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| City Councilman Lee, Whetham |
Its, another occasion I agree with Councilman Whetham actions during the recent Council meeting on May 17th. First he voted against a quick fix code of ethics, he was correct in his analysis of the code which was drafted during the time when City Council member Max Mania was around causing all kinds of turmoil that led the council to draft how council members are to engage the public. Currently, the code provides a shield between the council and the public. They can in essence hide under their desk as it were, avoiding questioning from the public, and media. Bridling their tongue in expressing their opinion outside of a meeting.
Secondly, he was correct in recusing himself from discussions regarding the selection of choosing an ethic compliant panel to investigate the latest compliant which was filed against him, along with the other council members mentioned in the complaint: Collins, Merideth, and Bruch. Whetham wasn't buying the line that city council or staff were making that it would be okay for Whetham to stay and make the selection, since recusing himself, and others who would also recuse themselves would create a lack of a quorum. " If it smells like a fish, is a fish" Whetham was quoted in saying in the video clips below. So he dismissed himself. So, did Merideth who was quoted in saying: "damn if you do, damn if you don't"
Even Whetham hinted the reasons why the current code was drafted, which I mentioned to him during a break at the city council meeting. Whetham is quoted in saying in a PDN interview Wednesday saying: This is just another problem I see with the ethics code that we have, Whetham said. I think it was actually adopted to go after a certain council member, Whetham said in an interview Wednesday, adding that he was referring to former City Council member Max Mania.
So yeah, I agree the whole code of ethics needs to be redone! The main reason why I ran for office back in 2013, was to confront Mania and his actions. Unfortunately he decided not to run for city council, and left town.
See video commentary
References
Staff memo regarding Ethics code:
Revised edition which the Council approved of in a 5-1 vote:
"That Board shall hear and determine all complaints and claims made against that public official that are based on behavior arising from a single act or course of conduct. Once that Board has concluded its proceedings, no other complaints or claims may be made against the same public official alleging a violation from the same act or course of conduct. "
Related news article from the PDN: Port Angeles revises ethics code, will narrow scope of ordinance---PDN
Quote from the article posted: " I've got a problem with this ethics code in its entirety, he said. I think its ill-conceived and definitely full of holes. I would rather not support any type of changes until we have had a larger conversation about this entire code. Though Councilman Michael Merideth joined the majority, he agreed with Whetham that more should be done."
Following are video clips your truly recorded, all having to do mostly with the hot topic of ethics:
City Council pt 1
City Council meeting pt 2
City Council meeting pt3
City Council pt 4
City Council pt 5
City discusses their joint meeting with Port Commission
Clallam County gets new Heath and Human Services Director Andrew Bradstad
Bradstad will replace retiring Iva Burks starting in June.
Agenda Items that were approved during the Meeting:
2a Amendment 2 with Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to add funding for contractors to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment
2b Contract extension for monthly maintenance and purchase order for hardware and software components to perform the phone & voicemail system upgrades
ADMINISTRATION
3a Resolution appointing an authorized representative and alternate for disaster assistance funding and administration
BUDGET
4a Notice that the following Supplemental Appropriations will be adopted by resolution on
May 31: Chemical Dependency Mental Health – Receipt of additional money from Washington State Department of Social and Health Services/$47,238
4b Resolution calling for a hearing to be held at 10:30 a.m., April 26, for consideration of the
following Debatable Emergencies: Health and Human Services, Chemical Dependency/Mental Health – Unexpended revenue from 2015 is being carried forward to the 2016 budget to pay for contracted professional services/$257,000 Sheriff’s Operations – Pay repair costs for Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle 329 that was damaged in an accident in April/$12,000
See video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf_xCDdKk1A
Related news story: Clallam panel names new HHS director, assistant director; takes action on Opportunity Fund grant---PDN
PORT COMMISSIONER EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER MEETING PROTOCOL
During their special meeting on Monday, the Port Commission was going over their bylaws. At one point during the discussion Port Commissioner Connie Beauvais made reference to the City Council meeting on Feb, 2nd meeting when the deputy mayor chaired the meeting, while the mayor was sick, yet was participating in the meeting over the telephone. Beauvais wanted to make sure that they were covered procedural issues regarding chairing meetings if the Port president is absent from the meeting due to illness, but participates over the phone.
See video clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqOq36Mzk1c&feature=em-upload_owner
see special meeting agenda items: http://www.portofpa.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/05162016-152
In other local news reports...
Port Angeles perjury allegation referred to state Attorney General---PDN
* I have a hunch this will be tossed out by the AG, simply because the video that is being used was done on an Iphone camera from a distance, and the video was dark, hard to tell what was going on when the Feb 2nd meeting of the city council was adjourned. IPHONES cameras are not very good for long range recording of events. You would have to sit right up close to the subject you are recording.
Peninsula Housing Authority to replace low-income units in Port Angeles---PDN
Clallam: Race forming for District 24 legislative seat; third candidate files for county commission---PDN
Party declaration requirement rubs presidential primary voters on Peninsula wrong way---PDN
PA Police Chief Selection Down To 5 Contenders---KONP RADIO
United Way of Clallam County selects new CEO---KONP RADIO
Clallam County Deputy Undergoing Stem Cell Treatment--KONP RADIO
PUD commissioners discuss solar project Monday---SEQUIM GAZETTE
Lasting dispute to manage agricultural impacts nears closure---SEQUIM GAZETTE
What's new at the Market: Bringing ‘Bountiful’ to the market----SEQUIM GAZETTE
ONRC Evening Talks--FORKS FORUM
Conservation plans guide landowners through the use of Best Management Practices that protect farm profitability and livestock health while also protecting natural resources like water quality and soil condition.
TIME TO BE TESTED FOR HEPATITIS C---FORKS FORUM
Fernie named president of Port Townsend Paper---PT LEADER
Burke seeks re-election to PUD---PT LEADER
Jefferson County public records case hits state Supreme Court---PT LEADER
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE STRAIT
Courthouse campers told to meet fire safety order or face ouster---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
Pipeline clears hurdle, critics worried by 7-fold tanker increase---TIMES COLONIST/ VICTORIA BC
NEB advances Trans Mountain oil pipeline---VICTORIA NEWS/ VICTORIA BC
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