Health & Fitness
WHEN IS THAT ETHICAL LINE CROSSED?
In New London politics in the last twenty two or more months the terms “ETHICAL”, “INTEGRITY”, “HONOR’ “HONESTY and similar terms have been tossed around often.
History indicates that those that use the term most often in reference to themselves are the least likely to possess of demonstrate the attributes of such terminology.
“ETHICAL”
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adjective
1. Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.
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2. Being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, especially the standards of a profession.
“INTEGRITY”
1. The quality of being honest and fair
2. Conduct that conforms to an accepted standard of right and wrong (demonstrated that he was a man of integrity by taking full responsibility for his actions)
3. Faithfulness to high moral standards (a politician of great honesty and integrity)
Focus on these two terms.
The claims of “I have integrity” and “I conduct myself ethically” are thrown around as if the statements should be taken as truth because of the mere fact that the words were spoken. Nothing could be farther from the reality.
Looking at the minutes from the New London City Council Finance Committee Meeting of April 29, 2013:
Page 2 is of interest:
President Passero moved the following modifications to the Mayor’s proposed budget:
$400,000 removed from the Education budget to the City Government Budget; a $458,640 reduction in the Unemployment Compensation Fund; a $62,600 reduction in the Disability Retirement; Parking Garage showing a revenue of $50,000 transferred in from the General Fund; additional State Grants of $788,789; changes made to the expense line items: add $250,000 to the Library for a total of $550,000; add $88,000 to Youth Affairs for a total of $100,600; add $176,000 to Recreation for a total of $400,000; add $229,400 to the Senior Center for a total of $240,000; add $325,000 to Public Works for a total of $7,294,998; add $325,000 to Fire Department for a total of $5,778,320; add $50,000 to Development & Planning for a total of $380,071; $25,000 reduction in Health Insurance, $25,000 reduction Worker Compensation, $8,370 reduction in Liability-Auto-Property, rounding tax increase to 3.39% for an additional $125,000 in revenue thereby increasing Police Budget by $500,000. Councilor Sprecace seconded for discussion.
Keep in mind that President Passero is a fire fighter and has vowed to steer clear of fire department issues maintaining his personal integrity and keeping within the ethical boundaries and avoiding any perception of a conflict of interest. Yet here it is in the Finance Committee meeting minutes where Passero makes the motion to move $325,000 into his own department. This was a self-serving move that directly benefits him as a New London fire fighter. Was an ethical boundary breached? Was this an ethically sound action? Was this in line with the statements that Passero made with respect to his personal integrity and how he would conduct himself as a city councilor and council president?
In New London there is a huge problem with matters of ethical behavior and personal integrity. We have people in positions of leadership that clearly think that the public cannot or does not remember what these people say, or people like the president of the council do not remember what they say and do.
The motion passed 2-1. Those voting in favor: Macrino, Passero. Those voting against: Sprecace.
These are the facts people!
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