Tribune on city council conflicts of interest: "An ethics code would be nice"

Earlier in the week, we pointed out the painfully obvious, something that must be done far too often in the city that education forgot:

She may be the only one who doesn't get it, although the council might assist her in finding it.

Several of the other council members have expressed that they believe Benedetti's voting on her brother's business is a conflict of interest. Unfortunately, none of them have the fortitude to actually bring it up when it's relevant- during council meetings prior to votes.

Happily, the Tribune is chiming in, too.

JEERS ...

to New Albany council member Diane McCartin-Benedetti for again voting on official city business that involves a project developed by her brother, Gary McCartin. The council woman has told constituents that she still votes because she has no direct benefit from the projects. What’s surprising is that very few people in elected positions seem to be questioning this. It’s obviously a weak — if not totally invalid — argument.

As a journalist, I abide by an ethics code that I will “avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived” and “remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.” These are just a local journalist’s ethics. Shouldn’t we expect even more from elected officials?

An ethics code would be nice to see in our local council chambers, but I doubt the current council president has the desire to see more logic impact his gavel-wielding duties. Maybe this is something the county party leaders — Dave Matthews and John Wilcox — can make happen?

— Tribune Publisher Steve Kozarovich

I was going to write the council woman and ask for a statement, but neither she nor her somnalent colleague Steve Price have published their e-mail addresses. Maybe the Highwayman can do the necessary research.

That’s right: It is 2009. It's just hard to tell sometimes, that's all.