Ethics Investigation

[oldetowne]

Apparently, a complaint was made recently by a citizen to the town Board of Ethics against some or all of the members of the Town Council. At a Council meeting a couple of months ago, a parent handed out to free passes to the WHS production of "Oklahoma" to the Council members. Some Council members took advantage of these free passes and went to the show. It sounds like others didn't go and some who did go paid for their tickets anyway.

The Board of Ethics met last week or the week before and discussed the matter and found that the Council members who took the tickets may have violated the town's ethics code which prohibits gifts, etc., that could be viewed as trying to get influence since the Council is technically in charge of the budget for the town including WHS. They are going to have another meeting sometime next month to pursue this further.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

Undated letter was received by Town Hall and date-stamped: 'Mar 28, 2006". It read:

To: Town Clerk Town of Wethersfield
Fr: Melba Osgood

re: MInutes of the Town Council meeting of Feb 21, 06
Under 'General Comments'

I feel that Mr. Mason's comment should be referred to the Ethics Committee

The Council members should have made it known that his kind and well-intended offer was unacceptable.

The innuendo, if any, smacks of the past political scandal at our Governor's office.

A quote from Mar 15 issue of the Courant - "Elected officlas can't use their public capacities to gain leverage for personal benefit"

Thank You,
Melba D. Osgood,
45 Church St.,
Wethersfield, Conn.

cc: Ethics Committee
File

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

The referenced minutes read:

FEBRUARY 21, 2006
REGULAR MEETING

The Wethersfield Town Council held a meeting on February 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Silas Deane Middle School.

Present: Councilors Adil, Cascio, Drake, Forrest, Kirsche, Kotkin, Walsh, Deputy Mayor Fortunato and Chairperson Morin. Also present: Bonnie Therrien, Town Manager, and Dolores G. Sassano, Town Clerk.

All stood for the pledge of allegiance to the flag which was led by Councilor Drake.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
HEARING

ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 105 - NOISE CONTROL
No one wished to speak and the Chairperson declared the Hearing segment closed.

GENERAL COMMENTS
Arnold Mason, 644 Prospect Street, asked the Council to consider during budget deliberations the High School's need for funding for the oversized science lab classes, for an additional secretary, and for a position that will oversee the guidance department. Mr. Mason announced that Wethersfield High School will be presenting "Oklahoma" on March 3,4,10 and 11, and he offered each Councilor a certificate to redeem for a ticket to the show. He said that the students have worked very hard on the performance and the proceeds from the play will be put toward the refurbishment of the High School stage. Mr. Mason thanked the Council for all of the time and hard work they put in for the benefit of Wethersfield.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

Board/Commission News
Ethics Commission:
The Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center, Room S2, West Wing. The Town Council will be receiving a letter on this meeting, along with the complainant.

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

wethersfieldct.com/clerk/appointments.html

"Board of Ethics"*
Three-year Terms; Council Appointments; Code: Sec. 10-64 through 74(5)

• Robert L. Hirtle, Esq., Chr. (D), 5 Nutmeg Circle: 7-1-2004 to 6-30-2007
  
• Thomas W. Fitzpatrick, Esq. (R), 40 Whippoorwill Way: 8-15-2005 to 6-30-2008
  
• Keith A. Latulippe (U), 33 Woodland Street: 7-7-2003 to 6-30-2006
  
• George E. Steinmetz (D), 375 Brimfield Road: 7-1-2004 to 6-30-2007
  
• Penrose Wolf, Esq. (R), 23 Cheston Circle: 7-7-2003 to 6-30-2006
  
• ----- Alternates: (3 year term) (3) -----
  
• Christopher Healy (R), 27 Dorchester Road: 7-1-2005 to 6-30-2008
  
• John C. Lepper (U),932 Ridge Road: 7-1-2004 to 6-30-2007
  
• Cynthia L. Zuerblis (D), 119 Two Rod Highway: 7-1-2004 to 6-30-2007

* I hope that this has not been misspelled; I would hope that the members are not bored of ethics. ;D

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

2006.05.22
Monday

Dear Ms. Therrien and Ms. Sassano,

I recently noted that no copy of the minutes of any meeting of the "Board of Ethics" for the Town of Wethersfield has been posted on the Town's website, www.wethersfieldct.com .

I have also noted that there is no link to any page about this board on the Town's website.

• I have checked the "Hot Links" section and its drop-down menus {Services & Info; Contacts; and Boards & Commissions }on the Government Page of the Town's website, wethersfieldct.com/govt.htm .
  
• In none of these is to be found a link to the "Board of Ethics" or "Ethics Board" or "Ethics Commission".
  
• Only via the Clerk's webpage ( wethersfieldct.com/clerk/service.htm ) is to be found a list of members comprising each Board or Commission, including the "Ethics, Board of" ( wethersfieldct.com/clerk/appointments.html )

Since this web-based search has proved fruitless, I write.

Please inform me where the minutes of the Wethersfield Board of Ethics reside and who has custody of the originals and where copies of the originals may reside too.

It is my intention to view these minutes (for the last four years, inclusive of all for meetings held this year) at your earliest convenience. Please inform me when that might be.

I would also appreciate knowing when the last meeting of the Board of Ethics was convened this year, 2006.

I also suggest that, if these approved and unapproved minutes are resident in digital files on a computer or server, they be added to the minutes available to the public on the Town's server(s) as soon as possible.

Looking forward to hearing from you in this regard, I remain,

Sincerely,

Dr.Ken

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

This is my transcription of the page of the draft minutes which constitutes the "motion & votes" which by FOIA/CT must be available for public inspection within 48 hours of the adjournment of a public meeting, this one being held on 6/20/2006: the Board of Ethics.

It had been convened in response to a complaint raised about one or more town Councilors who availed themselves of the equivalent of free tickets to a WHS drama production.

... Committee member Penrose Wolf continued "Mr. Chairman, I move we find that the facts offered tonight are a violation of Section 10-66 of the Code of Ethics of the Town of Wethersfield and that the matter be referred back to Council [sic] with that finding for appropriate action" seconded by Committee member John Lepper.

There were no additional comments. Chairperson [Robert] Hirtle called for a vote. All members present, including the Chair, voted AYE. The motion passed with a unanimous vote, 5-0-0.

Chairperson Hirtle asked if there were any recommendations.

Committee member [Thomas] Fitzpatrick offered "The recommendation that Council be provided with training in the Ethics Ordinance, seconded by John Lepper.

Since there were no other recommendations, Chairperson Hirtle called for a vote. All members present, including the Chair, voted AYE. The motion passed with a unanimous vote, 5-0-0.

Chairperson Hirtle asked the Ethics Board to authorize him to communicate their decision to the Mayor [Russ Morin]. It was so moved by Committee member [George] Steinmetz and seconded by Committee member Penrose Wolfe.

Chairperson Hirtle called for a vote. All members present, including the Chair, voted AYE. The motion passed with a unanimous vote, 5-0-0...

[Dr.Ken Sokolowski]

Just in case there is anyone else out there who wondered about the use of the word "Council" in the first paragraph of the quoted Motions & Votes (to which I added [sic]), I inquired of the Town Clerk, was the intended word the provided "Council" or should it have been its homophone "Counsel"?

She just now responded, succinctly: "Council"

[SyZyGy]

Hartford Courant today reports that Wethersfield Ethics Board had rulled that "Taking Tickets To Be Wrong"

Yet ethics-pliable fat-cat State Representative-wannabe "Big Russ" claims that, "It doesn't make sense that this has turned into such a big deal," and further brushes off the unbiased, independent, ethics board determination of infraction as being just "politically motivated."

This is a guy who has taken the first step onto the great slippery slope of, can we sat it here, "political corruption" (rampant in CT and NJ for example) if he doesn't recant immediately.

A you want THIS guy as a State legislator?

[oldetowne]

Here's the whole article. It is a "small thing" that is at the root of the complaint, but the cavalier attitude and attempt to deflect the situation by calling it "politically motivated" should definitely raise a red flag with respect to the ethical compass of our "leader".

Ethics Board Rules Against Town Council

Members Should Not Have Accepted Tickets
July 12, 2006
By MARYELLEN FILLO, Courant Staff Writer WETHERSFIELD -- The town council violated the town's code of ethics when members accepted vouchers for free tickets to a high school student production in February, the town's board of ethics has ruled.

The board acted on a complaint filed a few weeks ago by local resident Melba Osgood.

The board said the town's governing body violated a provision prohibiting town officials from granting or accepting "any special consideration, treatment, favor or advantage beyond that which is generally available to all residents and/or taxpayers of the town." Each council member had accepted the vouchers for $10 tickets to the student production of "Oklahoma."

The ethics board met June 29 and filed its decision with the town clerk's office July 5.

"It doesn't make sense that this has turned into such a big deal," said Mayor Russ Morin. Morin said he did not use the voucher that was presented to each council member by Arnold Mason, a volunteer who works with the high school theater group, during a Feb. 21 council meeting. "I think this was politically motivated, but we will abide by the ruling."

Osgood said the council violated the code of ethics because free ticket vouchers were offered only to the governing body and to senior citizens.

"If the high school had invited the council to attend, rather than giving them vouchers that were worth $10, it would have been different," said Osgood. "I'm disappointed they didn't all say `thanks, but we can't accept gifts.'"

Morin and other council members said they are often asked to attend community events and pay their own way unless they are part of the program. In some cases, expenses are reimbursed by the town if their attendance is council-related, but in most cases council members, who do not receive a stipend for their work, pay their own way.

"We went to the play but donated $20 at the same time," said Republican council member John Cascio. "This is a lesson learned, but I think there are bigger issues in town than this."

As part of its decision, the board of ethics recommended that council members attend a training session on the ethics ordinance. The board also will recommend changes to the code of ethics that are expected to better define what the council is allowed to accept.

The recommended discipline, and any changes to the code, are ultimately approved by the town council.

"By town charter, the council implements the board of ethics' recommendations," said Town Manager Bonnie Therrien, adding that she expects the council will comply with the ethics board's recommendation. Therrien said she will arrange for the training session.

[morganika]

Russ should do well in his political career in Connecticut.
He already knows how to lie, cheat, and steal.

[standish]

Recently, there have been a number of controversial issues in Wethersfield. Passions run high. I appreciate that you feel strongly about the outcome. Yet, as far as I know, Russ has done what he said he'd do... agree or not. If you disagree with him, work for his defeat. If you agree, work for his election. Except for the fact that taxpayers will foot the bill to keep the lights on (We'll see whether any State or Town money is used to buy and install them), I'm not sure how you think he's lied, cheated or stolen. Nor do I definitively remember whether it was he, or others, who promised that no taxpayer money would be used for the lights. Yours are strong accusations that must be supported with fact, or, they border on libel, even for a public figure. You may want to re-word your statement.

Morganika... I appreciate your voice here. But, stick to facts rather than ad hominem. You make a stronger case with them.

[morganika]

What did I say that was not factual? I signed a petition that was pretty much thrown in the garbage, is that being honest?

[standish]

Lack of response is different from "lie, cheat and steal". It may not be right, or, even legal, to ignore a citizen petition. However, yours are different accusations.

If he lied, cheated and stole, when and where? Maybe abuse of power could be construed as cheating, if that's what you mean by the petition reference. If so, spell out your case and let our fellow travellers decide.

[SyZyGy]

morganika said:

Russ should do well in his political career in Connecticut. He already knows how to lie, cheat, and steal.

standish,
Whether by intention or accident, morganika has safely expostulated that Russ "already knows how to lie, cheat, and steal."

She did not say that he has done any of these.

Polish up your English, standish. You have stepped into a foggy bog, inferring more than she has stated.

morganika, you parried well with your rhetorical "What did I say that was not factual?"

standish: 1
morganika: 2
Match: morganika

p/s: morganika,
standish is on target when he recommended that you work for the defeat of well-handled Russ if you feel as strongly as you apparently do about him. Contribute to the max in time (volunteering to support the most palatable opposition candidate) and money. You and your cohorts could picket the polling places urging support for your candidate (outside the 75' marker) come 11/7/2006.