Full Disclosure
There is a relevant yet irrelevant piece of information I need to make everyone aware of concerning controversy around awarding of construction contracts to Councilmembers. I myself did business with the City for the first 3½ years that I was on the Council. I was providing advertising services under a 5-year contract that I was awarded for almost a year before being elected to the Council. The total amount of business I did with the City during those years was approx. $23,678. I have not done any business with the City since January, 2006.
It has been suggested to me, on more than one occasion, that this very fact makes me a hypocrite. I disagree with this position for one reason: there is a huge difference between designing a brochure or logo and building a million dollar road. The jobs I did were simple. I designed a brochure and the City printed it. Period. I was not required to be bonded. Nor did I have to regularly interface with numerous City employees including inspectors, engineers, road crews, and administration. To compare the two is like comparing apples and oranges.
In the near future I will further elaborate on my specific concerns arising from awarding construction contracts to a Councilmember.
Tags: City Charter, Conflict of Interest, Ethics