Here & There Column 8-9-11

A Definition Of Ethics

Ethics among members of the Sullivan County Legislature, resignations of Ethics board members and the real definition of the word "Ethics."
Let's first take Webster's Dictionary definition of the word Ethics.
Ethic--a principle of right or good conduct, or a body of such principles. Ethics--the study of of the general nature of morals and of specific moral choices.
Two fairly strong defining definitions.
The whole issue of Ethics and the conflict of interest section of the county code has become somewhat of a hot topic throughout the county as a result of Legislators Jodi Goodman and Leni Binder's controversial acceptance of tickets to Stuart Salinger's box seats at Bethel Woods with Salinger also requesting that acreage he owned in Forestburgh be included in an expanded agricultural district.
When it came time to vote on the proposal both Binder and Goodman abstained from the vote.
Both Goodman and Binder have made claims they have done nothing wrong and basically we would have to agree with them, but, placing themselves in the position they did could have very easily been avoided by simply not accepting anything from anyone.
Legislators, board members and anyone in the political structure should think before they take any freebies of any type because its only going to come back to explode in your face.
It is easy to understand why the general public gets up in arms when matters like this get aired and many times they have a right to question issues like a potential conflict of interest wherever it rears its ugly head.
We don't believe that the resignations of Phyllis Coombe and Richard Martinkovic from the county's Board of Ethics had anything to do with what took place with the two county legislators. Both Martinkovic and Coombe are highly respected in county circles.
We agree with Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis that the "conflict of interest" section of the county code needs special attention.
If a lesson is learned here we say lets get on with providing a government that everyone can afford.