The ethics question -- Columbia County Talk

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Subject: The ethics question

Author:
Ned Depew

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Date Posted: 17:24:58 07/29/05 Fri

Friends -

should we be concerned about the ethics of political cronies apparently using their offices to enrich one another? Should we accept that that is the way our tax dollars are spent, or should we hold our politicians accountable and remove from office those who at least appear to have acted in a manner that is ethically questionable?

I'm referring to the appearance of a "quid-pro-quo" deal that got Mayor Scalera the Republican (and Conservative and Independence Party) endorsements in the last election - guaranteed by the leader of the Hudson Republican Party, Dan Grandinetti.

Then, within months of the conclusion of the election, the Mayor (and his shrinking majority on the City Council) - elected with Grandinetti's help and support - creates a new, very-well-paid, appointive job within the City Government. This job is not covered under Civil Service, so the appointee doesn't have to meet any formal qualifications in terms of education or experience. The Mayor more or less has carte blanche to appoint anyone he wants.

And whom does he choose - without any effort to create a competitive job search to seek out the best qualified candidate who might do the best job for Hudson's youth? Why, he picks Dan - the very person who hepled to insure his election and that of his cronies on the City Council!

What can we say about the ethics of those who would use their elected offices in that way? What can we say about someone who would accept such a job, that has to carry at least the appearance of an exchange of favors to even the most naive and innocent voter.

I used to like Dan and I used to trust him, but I have to say that these actions, coupled with his flip-flop on his pledge about having no interest beyond the youth of Hudson and no political ambitions, have made me think that he is not what he says he is.

I don't believe that someone who would seek to enrich himself at public expense through such insider, back-room dealing as appears to have happened here is an honest person who can be trusted. Without a clear explanation from Dan that demonstrates that there was no cronyism operating here (and frankly I can't imagine what that might be) I'm sorry to say I couldn't possibly support him for Mayor, or even give credit to his general integrity.

Are others troubled by this? What do you think it says about Dan's character, and the way he operates? What do you think we could expect from him if he were elected?

Could we expect Rick to be appointed to a lucrative position (paid for with our tax-payer dollars) to reward him for suporting Dan? Is that the kind of government Hudson wants and needs?

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