District Attorney Derek Champagne recently asked Franklin County legislators to update its Code of Ethics, an undertaking that has not been done since the document was adopted on Dec. 31, 1970.
Our question is: Why did it take a request from the county's top law-enforcement officer to realize this should be done?
Establishing, following and revising the rules of conduct to which they and every county employee are required to adhere should be a top priority to members of the County Legislature.
Instead, it is an issue that has been allowed to languish for nearly 40 years.
Champagne is seeking the update after allegations surfaced that several unnamed Franklin County elected officials may have benefited from proposals voted on when they come before the governmental body on which they sit.
Included is information about several contracts, easements and lease-option agreements involving proposed wind-energy projects in the towns of Burke, Bellmont and Chateaugay that have raised a number of concerns that, at its most serious, could constitute charges of bribery of a public official, according to Champagne.
The DA asked that elected officials in Franklin County review all similar agreements entered into since 2006 to determine if any were reached under less-than-ideal circumstances.
He also asked legislators to create a board of ethics to advise a municipality or individuals if they are unsure if a conflict of interest exists.
Some will explain the long passage of time with no updates or revisions by reaching for the old chestnut: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
It's true that once it is reviewed, there may be only a few minor changes or a handful of phrases tweaked before the document is finally updated.
But we believe the real point is that the county should have been championing transparency in government and setting the example for its municipalities by having its expectations of conduct and the integrity of its people as its uppermost priorities all these years.
We cannot think of a better way to build and retain the trust of the people they are elected to represent than to stand up for and exercise higher ethical standards.
Ethics may not be on the minds of each legislature on every level of government every day. The crush of important business certainly can relegate such considerations to a more remote priority. But making sure ethical behavior prevails always is important to the taxpayers and citizens who rely on government to do their bidding for them in a way they would do it themselves.
There surely are many reminders by careless or, worse, dishonest or unethical government operatives to keep the concern in the forefront.
It may be long overdue, but thanks to Champagne, it's now at least due, and that is something for Franklin County residents to be happy about.
Opinion
April 17, 2008
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