|
DONE GM: Gathering Conflict Info No Witch Hunt |
|
|
BackTalk
By BongHwan Kim
This is to address Greg Nelson’s article in the September 16 issue of City Watch: Déjà Vu All Over Again: DONE Off on Another NC Witch Hunt.
I appreciate CityWatch’s point of view but unfortunately it’s not accurate.
The effort to gather examples of conflict of interest is far from a
witch hunt. It is information that public policy makers need in order
to make a well informed decision on a matter of critical importance to
the future of the NC system.
I have heard stories about conflicts of interest and ethical issues for some time from my staff, council offices, NC board members, and stakeholders. CityWatch published a story about this very issue – Neighborhood Council Power Can Corrupt (D. Epperhart - August 22). The need to establish a baseline of any history of undue influence by Neighborhood Council members is being done to get rid of gossip and unsubstantiated rumors.
I am not interested in finding fault with NCs - if the fault lies anywhere it lies with city government for not addressing this important matter before now.
Mr. Martinez’s memo specifically asks the Field Staff to avoid naming the NC’s and the Board members and asked for both positive and negative examples. Unfortunately, because Mr. Nelson recently filed a Public Records Act request with DONE on this matter we will now be required to disclose possible references to specific NCs which I was hoping to avoid.
The lack of a systemic, standardized, and transparent remedy continues to affect some NC Boards’ credibility with stakeholders and elected leaders alike. I am approaching this issue proactively by creating a snapshot picture of how NCs have been attempting to deal with conflicts of interest on their own. Perhaps we can learn some lessons from the good examples and build policies and procedures to replicate them across all NCs.
I truly believe in the great potential for NCs to affect decision making in City Hall. There is no question that NCs are affecting the way City Hall works – this will only increase. I also see that along with growing influence comes a requirement for more transparency. It is important that the City Council know that NCs have addressed conflicts of interest in some systematic, consistent, and transparent way.
I have been and will continue to be the strongest advocate for Neighborhood Councils. That’s my job. However, being a strong advocate doesn’t mean hiding from or covering up controversial issues. My job is to support the building of an effective NC “system” which involves NCs advising and advocating their views as effectively as possible to city elected leaders who are the final decision makers on city wide policies.
I will not take a position on the ethics disclosure issue until I have conferred with more NC and city leaders. Some strongly believe that any type of financial disclosure requirement will greatly reduce NC board participation. Others believe that some type of financial disclosure is necessary if NCs are going to be given more ability to influence policy and resource allocation decisions in the city. I believe a workable solution lies somewhere in between.
This is also the direction that BONC has recently determined at its September 15th meeting. They will be writing letters to all the elected officials requesting that the matter be delayed until after the October 11th Congress when over 600 NC participants will be given an opportunity to better understand the issue and options and make up their own minds.
Of utmost concern to me is allowing the NCs enough time and good information in order to make an informed decision – especially on policy matters that affect them as directly as ethics disclosure. Toward that end, the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners will be holding two town hall style meetings to present and dialogue with Neighborhood Council leaders and stakeholders. We encourage you all to come out and weigh in on this important issue.
Date: October 7, 2008 October 11, 2008
Location: Palms Elementary School Auditorium
3520 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, Ca 90034 City Hall
200 N. Spring
Los Angeles, Ca 90012
Time: 6:30 pm, 11:30 and 1:15 pm
More detailed information on these meetings will be sent to all stakeholders shortly. This is a great opportunity for NC leaders to inform our elected officials on the best solution that will continue to support and build an NC system unlike any other in the country. (BongHwan Kim is the General Manager of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment.) _
CityWatch
Vol 6 Issue 77
Pub: Sept 23, 2008
|
