Kristine Harley wrot >I don't have an opinion as to someone's innocence or guilt when I have no knowledge >of the alleged crime. I don't pretend to know. But I am willing to give Joe at least >as much rights and consideration as Zakarias Moussaoui will receive. > Some time ago, Pam Taylor also wrote that the city council was weak on this issue (allowing Biernat to chair the PS&RS committee and also chair meetings that dealt with reform of the licensing board ordinance). I wholly agreed with that statement. At this point, it remains an appropriate issue for the entire council and the Mayor to discuss and come to a consensus, either in requesting a resignation or requesting that CM Biernat step down on leave until the trial is over.
Let's put it this way as well: the Mayor in the next few weeks will announce his ethical and conflict of issue priorities and guidelines regarding, we can presume, proper behavior and actions of government officials. It's supposedly one of the hallmarks of the new administration: clean government. But, is the Mayor's group that is putting together the guidelines and recommendations hamstrung in any way (and I mean in any way) by personal knowledge, loyalty, feelings about CM Biernat, who may be a friend, colleague, even an ally on some important issues. Ultimately, will his presence on the council now affect how the ethical guideline group makes its recommendations concerning ethical behavior of CMs? Is it fair to us that Biernat's desire to remain--as well as support from CMs in his remaining-- makes us raise this question? Put another way, how does CM Biernat's desire to remain in his position, with the obvious implicit support of all CMs and the Mayor, affect the way the ethical guidelines are developed and put together in any way? We are all losing in this process simply because no one at the council or mayoral level has raised significant issues with respect to an indicted CM remaining in a position of trust and power, with no safeguards for constituents such as asking him to step down or take a leave while the trial occurs. I'm flabbergasted by the lack of leadership on this, as it will ultimately lead to additional cynicism when the Mayor announces his clean government findings and recommendations. Does anyone see this? Gregory Luce Project 504/Minneapolis (North Phillips) _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
