Despite a lackluster public response in the past, the county
will hold a forum this month aimed at providing information to
residents and groups that may be interested in forming an ethics
committee to oversee political campaigns in San Benito County.
Hollister – Despite a lackluster public response in the past, the county will hold a forum this month aimed at providing information to residents and groups that may be interested in forming an ethics committee to oversee political campaigns in San Benito County.
First broached in the summer of 2004, the issue of an ethics committee has been dormant since a sparsely-attended workshop on the subject was held in July. It became active again during the Jan. 24 Board of Supervisor’s meeting when Chairwoman Pat Loe asked County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson if there has been any progress in forming an ethics committee.
Thompson said her office has not been contacted by any people or groups interested in forming a committee, but would schedule a meeting in February where interested parties could get information about how to form some kind of nonprofit group that would act as an ethics committee. A specific date and time has yet to be determined.
“I really think we have to keep it moving forward,” Loe said after the meeting.
The idea for an ethics committee was proposed in August, 2004, a few months after then-Supervisor-elect Jaime De La Cruz beat incumbent Bob Cruz for the District 5 supervisor seat by 10 votes amid suspicion of election fraud. The ethics committee has been envisioned as an outlet for candidates to air concerns about political opponents who may use false or misleading information in their campaigns. In April, the Board voted to scrap the idea. Then in July supervisors reversed course and held a workshop on the topic.
The Board of Supervisors has been generally supportive of the creation of an elections watchdog in the county. But supervisors have made it clear they do not want to have a hand in forming the organization, creating its bylaws or appointing members to it. Supervisors are concerned that taking part in forming an ethics committee would be a conflict of interest, because the committee would also monitor their campaigns for reelection. Also, they do not want the county to share any liability should legal challenges be made against the decisions of the committee.
“I think everyone on the Board feels more than happy to facilitate something,” Supervisor Anthony Botelho said. “But it still needs to be carried out by a non-partisan group.”
Loe agreed, saying that if residents needed some assistance, such as advice from a county attorney, to form an ethics committee she would like to see the county help. But, she added, the committee should be independent from the Board of Supervisors.
Though the talk of creating an ethics campaign hasn’t spurred much action from residents, Botelho said he thinks the public interest about the subject may be increased because 2006 is an election year. Loe said that, though she thinks it’s too late to form an ethics committee for the current election cycle, simply bringing the ethics discussion to the forefront may work to ensure ethical campaigning this year.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
