[AsburyPark] Steps needed to forge trust

[gtscarano212]

Steps needed to forge trust Published in the Asbury Park Press 03/5/05 In unveiling a new series of steps aimed at rebuilding public trust in government, Monmouth County Freeholder Amy H. Handlin continues to reinforce her reputation as the county's champion of ethical reform. Handlin's latest proposal comes in the wake of what she described as the "odious behavior" of the 11 public officials arrested in an FBI bribery sting last week. Six of the officials were also county employees. Among them were the transportation operations manager, deputy fire marshal and assistant highway supervisor. All six were immediately suspended from their jobs. Handlin's reform efforts recognize the county's obligation to set the highest possible standard for ethical conduct. The centerpiece of her proposal is a call to ban county employees from holding elective office. Elected local, county or state officials would have to choose between their elected position or taking a county job. That's a choice career federal employees don't have because they are barred from partisan politics under the Hatch Act. That restriction is designed to insulate them from political influence, something the county should emulate. County jobs should filled on the basis of merit, not doled out to political partisans and friends. Handlin also wants the county to tighten contracting procedures and reduce potential conflicts of interest. She would like an independent oversight body to audit contracts and purchasing procedures, and would prohibit county employees involved in negotiating or approving contracts from accepting gifts or steering work to any firm that employs a family member. In addition, Handlin wants to require full disclosure of political contributions from companies that receive no-bid contracts. And she would like to see the county establish a confidential tip line for county employees who want to report unethical behavior. Handlin hopes the steps taken to ensure open, honest government at the county level, including the recent passage of a nepotism ban, will be copied by Monmouth County's 53 municipalities. So do we. Handlin says public officials must earn the public's trust. It is "a privilege, not an entitlement," she said. Her reforms can help facilitate that process. Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.