[StBernard] Ethics Question

[Westley Annis]

Generally, from what I've seen in state Attorney General opinions, there is
no state rule that prohibits a parish government employee from serving on an
advisory panel of a private corporation.

The questions to ask when trying to decide if it is ethical or not, are
these parish officials serving on the CAP in their official status of parish
government or as private citizens? What type of authority does the CAP have?
What is the ratio of private citizens to government representatives on the
CAP?

I don't really know the answers to any of these, but I am going to say, from
a distance, I don't think there is any ethical problem.

The CAP's don't have any real authority, the most they can do is make
suggestions. I also would think that you would want certain members of
parish government to be on the CAP, the fire chief being a prime example.

One last thought, your ethics and my ethics will be different. That is the
problem with ethics, they are rooted in opinion only and no two people will
share the same opinions and ethics.

Westley


-----Original Message-----

Is it ethical for councilmen and parish president, the fire chief and
director of homeland security to be members of Community Advisory Panels for
local oil companies?  What about the monthly dinners at these CAP meetings
with local industry?
 
St Bernard has a new ethics committee.  How does one submit ethics
questions?