Ethics are defined by Mr. Webster as a set of moral principles. Moral principles aren’t something necessarily expected to be legislated, but on Kaua’i they are for the Kaua’i County government. Composed of five members, the county Board of Ethics
Ethics are defined by Mr. Webster as a set of moral principles.
Moral principles aren’t something necessarily expected to be legislated, but on Kaua’i they are for the Kaua’i County government.
Composed of five members, the county Board of Ethics has a variety of duties. One of the most important jobs, according to board member Georgia Mossman, is evaluating the public disclosure forms filled out by many county employees.
“A lot of people don’t realize that everyone in top jobs in each department, and members of all boards and commissions (in the county) have to fill out a disclosure form,” Mossman said.
The statements, which are public records, seek general information on occupation, gross income, including sources other than employment, creditors and real property.
Joining Mossman, a former reporter for The Garden Island, to look over these forms and act in an advisory position when solicited on other matters are the board’s chairman, Mark Fernandes, Pauline Ventura, Mark Hubbard and Patti Pantone.
The board meets as needed, as often as twice a month and at other times once every two months.
Mossman said the board sponsored a workshop on the island last year, featuring Daniel Mollway, the executive director of the state Ethics Commission.
Mossman said the Kaua’i County board would like to make such an event an annual or at least bi-annual occurrence to remind officials, and board and commission members, that being honest, following guidelines and avoiding the appearance of conflict of interest “builds trust in our government.”
The Board of Ethics also handles requests for advisory opinions. Public officials often want to do something but don’t wish to be caught in a conflict of interest.
The board is complied by charter to render an advisory opinion within 30 days and then publishes a summary of the opinion, with names of individuals deleted. The opinions are available for public review.
Under the county charter, the board can file impeachment proceedings in Circuit Court, although Mossman said such drastic action hasn’t taken place on Kaua’i in recent memory.
The state and county ethics boards were founded in 1968 and 1969, respectively.
Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net
