Loading...

The Wunderlich Code.

Posted by skyhawk on March 22, 2007 - 1:42pm

If we would call Council members the Honourable Mr./Mrs. Mayor/Councillor then we could assume that there is no need to codify political behavior. Unfortunately, politic is politics and from time to time our elected officials stray from being honourale.

I find it interresting that Mr. Wunderlich is proposing a code of ethics for his colleagues. Would it not be more appropriate if we the voters and taxpayers would be able to provide the input for proper behavior and transparency, if needed?

I have always assumed that my elected representatives are pretty level headed people and with few exceptions don't need charm school instructions etc., from one of their own.

I personally have only one pet peeve during Council meetings: Please eliminate IN CAMERA meeting; this reminds me too much of the old country where many major decisions which impacted taxpayers were made behind closed doors without debate and consultation.

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Buying into a Chivalric Code

Submitted by garym on March 22, 2007 - 6:03pm.

Seems to me, if I recall my history right, the Knights of the Round Table and indeed any of those devotees of Chaucer and Charlemaine were just as, if not more so, patently pre-selected by honourifics ... and yet they all codified their code, as did the Samurai, as does in fact the Officer Training in our own armed forces, and so too -- although I notice you didn't say anything about the codifying of policy posted at that time -- so too did Paul Martin, just after winning a rather nasty fight with Jean Chretien ;)

I really don't see where Mark's proposal is any different, and it smells a little like a sour-grapes flame-trolling to me to make such a fuss over it now. Even where everyone is a saint, it is nice to know where we stand, whether it is as a politician, or as a corporate officer (same thing really) or even as a humble commentator posting to our own personal blog. Was Sir Lancelot within his rights to grab some smookey with the buxom and so willing betrothed of his best friend and king? You need to know these things.

And besides, we do have a process for steering our stewards, and I don't know much about your Old Country since this one has been mine as far back as the Census Records can take me, but seems to me we have elections were we all get to choose the custodians of our money, and we have cyclic re-elections just in case we change our minds. Because we often do.

Now, I'll agree with you to a certain point: I think it would be wonderfully nice if our elected political stewards at all levels would post their intentions on their personal blogs ... and do this before they blurt them out to the House/Chamber. Can you imagine that? That's transparent government unafraid of making mistakes. Toss their fears, bury their egos and boldly just gather the gumption to say out loud precisely what's on their minds and then brainstorm a more foolproof proposal, and only then take it to the Table.

Maybe Melissa can slip us a sneak-peek copy ;) .. but even if we do get our armchair chance, we have to let it rest with the author of the document. That's why we put them there, to be the place where the talk stops and the stuff actually gets done ...

"The discussion is with the many, the decision is done alone" -- Zen proverb

All that aside, though, and recognizing that every government everywhere (except maybe Switzerland) is firmly convinced that laws, like sausages, should only be made in the backrooms of the shop, I think Mark is just putting his name on a document that was inevitable as our Corporation of the Town grows up into the multi-million business that it is: How can a councellor know what is right or wrong where the lines get fuzzy unless there is at least the intention expressed in some policy statement? I don't expect it will be perfect first-cut, few human endeavours have that sort of magic touch, but at least it gets the conversation started, gets the intention stated and that, in my chivalric guide at least, is a Good Thing.

garym: ict evangelist - musician - whatever

the code of ethics

Submitted by mmockler on March 22, 2007 - 6:48pm.

As always, I find comments and insights posted on this site interesting and thought-provoking.
And for a couple of comments of my own:
*anyone who has been to a council meeting recently knows that such a code is necessary.
*this was an election promise that Mark has fulfilled (reference 2006 campaign mailings or newspaper ads).
*and, the code that Mark has proposed is a public document now - so I will attach it. I know Mark would value any suggestions or improvements.

Here is the code:

It is hoped that this will be viewed by each Member of Council as a valuable added resource and guideline to assist them in fulfilling their mandate in an effective, open and efficient manner.
Town of South Bruce Peninsula
CODE OF ETHICS
for Members of Council
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula’s Members of Council fundamentally understand that;
1. the proper operation of democratic and representative municipal government requires that they be independent, impartial and responsible to the people,
2. there are open and proper channels for decision making and approval of policy,
3. conflicts between private interests and public responsibilities are unacceptable and must be avoided, and
4. as leaders of the community, they are held to a higher standard of behaviour and conduct.
Although areas of ethical exposure are generally consistent and understood in municipal governance, the following areas and guidelines have been specifically identified in our community, as being paramount to the municipal political process;
1. Roles and Obligations
2. Use of Information
3. Communications and Media Relations
4. Relationships with Staff
5. Gifts and Benefits
6. Conflicts of Interest
7. Use of Property
8. Transparency
9. Public Input
10. Professional Development
Accordingly this document will provide a guideline for elected officials in exercising their policy making role having regard to the statements and ideals as enunciated hereunder.
1. Roles and Obligations
Council Members recognize their mandate incorporates tasks to include;
 Fairly representing the diversity of community views in developing an overall strategy for the future of our Town
 Setting objectives and determining strategies to achieve Council's Corporate objectives in the Strategic Plan
 Achieving sound financial management, planning and accountability
 Being aware of and conversant with the statutory obligations imposed on Council as a whole, as well as each individual Member of Council

2. Use of Information
In their decision making process, Members of Council are sometimes privy to information which may be confidential or controversial such as, but not limited to "In Camera" meetings. It is expected that they will;
 Use "insider" information appropriately, so as not to be used to their personal advantage
 Use confidential information appropriately so as not to cause detriment or benefit to others
 Respect the status of confidential (personnel, legal, property acquisition) information until the matter ceases to be confidential as determined by Council
 Understand that they enjoy the same access rights to municipal information as any other member of the community, unless it is specifically relevant to a matter before the Council
 Only release information according to the provisions of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Individual Privacy Act.
3. Communications and Media Relations
Members of Council will accurately and adequately communicate the attitudes and decisions of Town of South Bruce Peninsula’s Council, even if they disagree with a majority decision of Council and will only convey their personal opinions so that;
 There is respect for the decision making processes of Council
 Official information related to decisions and resolutions made by Council will normally be communicated in the first instance to the community and the media in an official capacity by the Mayor or designate.
 Information concerning adopted policies, procedures and decisions of the Council is conveyed openly and accurately.
 Confidential information will be communicated only when and after determined by Council.
4. Relationships with Staff and Other Members of Council
Members of Council will;
 Acknowledge that only Council as a whole has the capacity to direct staff members to carry out specific tasks or functions through the CAO office.
 Refrain from using their position to improperly influence members of staff in their duties or functions or to gain an advantage for themselves or others.
 Refrain from publicly criticizing individual members of staff and council in a way that casts aspersions on their professional competence and credibility.

5. Gifts and Benefits
Members of Council will only;
 Accept gifts, hospitality or entertainment of a nominal value that could not be reasonably construed as being given in anticipation or recognition of special consideration by the Corporation.
 Accept hospitality or entertainment if the offer is infrequent (less than 2 or 3 times a year) and appropriate to the occasion. In these circumstances it is assumed that the nature of the business discussed is important enough to the Town that reciprocal arrangements should openly be made and charged to the Town.
 Members of Council will;
 Acknowledge that the Mayor will in his/her role, periodically receive and distribute ceremonial or other similar items
6. Conflicts of Interest
Members of Council will recognize their obligations to;
 Follow and respect both the letter and spirit of the provisions of the Municipal Act and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, 1994, as amended from time to time.
7. Use of Property
Members of Council will;
 only use Town property, equipment, supplies or services of consequence, for activities connected with the discharge of official duties or associated community activities having the sanction of Council or its Committees.
8. Transparency & Openness in Decision Making
Members of Council will endeavour to;
 conduct and convey Council business in an open and public manner (other than for those decisions of a personnel, legal or property acquisition matter) so that stakeholders can obtain the process, logic and rationale which was used to reach conclusions or decisions.
9. Public Input
Council will periodically use formal and informal opportunities to seek public input as a component of the decision making process which have broad impacts on the community. The purpose of the exercise will be to provide stakeholders with a mechanism to provide opinions and advice so that the widest range of views and information is available before final decisions are made.
Councilors shall avoid direct influence from special interest groups.

10. Professional Development
Members of Council have an obligation to promote, support, pursue and partake in opportunities for professional development, including but not limited to;
 AMO Conference
 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing seminars
 Provincial Professional Association Training Institutes (OGRA, AMCTO, PRO, ROMA, etc.)
 Provincial Municipal Council orientation sessions
Council Members are encouraged to stay updated on issues and trends so that they can be as efficient and effective as possible in the carriage of their duties and responsibilities.

IMPLEMENTATION
 At the beginning of each term, Members of Council will be expected to sign two copies of the Code of Ethics Document (one for themselves and one for the Clerk's Office) to convey to each other and all stakeholders that they have read, understand and accept it.
 A Code of Ethics component will be included as part of the orientation workshop for each new Council.
 Council Members are expected to formally and informally review their adherence to the provisions of the Code on a regular basis or when so requested by Council.

Respectfully submitted March 12, 2007

Councilor Mark Wunderlich

Again, comments/suggestions/improvements to this document would be welcomed!

Melissa Mockler-Wunderlich
519-935-3144 home
416-998-0112 cell

Wunderlich code/Chivalric code

Submitted by skyhawk on March 23, 2007 - 8:17pm.

I also had to dig deep and refer back to my basic philosophy notes from way back when to add another thought to my comments on the Wunderlich Code. John Locke told us in one of his thesis that government (council) derives its authority from a transfer or delegation of rights by members of the community (taxpayers),and that this authority reaches only as far as the purpose for which the transfer was made. Therefore, if our elected representatives decide to discharge this authority improperly or unethically,then we the people in a democratic system can choose not to vote for them at them next municipal elections.

Code of Ethics

Submitted by mxyzptlk on March 24, 2007 - 8:48am.

Code of Ethics is a good idea, although i question the ethics of Mockler and Wunderlich in not disclosing their relationship in the runup to the last election. Seems to me they were trying to pull the wool over everyone's eyes and stack council. Glad the public wasn't fooled. I don't think it is appropriate for council members to recieve gifts or other entertainment. Better to avoid it all together. Let's hope this code of ethics is not a distraction from the main business at hand which is making a decision on the EA. I need to call Yvonne and remind her that she campaigned against the pipeline..at least when she spoke to me.
kltpzyxm

code of conduct

Submitted by hockey17 on March 22, 2007 - 8:58pm.

So I saw this today in the Sun Times and now here.... first,let us think back to the previous council...this issue was brought forth on more than one occasion and defeated...while there was not always a recorded vote I do not remember Councillor Wunderlich wading into the fray then, and pushing for it...and yes on the campaign trail this did become a flash point...but many candidates spoke of it...now I read this document....most,if not all of the points are already included in the TBSP procedural bylaws or the municipal act....yes the words are good....but they are alresdy documented ..the expectation is that an elected official has already read/sworn an oath to uphold these very issues and govern themselves accordingly...so please the campaign is over and the ballots have been counted....stop trying for soundbites either written or vocal.....do your job...stop trying to rewrite already documented processes...spend time on doing the work...it does not need a spotlight..work on the budget/lighting/policing/fire services/roads etc....the job of council is not glamorous but it does have an important place in our lives....spend our tax dollars wisely and stop looking for accolades.

Hockey17: Why not?

Submitted by Dan O. on March 22, 2007 - 9:33pm.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=5932

Dan O.

song

Submitted by mmockler on March 22, 2007 - 10:05pm.

Hey I love that song!!!

You should hear the entire CD - it is awesome (not that I am biased in any way, shape or form!)

Melissa Mockler-Wunderlich
519-935-3144 home
416-998-0112 cell

Re: song

Submitted by Dan O. on March 22, 2007 - 10:12pm.

It actually wasn't too bad, but your last statement is suspect.

3. At arm’s length
At arm’s length is a tax concept describing a relationship in which the parties are acting independently of each other. The opposite, not at arm’s length, covers people acting in concert without separate interest, including individuals who are related to each other by blood, marriage, adoption, common-law relationships, or close business ties. Any individual substantially or wholly dependant on another individual for support is not at arm’s length from that person. Blood relations are considered to be individuals immediately related such as a parent, child, or sibling.

Dan O.