Support Needed: DeKalb Co. Ethics Board

Many of us remember that voters approved the establishment of a much-needed DeKalb County ethics board a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, because of the way its members were selected, its existence was challenged and undone in court. (For a brief history and update see https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/disagreement-between-house-senate-could-derail-dekalb-ethics-fix/5ioX3i3B8FU1bJHlFN7UMN/)

There is action in the legislature this year to undo that damage and create a new ethics board whose members must come more directly from the voters or their representatives than the earlier version. This action should resolve the problems the court found and create a strong, objective, and independent ethics watchdog group. But there is also the predictable opposition.This issue is important for the future of the county and the integrity of OUR government. The MANA Board urges you to contact the following members of the DeKalb County delegation to the Georgia House of Representatives as soon as possible to let them know how you feel.

Karen Bennett (094) karen.bennett@house.ga.gov

Doreen Carter (092) doreen.carter@house.ga.gov

Viola Davis (087) viola.davis@house.ga.gov

Karla Drenner (085) dren16999@aol.com

Rebecca Evans (083) becky.evans@house.ga.gov

Michele Henson (086) michele.henson@house.ga.gov

Scott Holcomb (081) scott.holcomb@house.ga.gov

Vernon Jones (091) vernon.jones@house.ga.gov

Dar'shun Kendrick (093) vernon.jones@house.ga.gov

Billy Mitchell (088) billy.mitchell@house.ga.gov

Bee Nguyen (089) bee.nguyen@house.ga.gov

Mary Margaret Oliver (082) marymargaret.oliver@house.ga.gov

Renitta Shannon (084) renitta.shannon@house.ga.gov

Pamela Stephenson (090) pam.stephenson@house.ga.gov

Michael Wilensky (079) mike.wilensky@house.ga.gov

Matthew Wilson (080) matthew.wilson@house.ga.gov

N.B.:
Previous MANA posts pertaining to ethics reform in DeKalb can be accessed through this link.

DeKalb County launches ethics website

h/t AJC...

"The DeKalb Ethics Board was established in its current form in 2016 when a referendum vote overwhelmingly approved of the restructuring of the Board and the addition of a full time Ethics Officer. By law, the Ethics Board is completely independent of the DeKalb CEO, Commissioners and any officers or employees of DeKalb County government. 

The Board consists of 7 volunteer members who are appointed by independent organizations: the DeKalb Bar Association, the DeKalb Legislative Delegation, the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, DeKalb Universities, Leadership DeKalb, the DeKalb Superior Court Chief Judge, the DeKalb Probate Judge. The appointment of board members by independent organizations ensures that the Board is not established with an inherent conflict of interest – appointment of Board member by the same officials whom they also regulate. The Board Members serve staggering terms of three years."

The website, dekalbcountyethics.org, lists the Board's members, meeting schedule and minutes from past meetings, and links to the County's Code of Ethics (2015). Additionally, under "Advice" there are a series of case studies (organized by code or subject). Other links offer educational resources (definitions and examples pertaining to ethics) and recent filings.