Ethics Panel To Rule On Council Appointment

By Steve Bigham

The Board of Ethics this week was expected to render an advisory opinion regarding what has become a controversial appointment to a Legislative Council subcommittee.

The request was initiated November 22 by council member Will Rodgers, who saw the appointment of Brian White to the finance committee as a conflict since it could be perceived by the public as an “appearance of impropriety.”

 Mr White, who was appointed to the committee to replace departed member Karen Blawie, joined current member Donald Studley. Both Mr White and Mr Studley are partners in the Danbury accounting firm of Studley, White & Associates PC.

“I don’t for a moment think that there’s conflict of interest here,” said Mr Rodgers. “But myself and several other members of the council are concerned that there is an appearance of impropriety.”

The Board of Ethics discussed Mr Rodgers’ request December 2 and ruled that he was not the proper party to request an advisory opinion pursuant to the Town Charter. In response, Legislative Council Chairman Pierre Rochman agreed to file the request, although he does not expect much to come out of all this.

“My position is if there is no conflict on the Legislative Council – where actual votes are taken – how could there be a conflict on a committee where only recommendations are made,” Mr Rochman said.

Mr Rodgers said the “writing is on the wall” is that the Board of Ethics will rule that there is no conflict.

“I’m pretty sure they’re going to bless it, which is fine by me, as long as we get a ruling,” he said. “In my mind, the prudent thing to do is check. That’s what the Board of Ethics’ purpose is.”

Mr White admitted he is confused by the whole issue and does not expect much to come out of it.

“Frankly, I don’t think there is any conflict or any appearance of it,” he said.