Thu Apr 30, 2009 at 03:45:00 PM EDT
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From PNJ:When he was running for Bergen County Democratic Chairman after Joseph Ferriero resigned, Michael Kasparian pledged a series of reforms which would "first and foremost include the implementation of an ethics training program for all candidates who desire the support of our party. This commitment will be similar to the state mandated program that all commissioners and authority members, myself included, must complete annually."
Now Kasparian has changed his mind. He's still offering the ethics training, which includes a written test, but he's making it optional. There will be no penalty for party leaders who decline to complete the training, take the test, or fail the test.
The lawyer for the BCDO says they can't compel County Committee members to take ethics training. But they really can: Kasparian can agree to deny the organization line to any candidate who does not pass the ethics training. It's not like they've had any problems in Bergen that oh I don't know, brought the chair to power that they would want to guard against future abuses. I've heard the saying if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, did it make a sound. Along those same lines, if someone takes the ethics test and fails it, but no one is told, did it really happen?
I think all public officials should have to go through ethics training. A bright line needs to be drawn through much of the grey area in this state. In addition, this would ensure that if they do break the law like many that have come before them, they can't say if only they would have known. |
| Jason Springer :: Ethics training still 'optional' for Bergen Democrats |
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