Controversy surrounds
Brockport's newly-formed ethics board

"How independent and fair-minded is an ethics committee if a board member - possibly a voting board member - is sitting on it?" was a question raised by resident Lisa Saeva. "I find this very problematic."

At the May 15 board meeting, appointments were being made to the Village of Brockport's newly formed ethics committee. The additions of Trustee Mary Jo Nayman and the mayor's self-professed best friend, Jim Sutton, to the roster for the ethics committee raised questions from board members and the public.

"I have concerns with Mr. Sutton being named to the ethics committee. He's your best friend and that could create problems," Trustee David Wagenhauser said. "How will he deal with being on the ethics committee? I just don't think that is a position he should be put in."

Mayor Mort Wexler spoke of Sutton's contributions to the community, the church and to the teaching profession. "This is a person who is ethical and whether he is my friend has no bearing on it. He has given more to this community than any other individual," he said. "I can guarantee that if anything comes up that involved a decision involving me he would probably excuse himself."

Wagenhauser said he wasn't questioning Sutton's contributions to the community.

Trustees Carrie Maziarz, Marie Castaneda and Nayman and Wexler voted for Sutton's appointment. Wagenhauser abstained.

Maziarz raised concerns with a trustee being appointed to the committee. "I think it's a conflict of interest to have a board member as a liaison to the ethics committee," she said.

Maziarz voted against Nayman's appointment to the committee. Castaneda, Wagenhauser and Wexler voted in favor. Wagenhauser did question the fact that board members are voting individuals to a committee in which the rules have not been defined.

"I find the ethics committee formation problematic," Saeva said. "You are appointing people to a board that has nebulous duties and are charging that board to come up with its own rules and duties. There should be guidelines laid out before people are appointed. It's premature to form this committee."

May 21, 2006