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DAVE GREENSPAN, CUYAHOGA COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE –
DISTRICT 1 |
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PROPOSES STRONG COUNTY
ETHICS REFORM WHICH WILL HELP GENERATE JOBS |
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Westlake, OH March 24, 2010
– Dave
Greenspan, candidate for the Cuyahoga County Council –District 1,
announced today a proposed Ethics Ordinance designed to provide guidance
for those who represent the County. Greenspan believes that the first
step in building and rebuilding the county’s economic engine is to adopt a
comprehensive Ethics Ordinance. “It is becoming increasingly clear to me
that the creation of new jobs and sustained economic growth in Cuyahoga
County can only occur when the business community believes that it is
partnering with a governmental authority that prides itself on having a
solid ethical foundation.” Greenspan states. |
Greenspan’s
fundamental belief in proposing an Ethics Ordinance can best be defined
as:
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“The County
government is a representative democracy. Those who are elected,
appointed, hired, volunteer or campaign to serve the public as
representatives accept a public trust, which they share with those
whom they elect, appoint, hire or otherwise enlist to help them
serve the public. Public trust requires that acts which are contrary
to the public interest be defined and prohibited; that there be an
orderly procedure for raising and addressing ethical questions; that
ethical behavior be encouraged and suitably rewarded; and that
unethical behavior be discouraged and suitably disciplined through a
process which is fundamentally fair.” |
The
Greenspan Proposed Ethics Ordinance includes a set of Proposed Rules and
Procedures as well as Proposed Bylaws for the Board. The Ordinance
would:
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Creates a
five person Board of Ethics |
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Defines
conflicts of interest |
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Establishes
guidelines for acceptable public service performance and behavior |
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Defines
behavior and activities that are contrary to public trust, and |
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Provides a
process to which alleged violations are to be reported, investigated
and administered |
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Greenspan draws on his
experience of being a charter city councilmember in Sandy Springs,
Georgia, a new city of 85,000 residents, which shortly after its
incorporation received a “City of Ethics” award. “It is my belief that
due to the city’s adoption of an ethics ordinance, Sandy Springs was able
to attract and retain businesses.” This distinction was further validated
in May of 2009 when Sandy Springs was ranked by Forbes.com as one of “America's
Top 25 Towns To Live Well” (
http://tinyurl.com/cox7hj
).
One of the defining characteristics of this designation is cultivating a
“pro-business environment.” “I strongly believe that by having a strong
Ethics Ordinance in place, Cuyahoga County will be able to rebuild its
reputation in the business community and regain its position as an
economic hub in the region and nation.”
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Recently, Forbes.com
(February 18, 2010) declared Cleveland as the Most Miserable City in
America citing among other items “high unemployment” and “corruption
by public officials” (
http://tinyurl.com/ye2z2pv
).
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Greenspan feels that before we can expect the business community to
believe that the new form of government will be different than the
government structure it is replacing, the new form of government must make
sweeping and dramatic changes designed to demonstrate that the Cuyahoga
County Council will be more proactive in addressing fundamental issues
that have plagued this area for many years. Greenspan says, "I'm
offering this Proposed Ethics ordinance to jump start the process of
providing real solutions to real problems." He continues, "This is
the first step in rebuilding the confidence of our residents and
businesses alike."
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To view the
proposed Ethics Ordinance, click here:
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For more information on Greenspan’s campaign, visit
www.DaveGreenspan.com |
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Requests for interviews should be emailed to
dave@DaveGreenspan.com |
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The 2010 Primary Election
is on Tuesday, September 7, 2010. |
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Friends of Dave Greenspan; Mary Kim
Elkins, Treasurer;
30628 Detroit Rd, Ste. 210, Westlake, OH 44145
Contact Treasurer |
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