During the discussion of Mr. Wein’s appointment, Councilman Dunn agreed with Councilman Hodge, who was voicing approval of Mr. Wein (58 minutes into the meeting per my video, but then voted with Councilwoman Broomell. As more than one person said, Councilwoman Broomell gave him “the look” and he fell in line. The audio version on the county website, I believe is segmented, not continuous. My video is having difficulty being uploaded to YouTube for some reason.

At 56 minutes Councilwoman Broomell mentions she talked to the chairperson of the ethics board about the form Mr. Wein had to fill out. I find that unethical and this is not the first time it has happened, but unfortunately it is not unethical per the county code. Since the board is to remain neutral, as the chairperson has said in public meetings, any future requests for private conversations should be denied by the chairperson or any other member of the board.

The chairperson is a good friend of Councilwoman Broomell, but that is not an excuse for private conversations. If information is needed for the council’s decision -making, the chairperson should have testified during the public meeting. Actually I, and others I have overhead, find the attendance of board members at the public meetings and the numerous private conversations observed in the public areas of the administration building between one particular member of the board and Councilwoman Broomell to be beyond the pale. Such actions undermine the supposed neutrality of the ethics board.

I suggest that if the board members, for the good of the ethics board and transparency, are not be able to refrain from such conduct, that they resign from the ethics board. Additionally, if the ethics board members continue this practice, findings they make in a case may be challenged on the basis of the board’s appearance of bias.