Turner supported; ethics still questioned By ANNETTE ESTERHELD Staff Writer
The City Council spent its first hour of business Monday night listening to speaker after speaker plead for the council to end what at least one speaker called "a political witch hunt" against Mayor Pro Tem Todd Turner. They spoke about Turner's character, calling him a "good man." They told of his support for the issues in their communities. They begged the council to ignore the findings of its Ethics Commission that recently stated Turner's dual roles as City Council and employee of the Prince George's County Council was a violation of the city's Ethics Ordinance, a part of the existing city code.
What wasn't said Monday night was the fact that Turner solicited that support by sending an e-mail requesting people to attend the council meeting and speak on his behalf or send an e-mail to his colleagues.
The Blade-News has obtained a copy of that e-mail. In it Turner states, "I am again subject of a city Ethics Commission order that will, if approved by the City Council, force me to choose between serving you on the council and my full-time position working for the county."
Turner further states in his e-mail that the commission found in November 2006 "that my position with the county did not create a conflict or appearance of conflict."
"However, the Ethics Commission, an advisory body to the council, has issued another decision that reverses that finding despite my job being the same as in November 2006," Turner goes on to say.
Yet the Ethics Commission resolution and order said that Turner sent a letter to the commission dated Feb. 15, 2007 stating that "he had been assigned additional duties. The duties described by Mr. Turner in that letter were to assist the Prince George's County Council's General Assembly Committee with state legislation that may impact the County Council or the county."
The commission responded to Turner's letter telling him he needed to either remove that item from his job description or resign from the City Council and it gave him 30 days to make the change. Turner responded by saying he refused to quit and because the commission was delivering an advisory opinion and not responding to an official compliant against Turner the commission said its work was done.
But, like speakers said Monday night, once again a complaint was filed against Turner in May 2007. The current resolution and order by the commission is its response to the complaint filed then.
Several speakers including resident John Allender encouraged the council to ignore the commission's finding. Allender, who lives in Turner's district, said "our votes have spoken. I do not want an unaccountable committee making decisions on who represents me on the council."
Resident Tom Nicholas said the commission are "volunteers and do not necessarily understand how government works." Allen Knotts, Mike McDiarmid and several other residents said the ethics ruling "should be put aside."
The Ethics Commission is defined in the city's code as an advisory body responsible for interpreting the ethics ordinance contained in the city code and acting on complaints brought before it. The ethics ordinance was adopted following state regulations.
It also has the responsibility of investigating any complaints filed with the commission alleging a violation of any of the provisions of the ethics ordinance. The current ruling from the commission is the third time a complaint was filed against Turner citing concerns with his dual employment. It stems from a complaint filed by Bowie resident Steven J. Krukar, who asked the commission if Turner's participation in the March 5, 2007 City Council discussion and vote on the Melford issue constituted a violation of the Bowie Ethics Code because the ultimate decisions on developments such as Melford are made by the County Council, Turner's employer at the county.
Turner sent out an e-mail to his constituents Tuesday thanking them for their help and support in his ongoing ethics issue. "I am truly humbled and appreciative of the response from the residents of the 3rd District and the city. Last night the City Council heard from 15 speakers in support to my continued service on the City Council," he said in the e-mail.
Turner also said he and his council colleagues have received over 30 e-mails from people not able to attend the meeting, all expressing their support for his continued service on the council.
Maryland Delegate James W. Hubbard was one of the speakers Turner thanked. Monday, Hubbard quoted from the state's ethics guide.
"The actions we all take are continuously judged by those who vote to send us to whatever office we are seeking to obtain," said Hubbard, who has been a state legislator for 16 years. "There will always be to somebody a perceived conflict of interest, especially where state legislators, county councils and municipal councils are part-time. The answer is not a full-time government, but a trust in those who sought and won the office. In the end each elected official will be judged by their actions, explanations and fact on why those actions were taken."
Hubbard told the Blade-News Wednesday that the city should "take action and put this behind them so they can get back to business."
He also said there are many "issues of much greater magnitude, like education, transportation and the hospital situation."
Turner formally asked the council Monday night to review the recommendations of the Ethics Commission. He said in his e-mail to his constituents that "I am hopeful that the public display of support and my policy and legal arguments will persuade the council to find a reasonable solution for all."
