GOVERNMENT ISSUES

Local Board of Ethics 

Ethical Government is the least we can expect, and we should be prepared to demand it. 

The current local question is complicated, with a contentious history. 

• I take it very seriously and I’ve tried to learn what I can, but I’m not ready to take a stand for either side. I do stand on the side of Gov't openness, ethics and integrity.
• Our Charter replaces the MO Ethics Commission (MEC) with a local Board of Ethics. 
• As I currently understand the issue, our Local Board of Ethics may have been used to target one or more elected officials with baseless, politically motivated complaints. 
• I’m inclined to retain a local Board, adding penalties if feasible, for abusing the process.

Email privacy, “open records” requests, and Council Member communication with residents

• This is an area of personal interest to me. I've published research on privacy and security for online identity. I highly recommend reading it if you have trouble sleeping.
• In my current understanding, the situation is very clear: I support the initiative to modify the MO State law that currently requires municipalities to reveal private citizens’ private information in response to Sunshine requests. 

Term limits for volunteers

• I personally appreciate new perspectives and giving many folks a chance to serve;  
• I also value the experience and institutional memory that comes with lengthy service.
• Residents voted by a wide margin to tighten term limits for elected officials.
• Voter preferences for appointed citizen volunteers remains undetermined; meanwhile, 
• I think term-limited elected officials should be eligible to volunteer, without prejudice.