Tens of thousands of protesters demand free and fair elections in Russia

LAST FIVE GAMES

First Posted: 4/2/2012 Luzerne County Council members agreed to remove a clause in the proposed ethics code that temporarily bans council members from voting if they violate the charter by interfering with day-to-day operations. Council members agreed during a work session Monday that the provision would be unfair to citizens who put elected officials in office to make decisions. The proposed code contained a 30-day voting suspension for the first offense, a 60-day suspension for the second offense and a 120-day suspension for the third. County Manager Robert Lawton said council members found in violation could abstain from voting on specific matters associated with their offense. The council also rejected a recommendation from the ethics commission to up the fine for violations from $1,000 to $3,000. The fine is $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second and $300 for the third. Most council members said the existing amounts are a deterrent, noting the council members receive $8,000 per year. Council Chairman Jim Bobeck said council is keeping the punishment of censure, or a public reading of an offense at a council meeting. The ethics commission appointed by council decides whether violations have occurred and polices the entire code. Bobeck said the embarrassment of censure likely would be the most painful for violators. &amp;ldquo;In my opinion, that is far worse than any monetary punishment because it&amp;rsquo;s a public reprimand,&amp;rdquo; Bobeck said. Council members also agreed to add a clause to the code prohibiting county staff solicitors from privately representing individuals or companies that are suing the county. The council will hold another work session, probably on April 17, to finalize the wording of the ethics code. The proposed personnel code was also discussed Monday and is slated for adoption at the April 10 council meeting. Drafts of both documents may be viewed under the county council section of the county website, www.luzernecounty.org.

County council revisits parts of ethics code