Planning Board Member and Utilities Committee Chairman, Lynn Wiles, responds to the Londonderry Times editorial Ethics in Government: Charting the Right Course the below letter was submitted to the Londonderry Times and posted on the TownUnderground Facebook page.
My letter to the Londonderry Times-
I believe that ethics in a democracy is a two-way street. The public expects that its governmental officials act with honesty, integrity, and respect. However, with this comes the expectation that the public act with honesty, integrity, and respect towards those officials. Outlets like the town newspaper and its allied websites readily challenge the perceived ethical issues of various town bodies and officials, but seldom challenge the validity of the issues being raised. Some recent topics in the news that highlight this include:
• I have not heard the Council unequivocally say no to any of the citizens petitions articles. Is it ethical to say that the Town Council is ignoring its constituents when the Council is bound by the Town Charter and revising it in accordance with state law?
• Is it ethical to say that the appointed Planning Board members act in the interest of the Town Council, and not to the citizens of Londonderry, when describing the need for an elected Planning Board? I’ve served 14 years as an appointed member to the Planning Board and have never seen any evidence of this behavior.
• Is it ethical for an elected state representative of the town to publicly insinuate wrongdoing on the part of an elected town official, and then cry foul when challenged?
Everyone will have their own answers to questions like these, and those answers will either support or hinder a dialogue for change. As aptly stated in the June 5, 2024 Londonderry Times editorial, “A proper ethical standard can allow for the optimal conflict-free action in town while protecting the people from potential misuse of government.” However, we as citizens should also demand an ethical standard from ourselves.
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Town Council Chairman, Chad Franz, responds to the Londonderry Times editorial – Ethics in Government: Charting the Right Course
Londonderry Times: Ethics in Government: Charting the Right Course