Whoops, local Gilroy politics took another slippery step down
the ethics slope when Planning Commissioner Joan Spencer, armed
with a Fair Political Practices opinion, decided to cast aside
principles and vote on her boyfriend’s proposed housing
project.
Whoops, bad call.
Whoops, local Gilroy politics took another slippery step down the ethics slope when Planning Commissioner Joan Spencer, armed with a Fair Political Practices opinion, decided to cast aside principles and vote on her boyfriend’s proposed housing project.
Whoops, bad call.
To her credit, after inquiries by reporter Serdar Tumgoren, Spencer made an about face and proclaimed her intention not to vote on Chris Cote’s 18-home proposal when it comes back up before the commission.
Good call. But it’s troubling that Spencer didn’t meet the conflict of interest head on in the first place: Should I vote on my boyfriend’s project? The answer – regardless of project’s merit – is clear: No, recuse yourself.
Planning Commissioner Joan Lewis also voted on the project after a communication snafu over whether her home is located within the legal boundaries that raise the conflict-of-interest red flag. It is, and though Lewis could seek an affidavit stating that Cote’s project would not influence the value of her property, Lewis should embrace the spirit of the law and step aside when the next vote comes up Feb. 15. After all these issues surfaced, the commission ultimately decided to delay a final vote.
Let’s hope as Gilroy grows that our local officials understand it’s not the FPPC that counts, it’s the community perception and the appearance that the interests of the city as a whole are being compromised.
Ethics matter. When there’s a shadow of doubt, don’t vote.
