News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Editorials

October 10, 2012

EDITORIAL: Serious issue of integrity

Commission needs to work hard to restore credibility

TERRE HAUTE — When the Vigo County Area Plan Commission meets Nov. 7, it should once again remind itself, and recommit itself, to maintaining a high standard of ethics in its deliberations and voting.

In doing so, it should acknowledge that conflicts of interest large or small, or even perceived conflicts, are important matters. None should be brushed aside. The credibility and integrity of this arm of self-government is at stake.

The Plan Commission took a major hit in recent months upon the revelation that one of its members — Norm Froderman — had a financial stake in Cobblestone Crossings when he voted on its expansion plans. Those plans came into vigorous dispute when homeowners in the Woodgate subdivision discovered that changes in the development would impact the upscale housing area in ways they did not anticipate, and that a sudden change of zoning allowed apartment buildings to be constructed stunningly close to some Woodgate properties.

Eventually, a group of Woodgate homeowners challenging the development learned about Froderman’s potential conflict and asked specifically about it during a commission meeting. That’s when Froderman acknowledged the conflict.

The Vigo County commissioners and Planning Department took immediate and appropriate action to stop the development and require Cobblestone to return before the plan commission to re-apply for zoning changes. The stop-work order has since been lifted after Cobblestone reached an agreement with the homeowners group to construct a wall between properties. But zoning issues remain.

In the wake of Froderman’s tardy disclosure and subsequent county actions, planning department director Jeremy Weir reminded commissioners that they need to recuse themselves from taking part in matters in which they have a financial stake or may be biased or influenced by someone or something else.

Members of the Woodgate group, however, suggest an even more aggressive approach. They suggest commission members answer a roll call each meeting that asks specifically if they have conflicts on any matters on the agenda that day.

While that exercise would normally be cumbersome and unnecessary, current circumstances are far from normal. The integrity of the commission has been damaged. This would be one small way it could begin to recover public credibility. It should be seriously considered.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Editorials
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead Johnson: Don't Blame Islam or UK Policy Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Texas Students Coach Teachers on Fitness Britain Attack Believed Linked to Radical Islam Raw: Scuffles in London After Hacking Death Chain-Reaction School Bus Crash Injures About 50 Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe Meet MJ, the Bike Riding Tabby Cat Raw: 80-Year-Old Climbs Mount Everest New Forecasting Tool Eyed for Hurricane Season Wash. State Man Arrested Following Ricin Scare Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Today in History May 23 Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones Today in History May 22 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News