AFTER FOUR YEARS, ETHICS PANEL HAS NOTHING TO DO

Members of the Cape Girar-deau Ethics Commission are subject to the most rigorous qualifications of all of the city's advisory boards. They also have the least to do.

Make that nothing to do.

In the four years since the commission's founding, it hasn't investigated a single complaint against city officials. However, the commission isn't being lax in its duties there haven't been any complaints to investigate.

"I'd say city officials do a good enough job that nobody's gotten too mad at them," said Mark K. Slinkard, one of two commissioners serving on the panel since its inception.

Despite the non-existent workload, Slinkard said the commission is worthwhile to have.

"It doesn't cost the city anything, and it is always there if we need it," Slinkard said "If it wasn't there and someone had a complaint, who would they go to?"

Lacking complaints to investigate, the commission meets just once a year to elect officers. Its next meeting is slated for January.

The City Council last week appointed the commission's two newest members, Jamey Howard Hall and Steve Simmons.

Hall, a former Perryville police officer and Perry County deputy sheriff, said its important to have the Ethics Commission in place in case it is ever needed.

"Something may pop up that would call for it," Hall said. "It we didn't have it, we would have nothing to refer to."

Better to be prepared'

Simmons, a former Cape Girardeau police reserve officer, said the dearth of complaints to the commission is a positive sign for the city and proves officials are doing their jobs.

"It sounds like we have pretty good city officials who are dedicated to their work and aware of their responsibilities to the city and making good ethical decisions," Simmons said. "But there is always the potential for there to be problems. I hope there never will be, but it is important to have an organization ready to handle any problems. It is always better to be prepared."

Voters created the commission under an amendment to the City Charter that passed in April 1996. The City Council appointed the first seven-member commission in June 1997. Commissioners serve five-year terms, though terms for the original commissioners were staggered.

In order to serve, members have to meet qualification standards that are far stricter than those for members of other city advisory panels.

Commissioners may not be city or state employees or work as lobbyists. Commissioners are also barred from being active politically, aside from voting. They may not serve in an official capacity with any political party or organization, contribute financially to any party or candidate or publicly support or oppose any candidate.

Members are also required to file financial disclosure reports with the city.

The commission is empowered to investigate any formal complaint of wrongdoing by the mayor, City Council members, the city manager, chief purchasing officer, city judge and advisory board members.

Must be in writing

Any citizen may file a complaint with the city clerk, but it must be written and signed under oath. The complaint must specifically include the purported facts of an alleged violation or conflict of interest.

In conducting an investigation, the commission has access to all relevant city records and may call witnesses to testify under oath. Proceedings remain confidential until the commission issues a report on its investigation. Within 30 days of receiving a report, the City Council must either accept or reject the commission's recommendation.

City Manager Michael Miller said city officials and employees are dedicated to openness in dealings with the public and the media. Miller attributes the lack to complaints to the Ethics Commission to that attitude.

"Because we operate so openly, it doesn't give people the chance to do things wrong," Miller said. "We are constantly under a spotlight in the community. As municipal officials, that can be bothersome, but it is also necessary."