Gazette editorial calls Narkewicz measure a good move
November 24 ,2008
In Our Opinion: Worth Noting
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Separation of powers
Daily Hampshire Gazette
Separation of powers
The Northampton City Council has adopted a measure
that prevents its members from also serving on 18
other city administrative panels, such as the
Planning Board and the Board of Public Works.
This is a good move that sets some clear lines to prevent any potential conflicts of interest. The change was recommended by Ward 4 Councilor David Narkewicz to maintain a separation between the administrative and legislative branches of city government.
Left unresolved, however, was the fate of Ward 5 Councilor David Murphy, the only member of the City Council who also serves on one of the 18 panels. Murphy is chairman of the Central Business Architecture Committee.
City Solicitor Janet Sheppard offered a one-sentence opinion on the matter, suggesting that the rule change would violate a councilor's right to due process. Murphy cast the only dissenting vote against the proposal by Narkewicz, saying city councilors already had the discretion to determine whether they should be serving on other administrative panels. Murphy will now have to exercise that same kind of discretion in deciding whether to remain on the Architecture Committee.
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This is a good move that sets some clear lines to prevent any potential conflicts of interest. The change was recommended by Ward 4 Councilor David Narkewicz to maintain a separation between the administrative and legislative branches of city government.
Left unresolved, however, was the fate of Ward 5 Councilor David Murphy, the only member of the City Council who also serves on one of the 18 panels. Murphy is chairman of the Central Business Architecture Committee.
City Solicitor Janet Sheppard offered a one-sentence opinion on the matter, suggesting that the rule change would violate a councilor's right to due process. Murphy cast the only dissenting vote against the proposal by Narkewicz, saying city councilors already had the discretion to determine whether they should be serving on other administrative panels. Murphy will now have to exercise that same kind of discretion in deciding whether to remain on the Architecture Committee.
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