Town of Huntington, NY - News Details
11/25/2014 - Petrone, Glickstein Announce Next Steps in Ethics Code Examination
Huntington Supervisor Frank P. Petrone and Howard Glickstein, dean emeritus of Touro Law School and chair of the Town’s Board of Ethics and Financial Disclosure, announce the next steps in the process of modifying the Town’s ethics code, even as Supervisor Petrone expressed confidence in Dean Glickstein and the current board members for the way the Board has conducted its business in the past.
“I have ultimate confidence in the dean, his impeccable credentials and integrity and am confident that the reviews underway will support my assessment of the board’s work,” Supervisor Petrone said. “At the same time, we have been considering possible revisions to the Town’s ethics code for some time, and I do not want that process to stall while waiting for other entities to weigh in.”
At its November meeting, the Town Board passed two resolutions, one sponsored by Councilwoman Susan A. Berland and the other by Councilman Eugene Cook, asking the New York State Comptroller and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York to look into procedures in the Ethics Code and to offer suggestions on possible revisions. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
“The members of the ethics board are all professionals, we are uncompensated, and we take the matters before us very seriously, "Dean Glickstein said. "While I am disappointed that some people felt an outside review of the procedures of the board was warranted, I welcome any review for I am sure it will commend our activities. All of us on the Board are committed to moving forward and assisting the Town in its efforts to strengthen the code. We encourage positive suggestions."
At the November Board meeting, Supervisor Petrone noted that some months previously, he had asked Councilwoman Tracey A. Edwards to research ethics codes in other jurisdictions and explore revisions to Huntington’s. “As part of that process, I reached out to Dean Glickstein,” Councilwoman Edwards said. “We have already had one meeting, and I have asked for his recommendations and input.”
Supervisor Petrone said the Board is seeking a new counsel to replace James Matthews, who was elected to the Suffolk County District Court. He said the Town will immediately issue a request for proposals (RFP) for the position. "This will make the selection process transparent and ensure that the candidate chosen has the highest qualifications," Petrone said.
Supervisor Petrone, Councilwoman Edwards and Dean Glickstein said the revisions they are working on should be ready for public comment before the public hearing the Ethics Board is required to hold each year. At that hearing, the Board takes testimony from the general public on whether the Code is functioning effectively and to hear recommended improvements. That hearing is usually held in March. Those revisions will incorporate any potential recommendations by either the state comptroller or U.S. Attorney, if they have been offered.
Under Chapter 29 of the Huntington Town Code, members of the Board of Ethics and Financial Disclosure, as well as its counsel, are appointed by the Town Board. Under the code, the Board arranges seminars for Town employees and officials to assure the understanding of and compliance with the Code. The Board also renders opinions in response to requests and sworn complaints and monitors compliance with the Town’s financial disclosure statement policy.