Local Government Academy

Published September 20, 2004

Seek Out Those With Character for Service in Public Office

It has been a year since Northwest Indiana took the first step in what was described at the time as a long journey. It was September 5, 2003 when the Northwest Indiana Local Government Academy , at the request of the Quality of Life Council conducted an ethics symposium in Lake County .

That event has proven to be a springboard for significant activity, both positive and negative. On the positive side a growing number of communities have adopted ethics ordinances or sense of council resolutions, appointed ethics officers or are considering similar actions.

Unfortunately Joe Van Bokkelen, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, continues to be a major player in transforming local government. The indictments, the plea agreements, the trials and convictions seem endless. They must continue, however, as long as we have officials who use their public positions for personal gain.

I am troubled when I watch young men with young families pleading guilty to criminal charges. It bothers me because it means that somewhere in the not too distant future, those persons will be serving time in prison while their children are growing up without them.

I am troubled because I know many of those involved on a personal level. I have a sick feeling in my stomach when I think of the long term implications for their families.

I am troubled because in spite of the activities over the past year I still detect a snicker on most persons' faces when the discussion turns to ethics in government.

While I am proud of what has been accomplished, it's clear we still have a long way to go. I have learned that ethics in government is a complex problem and that ethics ordinances, indictments and convictions alone won't get us where we need to be. We can have the best ethics ordinances and policies ever written, but as long as we continue to elect persons who lack the moral character to do the right things we are going to have problems.

If the moral character of public officials matters to you, you have a responsibility to become informed about the candidates and the issues and then VOTE. Exercising the right to vote is one of the most honorable acts an American citizen can perform. We can't stop there however because while the right to vote is sacred, its value is greatly diminished when voters have no options. We should begin the process now of identifying competent persons with good moral character and encourage them to run for political office. The political process is best served when voters have choices to make. The journey that began last September takes a quantum leap forward when election day in Northwest Indiana finds voters facing the dilemma of having to choose between a minimum of two qualified, ethical candidates in both the primary and the general election.