LIGHTHOUSE POINT – Lighthouse Point City Commissioner and Candidate for Broward County Commission Chip LaMarca introduced his own recommendation for a new Code of Ethics for Broward County elected officials and their staff.
“This ethics reform is extremely necessary for correcting the current situation on the Commission,” LaMarca said. “This is the main issue on citizens’ minds in this district and all over Broward County. Unfortunately this Commission has made every attempt to derail and slow this reform. I’m providing an alternative for the voters to send someone to the Government Center to demand significant changes and to stop this ‘business as usual’ mentality on the commission.”
“Quite frankly, after what has happened over the past few years in this county, I would recommend that you do not trust anyone running for office. In this campaign, I am not asking you to trust me. What I am asking for is your help. Help me implement and enforce this code of ethics that will hold not only myself, but every Commissioner now and into the future accountable for serving the public good.”
LaMarca said his recommendation is just the start of an on-going conversation with citizens on this critical issue.
“We’re going to be hosting several town hall style meetings to discuss this reform and I want every concerned citizen to have a voice in this process. Unlike my opponent, who is the Mayor of this county and the appointed leader of this commission, I refuse to stay quiet and hide behind my desk while more and more ethics violations come to light on the County Commission. Just last week, we heard yet another issue of corruption and the commission playing favorites by awarding a contract to one of their own. This problem affects all aspects of Broward County – business, taxation, cost of living – and it must be addressed.”
LaMarca was also critical of his opponent, Mayor Ken Keechl, who has continually remained silent on this pivotal issue.
“I have seen enough of the anointed leader of the commission, Ken Keechl, sitting back and merely watching as his cohorts are removed from the Government Center in handcuffs and simply observing as even more accusations of impropriety continue to hit this commission. His indifference to this problem isn’t an example of leadership; it’s an example of acceptance of the status quo, and it will be put to an end when I am sworn in as a Commissioner.”
“Just last week we saw Ken Keechl and his friends once again do what they could to derail this pivotal legislation, supporting the idea of using taxpayer dollars for a constitutional challenge to the recommendations of the Ethics Commission. This is outrageous and an unacceptable use of taxpayer dollars, especially during a massive recession. Even his fellow Democrat, Ari Porth, scathingly criticized the commission for this action. What Ken Keechl is – or is not – doing on ethics reform is a disservice to voters and taxpayers, and this commission needs to be held accountable.”
