Columns - An Ethics Moment RSS Feed

Blindsided: What Should You Do? Part I

Donald Menzel — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:57:00 EST

Don Menzel

Suppose you are the administrator of wealthy, upscale county with a strong record of good governance. In fact, you have been the county administrator for 14 years and have garnered the respect and admiration of the Board of County Commissioners, good government citizen groups, and the local media.

Why Ethics Codes Succeed or Fail

Donald Menzel — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 08:18:00 EST

Does your organization have a code of ethics? Is it effective? How do you know? It is widely believed that ethics codes are desirable, even necessary from a professional perspective. Yet it is very difficult to know with confidence whether or not a code deters unethical behavior and encourages ethical behavior. ASPA member Stuart C. Gilman (2005) has written extensively on this subject. Here are his explanations for why some codes succeed and others fail.

Routing Public Corruption in Florida?

No Author — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:42:00 EST

This article ran in the March/April print issue of PA TIMES. Email Editor Christine McCrehin at cjewett@aspanet.org to find out how to subscribe to the paper.

Donald C. Menzel

In February 2010 a Grand Jury was impaneled by former Governor Charlie Crist to investigate public corruption. In mid-December 2010 the Grand Jury delivered its First Interim Report. Here are the key provisions:

Blindsided: Suddenly and Abruptly!

Donald Menzel — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 04:57:00 EST

This article ran in the January/February print issue of PA TIMES. Email Editor Christine McCrehin at cjewett@aspanet.org to find out how to subscribe to the paper.

Don Menzel

A city manager�s code of survival requires arithmetic skills embellished by political commonsense�namely, how to count to three when your city commission has five members and rumors are circulating that your head is on the chopping block.