Let’s look at the Principals of Public Service and Ethics. In the SC Handbook for County Government, it’s on page 44 of chapter 5.
“Public servants should treat their office as a public trust, only using the powers of resources of public office to advance public interests and not to attain personal benefits or pursue any other private interest incompatible with the public good.”
Not to mention that it goes on to comment specifically on moral obligations and formal codes of conduct for public servants.
And this one, on the same page, specifically, is relevant to my comments.
“Principal of Accountability. Public servants should ensure that government is conducted openly, effectively, equitably and honorably, in a manner that permits the citizenry to make informed judgments and hold government officials accountable.”
How is it then, that our Chair removed the second public comment time from the agenda last year, which is a direct violation of the county’s by-laws.
It is alarming when individuals in positions of authority act in ways that go against the Principles of Public Service and Ethics. For instance, our Chair removed and discarded another man’s election sign and attempted to conceal the sign from public view.
These actions demonstrate a lack of accountability and disregard for the public good. As responsible citizens, we must hold our government officials to high standards of conduct and ensure that they advance public interests and adhere to ethical standards.
We cannot afford to have an administration that fails to manage and safeguard the welfare of its constituents. It is crucial that we elect council members who act in the public interest and conduct government transparently, effectively, and fairly. Failure to do so will result in a government that lacks direction, discretion, vision, and leadership. Our community will suffer the consequences.
Already, in Dawkins, we have suffered enough. We have pleaded with this council to provide us with a full-time fire department, EMS and law enforcement. Four homes have recently burnt down to the ground. Families are losing everything in these fires. Yet, this council stands by while the accounting dept. pays fines exceeding $1.6 million to the IRS instead of paying for 12 full-time fire fighters.
We are in dire need of professional, successful leaders with a proven track record to represent us.
At least it looks like we finally have that in our new Interim Administrator.
Jeff Schaffer
Fairfield County
