Ethics Reform Hearing Proposal Not a Big Hit at Delaware County Council Meetings

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Democratic Delaware County Councilmen Kevin Madden and Brian Zidek thought their proposal to hold “ethics and conflict of interest reform” hearings was an easy bipartisan victory. Instead, it landed like a lead balloon, writes Vinny Vella for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The proposal was twice voted down by the three Republicans on the County Council.

Republicans called the proposal an unfair indictment against the county and a blatant attempt to boost Democratic candidates ahead of November’s general election.

Zidek claims the proposal was an effort to save money by looking at patronage and no-bid contracts. Chief concerns are campaign contributors who have been awarded contracts with the county and with the overwhelming percentage of county workers who are Republican.

Council President John McBlain, in voting against the proposal, called those concerns unfounded. “It’s a political stunt. You don’t have to look hard at the election calendar to see that’s the case.”

McBlain promised to introduce legislation that discusses Delaware County’s home-rule charter, nearly 50 years old.

“If we want to really talk about modernizing or changing our form of government, let’s do it instead of nibbling around the edges.”

Read more about this ethics discussion here.

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