Today, after reading the censure motion planned for the March 4 City Council Meeting and listening to the Feb. 4 council meeting, I am disturbed.
As a member of the first Board of Ethics and group that helped to write the Code of Ethics and Conduct, the council actions seem a rush to judgment.
First and foremost, our country’s justice system values require that someone receive a fair trial by having different elements be the judge, jury and sentencer. This council is taking on all of these roles.
To ensure that a councilor or member of the city management would receive a fair, just and unbiased review of their behavior, a Board of Ethics was created. This council would bypass that group.
Furthermore, given the antipathy council members have toward Olivier Bosmans, clearly evident in the meeting comments by councilors and staff, a fair and unbiased review is unlikely.
It is clear councilors and staff have struggles working with Bosmans. Censuring him by acting as judge, jury and sentencer is not the American way and shouldn’t be the Durango way. The Board of Ethics should hear your complaints to ensure a fair and just result.
Finally, the consequences proposed in the censure motion do not meet the potential crime in the censure motion. A sledgehammer is not necessary to get your point across.
Mike Todt
Durango
