The City of Rhinelander is exploring the possibility of forming an Ethics Board.
Mayor Chris Frederickson says he approached new city attorney Steve Sorenson about how an ethics panel might work. Sorenson says he's familar with how other communities have composed these types of boards.
He says the concept is to have a group of independent individuals who have no policy making influence...
"...How do people behave? Not necessarily legally because legally is different. You can do something legally and be very unethical. That's a reality of life. An ethics commission is generally there to talk about issues (like) how should one act or react in situations?..."
He says the panel can hear citizen complaints about elected officials....
"...Understand that they have no power. They can't come in and say, 'you shalt not'. Generally when an ethics board makes a decision or gives a ruling, that does become grounds that can involve a District Attorney or some other ethics enforcement entity within the State of Wisconsin..."
Sorenson says it also can mean the removal of municipal employees as well as complaints against elected officials. He says such a board frees the common council from getting embroiled in those questions and lets the panel see the facts and come back with a decision. City government has had a number of flash points happen in the past several months.
The matter was for information only, no decision was given.
