Noble: “common council input”
KINGSTON – Mayor Steven Noble Friday explained why he terminated
all five ethics board members this week.
The Kingston mayor said he wants to revise the ethics law “to provide
clarity and to ensure that the law was effective and enforceable.”
He said in doing that, “it became apparent that the current ethics
board would no longer be able to function effectively while this revision
was taking place.”
The mayor also said steps were needed to change the appointment process
of the board to align it with the city’s other boards and commissions.
Noble said he will implement a process more closely aligned with his goals
of expanding outreach to residents who have otherwise not had the opportunity
to serve on any volunteer board. He also wants common council input in
the selection process and will seek recommendations from the council,
require applications and conduct interviews of candidates.
The mayor also plans to institute terms of appointees.
The timing of the changes coincides with the resolution of all remaining
complaints before the ethics board. The city may now move forward with
changes to this local law and establish a board, “using the new
appointment process,” Noble said.
