Comments on: Garvey Raises Red Flags About Public-Private Partnership Vote

By: John K

John K — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:05:24 +0000

Glad to know that County Board staff is working on weekends. Good show!

By: John K

John K — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:03:23 +0000

I love that an outfit called Healthy Companies International is involved in situations like this.

By: barticus

barticus — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 06:04:34 +0000

KerryB is correct. As a current fed, I was instructed my standard is to avoid the APPEARANCE of a conflict of interest, not merely the actual conflict itself. Perhaps employees have to conduct themselves to a higher standard than elected officials.

It doesn’t matter, though. Even if Zim recuses himself, all votes will be 3-1 at worst. And that assumes Garvey doesn’t abstain again.

By: lloyd

lloyd — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 02:59:54 +0000

Just glad to see that someone is stepping up to the plate and questioning this. Whether there is a conflict or not, the Board stands up for each other too often. Should be an interesting step in the process.

By: tom

tom — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:11:28 +0000

agree!!

By: Eileen McMurrer

Eileen McMurrer — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:25:59 +0000

Totally agree. Take it to the polls next election.

By: Eieen S McMurrer

Eieen S McMurrer — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:24:26 +0000

Thank you. As a former employee of Arlington County I witnessed the detrimental effects of conflict of interest when Fisette’s partner held workshops for Arlington County employees,. Everyone knew that whatever they said would get back to Fisette and consequently were afraid to speak up with any negative comments. I know this for a fact because I spoke up. After the workshop many other employees came up to me and thanked me but said they were too afraid to make similar comments.
Congratulations to Ms. Garvey for speaking the truth. May this be the start of cleaning up Arlington County government.

By: Nattering Nabob

Nattering Nabob — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:12:07 +0000

Does disclosure of one’s conflict of interest somehow absolve one from it? I think not.

The county’s attorney merely states that Zimmerman disclosed his relationship. It doesn’t address whether his relationship can or will influence his policy decisions.

You may agree with Chris on policy or personal matters, but you also have to agree that this has appearances of impropriety.

Thank you, Libby Garvey, for your contribution to transparency. It’s shameful that the other county board members are trying to hush your “internal email.”

By: Jim Webster

Jim Webster — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:39:53 +0000

Bubba, the real shame is Libby Garvey’s decision to air her differences with Zimmerman without a solid legal basis.

By: Jim Webster

Jim Webster — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:38:22 +0000

The County Attorney’s opinion should put this unfortunate matter to rest. All you nattering nabobs of negativism may disagree with Chris on policy or personal matters, but you have to agree that he exceeded the requirements of ethics law by disclosing his arrangement. The fact is that he is carrying on the smart growth policies of his predecessors, Democrats on the county board who set in motion the development direction that has kept Arlington vibrant and maintained the lowest tax burden in the metropolitan area.