what protocol for someone acting as a "liaison"?
April 17, 2022 2:47 PM Subscribe
Here's the situation: small town government, dominated by corporation; wife of high-ranking corporate employee is on CIty Council and got herself appointed as its liaison to planning commission. Since then, decisions as to land use and development follow a pattern of favoring corporate agenda.
Now, 5 years in, she introduces herself as a member of the planning commission, sits as one of the group, and drives the discussion. Seems to have overwhelmed the other members (all males).
Are there norms for a member of one committee appointed as liaison to another committee, as to participating in the business of that second committee? Does a liaison typically get a vote? I realize the answer may start with "the locality is only bound by its own rules or lack of them," but how do big-city, professional-level municipalities operate in this regard?
Now, 5 years in, she introduces herself as a member of the planning commission, sits as one of the group, and drives the discussion. Seems to have overwhelmed the other members (all males).
Are there norms for a member of one committee appointed as liaison to another committee, as to participating in the business of that second committee? Does a liaison typically get a vote? I realize the answer may start with "the locality is only bound by its own rules or lack of them," but how do big-city, professional-level municipalities operate in this regard?
In my city those liaison roles rotate every two years so that kind of influence can't be wielded indefinitely. Liaisons don't vote as part of the commission they serve on.
posted by brookeb at 5:00 PM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by brookeb at 5:00 PM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
There should also be conflict-of-interest rules require disclosure and potentially recusal.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:46 PM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:46 PM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Where do you live? My US state has a conflict of interest law that applies to municipal employees and includes their spouses' interests.
posted by dusty potato at 9:05 PM on April 17, 2022
posted by dusty potato at 9:05 PM on April 17, 2022
Response by poster: Rural Virginia. And yes - the conflict of interest law here has been much discussed! But the county attorney (contract worker, who “read for the law”) has read it to say it’s discretionary with the committee member.
posted by mmiddle at 3:15 AM on April 18, 2022
posted by mmiddle at 3:15 AM on April 18, 2022
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But in general, voting is reserved for legitimately appointed Planning Board members.
posted by mmf at 2:56 PM on April 17, 2022 [3 favorites]