Published: April 28, 2009
By:
Frank George
At the April 13 Hughson City Council meeting, Councilman Thomas Crowder asked for an investigative committee made up of council members that would look into unidentified allegations against city staff. Crowder also indicated he’d like to serve on that ad hoc committee, but the council did not respond to the idea.
Crowder later told the Chronicle, “I do have the prerogative to ask for clarification and seek the truth in some things that have been alleged to our city administration and this is willful misconduct on their part.”
According to Joseph E. Donabed, city manager, the matter of complaint investigation into the affairs of the city and any department thereof or complaints concerning the administration of the city government is the duty of the city manager by law. Section 2.08.140 of the Hughson Municipal Code provides this direction. Donabed added that section 2.08.230 of the Hughson Municipal Code requires the council to deal with the administrative services of the city only through the city manager except for inquiry.
Donabed stated that since hearing the general allegations and since there were no specifics to what Crowder was referencing, “and in an effort to maintain confidence in our local government and to ensure transparency in government as I am entrusted to do, I believe it is important to investigate these allegations and to seek the assistance of a body that is not connected to the City of Hughson.”
The city manager said he will be seeking an appointment to discuss the matter with the civil grand jury of Stanislaus County Superior Court. He will also be requesting the jurors’ involvement in assisting with the investigation with the ultimate goal of ensuring open, honest and credible city government.
“In fact I support any committee, either the civil grand jury or a committee of the city council to seek and find the truth in all cases where allegations are made, against city administration or elected officials,” Crowder said after hearing about Donabed’s recommendations. “The important thing is to get an unbiased investigation into whether alleged actions or failure to take action was properly documented and handled in a manner consistent with the law which protects the interest of the city.”
“Although the allegations are unspecific, I believe it necessary to investigate any allegations of willful misconduct within the City of Hughson by an independent body,” Mayor Ramon Bawanan stated in an email. “The appropriate entity in this matter is the civil grand jury.”
http://hughson-chronicle.com/content/2009-04-28/00255
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