HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-22-84 Board of Ethics Minutes BOARD OF ETHICS
MONDAY - OCTOBER 22, 1984
The Board of Ethics met in regular session on Monday, October 22, 1984 at 2:00 o'clock
P.M. in the City Council Conference Room - 10th floor - City Hall.
Present: Don Cook, Margaret Groves, Rita M. Bauman and John Mertz.
Absent: Steve Sawyer.
Guest: Gary Andrews, Merle Wyble representing the Lansing Civic Players.
The meeting was called to order by John Mertz at 2:20 P.M.
Roll Call was taken: all present except Steve Sawyer who was excused.
Motion by Don Cook that the minutes of the meeting of September 24, 1984 be approved
as printed - motion seconded by Margaret Groves - Motion carried.
Old Business: Request of Gary Andrews in regard to "Equity Funds" and the disbursement
of same.
Much discussion was held and questions asked.
Mr. Andrews made a presentation with documentation and presented a letter (attached)
and asked that his request be withdrawn.
New Business: None.
There being no further business a motion was made by John Mertz that the next meeting
of the Board of Ethics be held on January 28, 1985 at 2:00 P.M. in the City Council Room
motion seconded by Don Cook - Motion carried.
Motion by John Mertz that the meeting be adjourned - motion seconded by Margaret Groves-
Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 2:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted.
Rita M. Bauman
Secretary.
October 22, 1984-
To: The Board of Ethics - City of Lansing
From: Gary R. Andrews - 560 Brookland Boulevard - Lansing, lvl:. 48910
Re: "Equity Fund" - Complaint of unethical practices by City Officials.
I have a long and complicated story to tell. Where and when to begin is a problem.
My basic complaint, given to you on September 24, 1984, is regarding the "Equity Fund"
monies provided to the City by the State of hichigan, and the process by which it was
divided-up amoung the largest Arts and Cultural groups by the Office of the Mayor.
Although I do not believe that the Ethics Board can effectively resolve any of these
matters , I sit before you today As a resident citizen of the City of Lansing who has for
the past several years attempted to participate in the process of Government; and, who has
since 1981 experienced a longstanding and complex series of illegal discriminations and
unethical actions seemingly in a conspiratorial method to essentially destroy my personal
credibility, to demean my professional efforts to contribute to the positive development
of our community, and, to effectively remove me from participating in the process.
Based upon past, and other, experiences I have encountered in trying to participate in
various governmental affairs as a citizen, I have a supposition as to whom is involved,
however, based upon the advice and counsel of my Attorney, Philip C. Dean; I am reluctant
to place the name of that individual on the table today.
The "catch-22" of your request that I name an individual and make a charge of an unethical
practice, is one of irony. I have given you information to investigate and nothing has
been done. Not having been informed of the series of "secret meetings" that apparently
were held, nor being allowed to participate in any of them, it is very difficult for me to
specifically meet your requirements and charge any individual with an unethical practise,
other than to say that the "Secret meeting" process apparently initiated by the Office of
the Mayor, is questionable; and that apparently inside information was shared with only a
few select groups and individuals, prior to there being any public disclosure of the process
or decisions which resulted from it.
I have no personal knowledge of the specific individuals who participated in the series of
"secret meetings" to distribute public monies, other than the conjecture that it was limited
to the heads of the recipient arts groups and representatives of the Office of the Mayor.
Nobody will disclose this information to me. I first learned of this matter from news-
media accounts in The Lansing State Journal, and then attempted to participate by going
personally to the Lansing City Council, its Committee on General Services and the Human
Resources Advisory Board, with no success.
I consider this to be another example of a 'longstanding problem, and I believe that no
justice can be gained from participating in this Ethics Board process.
I am a victim of posessing knowledge of a series of acts committed by high public officials
which constitute a number of unethical, if not illegal or criminal actions, all of which
have been very carefully "covered-up" by the participants in several City Department's
over the past few years. Because of my knowledge, I have been made the victim of a rottten
and malicious conspiracy involving a number of City Officials, and employees. I have an
adequate understanding of the statutes of limitations regarding the various acts which have
been committed against me, as a citizen, by Officials of the City of Lansing, Ingham County
and several other local groups, and shall reserve the right to persue a higher course of
action against those responsible for the violation of my Constitutional Rights, in a more
appropriate place and time.
I thank you for empaneling your body to consider my plight, but consider that no body of
the City of Lansing can provide adequate recourse nor relief. I would request that your
records include this statement and note that I do not believe you can untangle the
scandal that is involved in the matter I have brought before you.
Thank you,