Message from the Executive Director

    With this issue of The Public Trust we’re happy to welcome two new board members – Paul Turner and Nedra Jenkins – and to share a range of other news and information with you.

    As the Commission begins to focus in-depth on amendments to the City’s lobbying ordinance, the starting point for those discussions is summarized beginning on page one. Also detailed on our cover is the significant impact of a June U.S. Supreme Court decision on a longstanding provision of City campaign law. We include a reminder about travel restrictions for City officials and introduce a new snapshot of campaign data that now appears on our website for those following the 2009 City elections.

    Sadly, in late August, we marked the passing of one of the founding members of the City Ethics Commission, Ed Guthman. In addition to many other notable achievements in public service, Ed was appointed to then newly-created City Ethics Commission in 1990. He served as a commissioner through 1998, and was elected Commission President by his board colleagues in 1997. Ed's determined pursuit of transparency and accountability in government is just one of the many legacies he leaves us. Ed taught us to distill the vital from the complex, and to remember the ideal in crafting the practical. Ed inspired us and encouraged us, and he taught us all to persevere. We extend our deep condolences to his family and friends, and we will continue to remember and honor Ed’s life here at the Ethics Commission as we work to support and preserve the public trust.

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