Colberg vetoes ethics regs

PALMER — Mat-Su Borough Mayor Talis Colberg vetoed an ordinance that purportedly tightened up borough ethics rules, but which he said might appear directed at the outgoing borough manager.

The ordinance, sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Colver, would have required the assembly to approve any contract with a former borough manager, department head or division manager for three years after that person left the borough. It would also have prohibited such a person from working with a contractor with more than $300,000 worth of business at the borough.

The ordinance would not have applied retroactively. So, for instance, Ron Swanson, former head of community development for the borough, could still continue working as he has been on developing a ski area at Hatcher Pass.

The measure passed the assembly in a 5-2 vote June 15 and was vetoed the next day. At the meeting prior to the vote, none of the assembly members mentioned Duffy by name.

“I want to know what your fear or concern is,” Assemblywoman Lynne Woods said to Colver.

“I think it’s just good public policy,” he replied.

But some around the assembly table pointed out there is a Borough Ethics Committee that has been working for years on tightening up ethics rules. That board has recommended a similar code change, though with a one-year hiatus instead of three years. The committee’s recommendations will come before the assembly in a raft of changes planned as an overhaul of borough ethics rules.

“I’d kind of like to see what the volunteers who’ve worked since 2006 have come up with,” Assemblywoman Cindy Bettine said. “This ordinance limits possibly hiring the best person for the job.”

In his veto, Colberg didn’t outright say the ordinance was directed at Duffy. In previous interviews, Duffy has said he has no plans for what he will do once he leaves the borough. His last day is scheduled for July 2.

“To some it might be construed as special legislation against one individual, Mr. Duffy, on the evening of his last regular meeting. In order to avoid that implication I am vetoing this ordinance,” Colberg said in the letter accompanying his veto.

Colberg also sided with Bettine on the issue of whether this ordinance needed to become law right away.

“It is clear that the Borough Ethics Committee is in the final stages of comprehensive recommendations that are meant to address this type of issue,” Colberg wrote. “The Ethics Committee should be permitted to continue their task.”

To override a veto, the assembly needs a two-thirds vote. Which means that the 5-2 vote that passed the ordinance in the first place would be sufficient to override Colberg.

If the assembly chooses to override Colberg it wouldn’t be the first time. The assembly voted 6-1 to override the second veto the mayor issued, striking down an ordinance putting a borough sales tax on the ballot.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.