Ethics board plans hearing for accused assembly member

Dec. 19, 2006

By Michael Rovito

Frontiersman

PALMER - School board member Jim Colver observed from the back of a mostly empty Mat-Su Borough Assembly chambers Monday as the borough's ethics board set the agenda for an upcoming meeting dealing with his alleged ethics violations.

Although Colver did not speak directly to the Mat-Su Board of Ethics during the prehearing conference, after the meeting was adjourned he maintained his innocence in the case.

&#8220There's not one stick of evidence,” Colver said.

Claims of misconduct and misuse of confidential information came to light in June after it was alleged Colver used his position on the borough assembly for personal benefit.

The case was turned over to the state's Office of Special Prosecutions and Appeals in October. Officials are determining whether the professional surveyor used information available to assembly members that pertained to an upcoming building project to bring business to his company.

During Monday's prehearing, counsel for both parties agreed there is enough evidence and witnesses to fill at least one full day. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Feb. 26.

Also Monday, board members added borough Director of Public Works Keith Rountree to a list of witnesses to appear at the February hearing, citing what they called his involvement in e-mail traffic with Colver.

Speaking from his office Monday, Rountree said the only e-mailing he was involved in with Colver came after Colver requested &#8220real specific” information about an upcoming building contract.

&#8220He was asking for the size of survey crews and real specific information that's really none of his business,” Rountree said.

Rountree said he responded to Colver's initial e-mail out of frustration, adding that Colver was &#8220pounding for the information.”

After more information was sought by Colver, Rountree said he told borough manager John Duffy the requests were ridiculous and he was not going to respond to them, and Duffy agreed with Rountree's position.

February's hearing will be run much like a court of law, with opening and closing statements, presentation of evidence and deliberations.

Contact Michael Rovito at 352-2252 or michael.rovito@

frontiersman.com.