McGrane should be censured by city council

Five years ago, the charter commission that put together our new form of government recommended a board of ethics to protect against conflicts of interest and give council members guidance. Council member Pat Shey, while employed at a bank, sought advisory opinions on several occasions before certain votes. In each case, the ethics board advised Shey of whether a conflict existed. Shey properly recused himself, consistent with the guidance.

On the weekend before the Nov. 3 election, Jerry McGrane sent a postcard to District 3 voters stating that Shey was brought up “not once but twice before the city ethics board,” suggesting that Shey had committed blatant ethical lapses and therefore could not be trusted.

As The Gazette, several other media sources, and even supporters of McGrane quickly acknowledged, this was a gross misstatement of the facts and an outright lie. McGrane has used a tool recommended by the charter - a tool to provide the proper guidance to our elected officials - for political gain, and did so in a false manner.

What council member will now ever seek the advice of the ethics board, fearing political retribution like this? I think McGrane should be censured by the city council. And voters should consider character as they cast their ballots.

Wendy Marner

Cedar Rapids