GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The city of Green Bay’s new code of conduct for elected officials was just approved last month, but now the president of the city council wants to get rid of it.
Tom De Wane tells FOX 11 that after he voted in favor of the 11-page code of conduct for aldermen and the mayor, he’s changed his mind.
“I told them right away I was going to support it until I looked further into it and I did,” said De Wane.
The code outlines possible consequences for inappropriate behavior, ranging from fines to suspensions.
However, De Wane spoke with other municipalities and lawyers and now says there’s no reason for the code. De Wane cites state guidelines and Robert’s Rules of Order.
“Right now with this ruling and these changes, it pits aldermen together and that’s something as council president I don’t want to see,” said De Wane.
“I think it’s a bogus argument,” Alderman Randy Scannell told FOX 11. “I don’t buy it.”
Scannell drafted the code, which came after behavior were made against Mayor Jim Schmitt and Alderman Guy Zima.
Scannell admits the city’s code of conduct isn’t much different than state guidelines or Robert’s Rules of Order. However, he says it provides something the others do not: an opportunity to restore public confidence in the council.
“What we have there gives a good basis for the public to understand what a standard of professional behavior is, what some possible consequences are for infractions,” said Scannell.
“The mayor has got to settle down and Guy Zima has got to settle down a little bit, and everything is fine,” said De Wane.
The council will take up De Wane’s request next Tuesday.
