There appears to be somewhat of a renaissance in considering what may or may not be legal, moral and ethical in the local political arena. At least the words themselves are being reintroduced in public dialog.
A recent matter before the Christiansburg Town Council brought out questions about a potential conflict of interest. An editorial pointed out while these Virginia laws are somewhat vague, it was determined that two local officials had no legal conflict. Still, they refrained from voting to remove any question: "True north" for most anyone's compass on what is legal, moral and ethical.
Perceptions can be reality, even when misplaced, so maintaining the public trust remains paramount. It was clear, however; that there were strong feelings about the necessity for even asking the question and how it became public just before an expected vote.
As regards determining legal matters, citizens may be justified in being a bit leery. Memories may be refreshed by reading another not-too-dated editorial again, which stated the town's attorneys had remained quiet on FOIA violations for years. Since State Code requires and the VML distributes this information each January, it was hard to digest why council members apparently remained confused for so long. The VML also distributes "The Ethical GPS: Navigating Everyday Dilemmas" to elected officials, managers and clerks in member localities.
In July 2007, the Town Council adopted an Elected Officials Code of Ethics and this was posted on their old web site. Unfortunately, this code doesn't appear to have survived being archived onto the new web site (search "ethics" on the town web site). Whatever. Citizen perceptions about ethics are more likely to be influenced when hearing public officials make disparaging comments to or about individuals, instead of what's stated in that now absent document.
"Moral" issues and obligations have been mentioned recently in council chambers, too. The term was used when voting on refinancing debt for the New River Valley Development Corporation and honoring automatic step increases for certain town employees in the new budget. It came up again when talking about expanding support for public transportation and most recently when agreeing to extend contracted funding of an interjurisdictional tourism development initiative for 12 more months. Each example listed here has a different background and addresses varying needs, yet all relate to council trying to determine what is best for town residents in the future while balancing past obligations.
Commenting on another's opinion or position should stay relevant to the topic, rather than being used as a means to silence those with differing viewpoints. Asking questions or stimulating public dialog on issues shouldn't be swept aside or discounted, even when everyone isn't comfortable or informed with certain subjects.
While legal issues may ultimately be decided in a courtroom, perceptions matter when defining what is moral or ethical.