Bill Scherer - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Office of the City Attorney May 4, 2010 Mr. Bill Scherer 11822 Minuteman Drive Riverside, CA 92503 Subject: Your letter ofApri128, 2010; Our File No: CA10-1019 Dear Mr. Scherer: This letter is in response to your letter of April 28, 2010. Thank you for attending the orientation on April 22, which was intended to provide members of appointed boards, commissions and committees with an overview of the laws, regulations and codes applicable to those members. As I emphasized during the orientation, the City of Riverside expects all of the members of its appointed boards, commissions and committees to comport their conduct with the City's Code of Ethics and Conduct, as set forth in Resolution No. 21906. As I further indicated during the course of the orientation, Section II, F specifically addresses the use of one's office for service to the public good and not for personal or private gain. The code specifically states, "As elected and appointed officials of the City of Riverside, we recognize our responsibility to use the benefits of our public office exclusively for the public purpose for which it was created." My comments were specifically directed to the instances in which you have used your membership on the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership for purposes unrelated to the official discharge of your duties. The use of your title and position on the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership may provide the public with the incorrect impression that your views represent those of the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership. I do not believe that it can be seriously argued that the use of your position and title with the Riverside Neighborhood Partnership for purposes completely unrelated to the discharge of your official duties does not constitute a violation of the City's Code of Ethics. The City's Code of Ethics and Conduct was established to "[a]ssure public confidence and the integrity of local government and its effect and fair operation." The implementation and enforcement of the Code of Ethics does not in any way implicate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Code of Ethics does not in any way prevent you from expressing your opinions as a private individual nor does it prevent you from attending any meeting, public or private, to express your own personal opinions. 3900 Main Street • Riverside, CA 92522 9 951.826.5567 • fox 951.826.5540 • www.riversideco.gov i