Thursday, December 13, 2007

Ethics Board dismisses Conrad complaint against Longe

Architectural Review Committee member Christopher Longe did not violate Birmingham's Ethics Ordinance by forming a political action committee that participated in the November election.

Longe, a local architect and contributing editor to the Buzz, was charged with violating the ordinance by Dorothy Conrad, a former mayor and city commissioner who remains involved in city politics. Conrad alleged that three postcards sent out by Residents for Birmingham, the PAC that Longe formed, "cast doubts on the intentions -- character -- honesty of Seth Chafetz and George Dilgard."

"As a member of a city committee Christopher Longe is bound by the rules set forth in the Ethics Ordinance," Conrad said in her complaint. "The postcards cast doubt on the trust, integrity and conduct of two members of city boards," Conrad said. Chafetz sits on the Library Board, and Dilgard, at the time, sat on the Planning Board. Dilgard was elected to the City Commission despite Longe's campaign.

"The postcards undermine respect for city officials," Conrad went on. "The postcards adversely affect the confidence of the public and the integrity of city government."

Ethics Board member Sophie Fierro-Share recused herself from the case. The remaining two members, James Robb and John Schrot Jr., dismissed the complaint, finding that Longe exercised his First Amendment right to engage in political speech, and that it was unrelated to his membership on a city board.

The board's decision will be published after its next meeting Jan. 31.