The people in a community have a right to expect upright
behavior from their elected officials. Hermosa Beach City Treasurer David Cohn’s
questionable liaison with an unlicensed masseuse has rubbed city leaders and
residents the wrong way, and for good reason.
Why a Beach Cities official would connect with an unknown
through Craigslist in South Eastern Los Angeles County can only elicit a sentiment
of illicit conduct. Every elected official must bear out his private life with
impeccable integrity, serving above reproach. When fulfilling a political office,
a man does not give up his private life, but the life he leads behind closed
doors must not reflect poorly on his capacities to lead, govern, or represent those
who have charged him with serious considerations for the city. For some offenses,
a man can make amends and remain in office. In Cohn’s case, it would be best
for him to step down, just as General and CIA Director David Petraus resigned
amicably from office for the good of the country.
On another note, we should not damn individuals who run for
office who have had a troubled past, but by their present attitude and record
of achievement demonstrate more than redeeming qualities. By all means, let us
hold our public officials accountable for their present actions, since their
character and their conduct convey an improper image about their communities .
However, let us not continue to condemn individuals who have repented, repaired,
and seek to represent community interests in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment