Editor's notebook
Mayor Pro Tem Todd Turner has a decision to make. Maybe. April 10, the city's Ethics Commission released a resolution ordering Turner to "terminate" his dual employment as a legislative officer for the Prince George's County Council and his elected position as a City Councilman.
It's not the first time the commission has spoken on the subject, but it should be the last time. Whether his dual employment is an actual conflict or a perception of conflict has been discussed by the commission and the community almost the entire time Turner has served on the City Council. It's dogged him through his recent efforts last fall for re-election and he won over 50 percent of the vote, and continues to nip at his heels.
Some in the community would say that the commission is only an advisory group that interprets the Ethics Code, but Sec. 2-69, VII, states that if the commission determines a violation, and in Turner's case the commission has said his dual employment is a violation, then the commission "may take any enforcement action provided for" in Sec. 2-73 of the city's code. Sec. 2-73 states that the commission can direct the city attorney to file a petition in Prince George's County Circuit Court that the court "issue an order to cease and desist from the violation."
As we said, Turner has a decision to make.
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Bowie Boys and Girls Club is entangled in a difference of opinion with Prince George's County Boys and Girls Club and its executive director Calvin Massie.
PGCBGC board members will vote May 8 whether to pass an amendment to the club's bylaws that would exclude organizations around the county from participating in athletics outside of the borders of Prince George's County. Depending on who you ask, BBGC will lose territory to South Bowie Boys and Girls Club, or the county organization will be wiped out. Neither is likely to happen - at least not overnight.
BBGC folks would like all of its participants to know that the organization is not going anywhere. BBGC is a 501(c) nonprofit organization and will continue to act as such. PGCBGC will also continue to conduct its business, with or without the participation of Bowie. SBBGC will prosper and could feasibly gain more members over time.
The fact of the matter is this: The adults involved need to take a hard look in the mirror and consider the best interests of the youth athletes. Massie and BBGC president Monica Evans need to sit down and talk - and not the kind of talking that President Bush conducts with heads of state during press conferences in the White House Rose Garden. The dialogue has to be constructive and grievances must be aired.
Once in a while it pays to not only hear, but listen.
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Saturday, from sunup to sundown, about 50 youngsters involved in Campfire USA met at a summit/forum/brainstorming session at Bishop McNamara High School, to discuss and learn about the importance of not drinking and driving, but hopefully, not drinking at all.
Bowie students as well as others across the county involved are to be commended for their efforts, as editor David Emanuel and education reporter Matt Armes can attest to, after having spent the day with the youngsters.
More to come on this issue in future editions.
