Conflicts of interest in Duluth

As a procedural violation, abstaining from the vote while not publicly declaring the nature of a conflict is a minor infraction at worst. Actually voting when a conflict exists is an entirely different matter.

Also, on most boards, a director is permitted to abstain from voting without giving an explanation; abstaining doesn’t mean a conflict exists. Is it clear in all the 55 instances of abstention that a conflict existed?

What may seem minor to out-of-town Canadians is important to others, especially local reporters. We like to know which of our elected officials is connected to what. I see no reason why councilors should fail to fulfill this very simple code requirement 87 percent of the time. People are so coy about their money.

I could be wrong, but if there is a conflict the person should also remove themselves from the room and conversation. That may be extreme, but I would think that the City Attorneys can help all with the requirements.

I have seen commissioners abstain before as well when no outward financial dealings were evident but maybe their vote could have caused disfavor with the City Administration and the organization they work for. All the more reason to understand the reasons for abstaining.

The chair or president (in the case of the council) should be the one that requests more information when councilors are abstaining.