KEVIN ACKLIN ANNOUNCES PLAN TO REVAMP APPOINTMENT PROCESS TO CITY'S BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, June 25, 2009
CONTACT: Andy Gastmeyer, Press Secretary
412.327.6951 cell
KEVIN ACKLIN ANNOUNCES PLAN TO REVAMP APPOINTMENT PROCESS TO CITY'S BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES
Says removal of Lestitian 'not an isolated incident'
PITTSBURGH - Independent Mayoral Candidate Kevin Acklin is submitting to Council today a legislative proposal to overhaul the manner in which the Mayor appoints and removes members of City Boards and Authorities. Acklin called this "an important first step toward making our City's government more accountable to the people we are elected to serve."
"My purpose is clear: I want to ensure that there is integrity and honesty in this process, and that members of City Boards and Authorities have the independence from the Mayor to do the job they were hired to do on behalf of City taxpayers."
Acklin's three-part plan includes the following:
• Proposes that all appointments to City Boards and Authorities be submitted to City Council and subject to an up or down vote.
• Calls for the creation of a non-partisan commission composed of leaders from various sectors across Pittsburgh, whose purpose will be to interview and evaluate candidates for appointment to City Boards and Authorities.
• Establishes clear guidelines in order to remove any member during the term through which they have been appointed, requiring evidence of some minimum level of just cause and seek the approval of City Council.
The announcement comes on the heels of Luke Ravenstahl's removal of Debbie Lestitian from the Stadium Authority. Ms. Lestitian is well known as an independent voice on the Stadium Authority who asked some very important questions about the perceived misuse of taxpayer owned property.
"I have long thought that the Mayor's power to appoint and remove members to City Boards and Authorities should be exercised with restraint and good judgment."
"The Mayor should value the independence of these public servants who serve on organizations whose very purpose is to conduct the City's business insulated from the whims and influence of politics."
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