As local government becomes increasingly complex and as our
democratic processes draw citizens from every walk of life, there
is increasing need for standards of ethical conduct as a guide for
public officers. These standards must rest primarily on personal integrity
and on community vigilance; law cannot in itself create moral fiber,
nor can law quicken the civic conscience. In support of these basic
standards, it is the purpose of this chapter to define areas of conflicts
of interest in Village transactions. This chapter has as its purpose
the protection of the public from municipal contracts influenced by
avaricious officers, and to protect public officers from unwarranted
assaults on their integrity.
The establishment by this chapter of a Board of Ethics as an
arm of Village government, together with standards of ethical conduct,
is intended to provide honest, efficient government to the citizens
of the Village of Brockport.
The primary purpose of this Code of Ethics is to provide a formula
of conduct which is not only clear but reasonable and which will permit
governmental employees to share the normal benefits of the democratic
society and economy they serve and to attract and hold competent administrators.