The Miami Herald

Posted on Sunday, April. 2, 2006

Free services to commissioner are an ethical breach

MIAMI-DADE MAYOR CARLOS ALVAREZ'S LETTER TO THE MIAMI HERALD

Re: the March 30 article about free construction services on Miami-Dade Commission Chair Joe Martinez's house:

Since becoming mayor of Miami-Dade County, I have committed myself to restoring ethics, integrity and accountability to county government. Stressing the importance of ethical behavior to all county employees has been a cornerstone of my administration. I have also tried to lead by example. Ethics is the first step toward delivering excellence.

Recent decisions by Miami-Dade County's Ethics Commission have been troubling. A decision to allow County Commission Chairman Martinez to accept free work from two contractors and a board member of the Latin Builders Association (LBA), which is behind efforts to move the Urban Development Boundary.

This ''friendly'' arrangement smacks of a conflict of interest and is exactly the type of behavior elected officials should avoid. It flies in the face of efforts to enhance public trust in county government. Public confidence in elected officials is the most precious commodity any government can count upon.

Martinez's refusal to comment for The Miami Herald's story speaks volumes, as do his actions. Add to this his apparent lack of enthusiasm and action on a proposed ordinance I forwarded to him that seeks to amend the county's Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance. While incredible progress is made on the chairman's 5,300-square-foot house, a proposed piece of legislation that would significantly improve transparency in county government is sitting idle.

CARLOS ALVAREZ, mayor, Miami-Dade County, Miami