Little controversy surrounding DeKalb’s latest ethics referendum
For the second consecutive year, DeKalb County voters will weigh in on an attempt to reshape ethics oversight in their local government.
And while the referendum held in 2019 raised the hackles of local watchdogs — and was subsequently shot down by a significant margin at the ballot box — this year’s effort appears to be devoid of any such controversy.
The DeKalb Citizens Advocacy Council, the community group that led the push to sink last year’s vote, has endorsed the changes brought forth by state legislators this time around, saying they remedy the problematic ethics board appointment process and don’t compromise the board’s independence.
Ed Williams, another longtime community activist, has also urged voters to choose “yes.” And officials who have pushed for bigger changes within the county ethics office also appear to be able to live with what’s proposed.
If voters approve the measure Nov. 3, DeKalb’s long-dormant ethics board would be revived by the start of 2021. Here are the major changes.
