Monday, April 14, 2008
Pike County Ethics Committee Found No Wrong Doing Regarding Forward Pike County Foundation.
In a letter to the Pike County Judge/Executive’s office regarding the Forward Pike County Foundation and its activities, Wayne Hancock, Chairman of the Pike County Ethics Committee, has completed its review of the Foundation.
In the letter dated April 8, 2008, Mr. Hancock affirms the finding of the State Auditor’s office in the financial activities and states the Foundation presents no conflicts for its board members and officers who are employees of County Government.
The Ethics Committee stated that, after review of past and present activities, “…the Foundation has done nothing unethical in the past and determined that is a great asset for the county.”
The letter further states: “Therefore, it is the opinion of the Ethics Committee that the corporation has a legitimate purpose, keeps good records, and is an asset to Pike County. There is absolutely no evidence that any officer of the corporation or any of the current County Judge/Executive’s staff has profited from this organization. It is clear that this is a non-profit corporation and is a benefit to the members of this community.”
“We are pleased with the findings of the Ethics Committee. We simply want to point out that this Foundation is for the benefit and improvement of the County. We are there to assist and to bring people together and to work on projects for all Pike County. We hope the good work we have started and continue to pursue is not affected by some who seek to wrongfully accuse and to undermine the many positive things this Foundation is doing in Pike County. As Judge Rutherford says, progressive regions of the country have such organizations, and Pike County must have one as well in order to compete,” said Roger Ford, Chairman of the Foundation.
In the letter dated April 8, 2008, Mr. Hancock affirms the finding of the State Auditor’s office in the financial activities and states the Foundation presents no conflicts for its board members and officers who are employees of County Government.
The Ethics Committee stated that, after review of past and present activities, “…the Foundation has done nothing unethical in the past and determined that is a great asset for the county.”
The letter further states: “Therefore, it is the opinion of the Ethics Committee that the corporation has a legitimate purpose, keeps good records, and is an asset to Pike County. There is absolutely no evidence that any officer of the corporation or any of the current County Judge/Executive’s staff has profited from this organization. It is clear that this is a non-profit corporation and is a benefit to the members of this community.”
“We are pleased with the findings of the Ethics Committee. We simply want to point out that this Foundation is for the benefit and improvement of the County. We are there to assist and to bring people together and to work on projects for all Pike County. We hope the good work we have started and continue to pursue is not affected by some who seek to wrongfully accuse and to undermine the many positive things this Foundation is doing in Pike County. As Judge Rutherford says, progressive regions of the country have such organizations, and Pike County must have one as well in order to compete,” said Roger Ford, Chairman of the Foundation.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 6:44 PM 
