Smith-Jones Skipped Ethics Pledge
By Brian Kirwin | Friday, September 16th, 2011 | PoliticsConveniently, before Virginia Beach School Board member Sandra Smith Jones was leaving America to work in Saudi Arabia, 10 School Board members signed an ethics pledge.
Sandra Smith-Jones refused.
As reported on Bearing Drift, she did sign the 2010 pledge, which included the promise to “make an effort to attend all Board meetings.”
However, she is the only one to refuse to sign the same pledge this year, as you can see from this document.
11 School Board members. 10 signatures.
Smith-Jones is now overseas making money at her new job, while continuing to be paid by taxpayers for being a no-show School Board member in Virginia Beach.
At least it seems she knew her actions would be a breach of ethics, since she suddenly decided not to join the same pledge she supported a year ago.
There’s one other thing that deserves 10 signatures: A resolution from the Board calling for her resignation.
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About the author
The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.









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Comments
10 Responses to "Smith-Jones Skipped Ethics Pledge"
Are you still whining about her? Get over it. While I may not agree with her choice, she has a right to her view and decision. She meets all the requirements to remain on the board.
Look, I agree, all things being equal, Smith-Jones should resign because she can notperform her responsibilities to the best of her ability. As such, her attempt at reelection, if any, are slim to none. But ethical? Since her standing position is a political maneuver, who would expect ethics from a political domain of half-truths, distortions, and outright misdirection. Ironically, it quite tongue-in-cheek that we are being lectured by this particular author on ethical political behavior.
Wally, given your track record of losing for State Senate, City Council (twice), Clerk of Court, and an embarrassing loss as a write in for Soil and Water Conservation, the irony is your involvement, not mine.
The only reason you never lost running for dog catcher is that we don’t elect them.
Brian, I think a lot of your posts are relevant in intelligent. But in what way does Wally’s electoral history have anything to do with this post or his comment. Your attempt at humor is embarrassing and rude.
Because I know Brian for what he is. A failed school board candidate and a self-serving paycheck from politics irrespective of any ideological beliefs. He has no substantiate beliefs except a self-serving “what’s in for me” posture.
Ben, Wally attacked my ethics, rather than discuss the issue at hand. He’s a big boy. He says he knows me for what I am.
Thousands of voters know what he is. “No means No,” Wally.
Ethics????? What ethics do you possess? BTW, it wasn’t an “attack” as you “frame”. It was a statement of fact.
Wally, just like the mainstream media, insists his negative opinion is fact.
[Henry looks around, realizing everyone is missing the obvious.]
Wally,
You’re one of the last ones who should be lecturing about ethics. Your failed attempt to put LRT on the ballot featured ballot petition volunteers who told everyone it was simply about giving them a vote. In fact, every volunteer was a LRT opponent who wanted to kill the project.
Physician, heal thyself.
Henry:
In fact, “every volunteer” was not opposed to LRT. You have no source to the volunteer list. I can name a half-dozen pro LRT volunteers that circulated petitions to neighbors and friends.
“The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,and whoever utters slander is a fool.” – Proverbs 10:18
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