Steven Steel - is it a Conflict of Interest...You be the judge.

Is it a personal attack when you ask a question regarding a spouse who works for a bargaining unit that you as a board member will have to approve the collective bargaining contract and whether the board member can be unbiased in their decisions made on behalf of the community? Why is this a personal attack? The Urban Coalition sent Mr. Steel a letter in August putting him on notice about potential conflicts. Mr. Steel has had two months to do his homework. Either he has not done his homework or he was intentionally keeping this information from the public. Either way, is this a person you want on the school board representing your interests? Read the transcript below.

The Ohio Ethics Commission has said that a spouse can vote on a contract for a class of employees even if a spouse is part of this class of employees. While this may be Okay with the Ethics Commission, will this result in the best decisions for our community. You be the judge!

We believe it is a valid question and information that voters should have!

Link to Ohio Ethics Commission Information Sheet #1, Restrictions on Hiring Family Members, section VII A

Link to Ohio Ethics Commission Opinion 89-005

Transcript from 10/13/04 WSPD Morning Show - Board of Education Debate.

Bob….Being free of conflicts of interest is critical in making unbiased decisions in the best interests of the kids of Toledo. Do any of you have any conflicts that we should know about and how they might impact the decisions you make on behalf of Toledo?

Chris Myers.…I believe one of the candidates here has a spouse that is on the executive committee of the Toledo Federation of Teachers. I don’t have any conflicts of interest. I actually lost endorsements because I wouldn’t go the way these special interests wanted.

Bob….Alright since you brought it up. Is it a conflict of interest to have a spouse that is in the TFT and on the leadership of TFT?

Chris Myers….How can you with confidence make decisions based upon, school decisions, when you have someone there that’s going to be directly affected by the decisions you make money wise and also just informing what’s going on.

Steven Steel….Now if I could respond to that since it was directed directly at me. This is typical of the stark contrast you see here between candidates. Obviously they are attacking my wife. It is a personal attack on me. It is typical of the bullying negative attitudes. So everyone knows and is very clear on this. Conflicts of interest is a very specific term and there is a body in the state of Ohio called the Ohio Ethics Commission. I am a little bit emotional because this about my wife. Called the Ohio Ethics Commission that determines conflicts of interest. I have already been in contact with them. I know the answer to these questions and we will address it when the time comes. This is a personal decision and as I say it is typical of the personal attacks this group is known for.