if they can is it legal for them to vote on things related to the volunteeer fire department?
2006-12-14 02:34:05 · 9 answers · asked by blackbird 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Depending on local statutes it may or may not be legal to vote on directly relating matters.
Ethically, I would think that a volunteer firefighter would recuse themselves from any vote concerning their own department, especially if it concerns compensation or perks and benefits. Of course, I would expect that the rest of the city council would look to this member as their own personal research on the department.
2006-12-14 02:43:26 · answer #1 · answered by Gem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because the volunteer doesn't receive any pay (and hence has no real conflict of interest) there is no reason, under general ethical considerations, why he or she couldn't serve on the city council. I would say that in general it is not only legal for the volunteer to vote on issues related to the fire department, it's also wise; who better would know the issues and challenges facing the department?
Of course, each city has its own rules on eligibility, so you need to check the city ordinances to make sure.
2006-12-14 02:43:30 · answer #2 · answered by Playboy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT is a constitutional right to be able to run for office. A person unless a felon or not a citizen can run. The firefighter distinction makes no difference.
A person should abstain as to anyting self interest in a vote. However, a volunteer fireman, may not be considered self interersted to vote on fire department issues as he is not paid, but a volunteer. There shoud be an ethical opinion on in it in your state depending on which state you are in. That most likley will control the situation.
2006-12-14 02:43:53 · answer #3 · answered by Cy Gold 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There probably is no law prohibiting them from running (assuming that they are of age, resident, all that) and if elected to the city council, then yes. Generally, on firefighter related issues they are allowed to vote, but the politically correect thing to do might be to abstain. However, it migh be nic to have an inside opinion on te council when it does come time to vote.
2006-12-14 02:44:14 · answer #4 · answered by phoenixbard2004 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely. City council members are elected by the people in the city.
Most people run for city council because of a few particular issues they want to attend to. Unfortunately, many of those issues has to do with making money, such as land development issues. So I don't think there is anything wrong with someone trying to increase funding to the fire dept., or something similar.
2006-12-14 02:42:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes a volunteer FF can be on the city council and yes it is legal for thm to vote on things related to the fire department
2006-12-14 02:40:00 · answer #6 · answered by unit_804 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I believe you can ,however on matters concerning the volunteer FD I would recuse myself from the vote to avoid even the appearance of collusion (similar to a judge recusing self from a case due to personal involvement) EM
2006-12-14 02:41:01 · answer #7 · answered by herbwood2003 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes he or she can serve on city council
yes it is legal for them to vote
2006-12-14 02:41:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can, i think..... I did anyway, but i would abstain from voting on F.D. issues.
2006-12-14 02:44:55 · answer #9 · answered by rlnoon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋