The DeKalb County Board of Ethics is short-staffed after another one of its members stepped down this week, leaving a smaller board to review a heavy caseload of ethics complaints against public officials.
Bobbie Kennedy Sanford, a real estate agent, tendered her resignation from the Board of Ethics this week, according to the office of Interim DeKalb CEO Lee May. Another member of the board, Robert Blackman, quit in March after arguing with a government employee during a meeting.
The board, which is now down to five members, is considering ethics allegations against several county commissioners and other DeKalb employees.
Sanford declined to comment when reached by phone, and her resignation letter didn’t offer an explanation.
A new law signed by Gov. Nathan Deal this week requires the DeKalb Board of Ethics to be reappointed next year, with the board's members chosen by various community groups instead of by elected officials. The changes to the board will be on the ballot in November for voters to decide.
May plans to respect the spirit of that law by seeking recommendations from the community groups, including the DeKalb Bar Association and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, before appointing replacement Board of Ethics members, said spokesman Burke Brennan. May has the authority to make these two appointments until the new law takes effect.
Board of Ethics Chairman John Ernst said he hopes board members are chosen quickly.
“It’s imperative that we get board members appointed as soon as possible,” Ernst said. “It will allow us to continue our work and to continue our current caseload.”
About the Author
