Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki today announced his nominees for the City Ethics Commission. The slate includes three representatives from the private sector, a union leader, and three political leaders.
The board traditionally reviews the conduct of public employees, but it dissolved in 2015. The list of nominees marks the beginning of a process to reinstate the Commission. The nominees will be up for a vote when City Council returns from summer recess.
“I appreciate the willingness of this distinguished group of citizens to serve in this important capacity,” said Mayor Purzycki. “The duties and responsibilities of the Ethics Commission are established by virtue of the City Code and include the referral of alleged violations of conflict of interest and code of conduct provisions to the City Solicitor for investigation.”
The nominees include:
- William Johnston, a Republican who is an attorney and partner with the Wilmington law firm of Young Conway Stargatt & Taylor (nominated for a four-year term commencing in 2017)
- Charles H. Toliver IV, a Republican who is an attorney with the law firm of Wilmington law firm of Morris James and a retired judge (24-years) with the Delaware Superior Court (nominated for a four-year term commencing in 2017)
- Faith Meisinger-Petit, a Democrat who is the National Director of Customer Service with Corporation Service Company (nominated for a four-year term commencing in 2017)
- Melvin Phillips, a Democrat who is a member of the board of directors of the AFL-CIO and president of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist Delaware Chapter (nominated for a four-year term commencing in 2017)
- Demetrio ‘Junior’ Ortega, a Democrat who is a former three-term member of Wilmington City Council (5th District) and the former executive director of the Latin American Community Center (nominated for a four-year term commencing in 2017)
- Frank Hawkins, a Democrat who is the Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement for AIDS Delaware (Frank is a current member of the Commission who is being re-nominated to serve through the middle of April 2019)
- Denison Hatch, a Republican who is the president of the Highlands Community Association (Denison is a current Commission member who is being re-nominated to serve through the middle of April 2019.
