Trust in government officials through ethics standards – Vermont Act 171

Dear Editor,

Act 171 has opened a door for Killington to strengthen trust between town officials and the community they serve. For seven years I was a law enforcement officer in the city of Alexandria, Virginia, a stone’s throw south of Washington, D.C. The profession comes with a heightened level of community trust, and to maintain this trust tools such as the Brady List are utilized. This list contains names of officers who can no longer testify in court. They are added for lying, withholding information, or failing to disclose exculpatory evidence, being on this list is a true mark of disgrace. In short, if the officer acted unethically, they lose the trust of their department, the court, and the public. Though it can end a career, it is a practice I hold in high regard. Trust and transparency are necessary for any community to work.

On Jan. 1 of this year, 2025, the state of Vermont took a step forward in protecting municipal trust between our local government officials and the public. Act 171 creates the Municipal Code of Ethics, a minimum standard of ethics rules for all municipalities in Vermont.

Many Vermont towns benefit from their small population. However, a small population also increases the chance of encountering conflicts, or perceived conflicts of interest. And that’s ok, that’s not the problem! Act 171 sets guidelines for prohibited behaviors including preferential treatment, misuse of information, misuse of government resources, soliciting/receiving gifts, and benefiting from contracts. 

Act 171 also gives the municipal officials and the public the tools for success. One of which is the new ethics liaison. This designated person is the town’s connection to the state ethics commission. The liaison can assist in asking the state ethics commission about specific issues which may arise. The new update gives the commission the ability to provide guidance and feedback. An item of note, a private citizens can always go directly to the state ethics commission with their concerns.

The state ethics commission, acting as an independent, non-partisan, third-party can be a powerful tool for a town like Killington. It offers an outside opinion, aiming to resolve the conflicts and preserve trust. Through its guidance and recommendations, it can even help bring trust back when lost. Preserving trust between the municipal officers and the public is paramount and having conflicts is not atypical. At these junctures we need to acknowledge conflicts while still preserving trust in each other. Trust and transparency are necessary to make the system work.

Patrick Cushing,
Killington

Editor’s note: Cushing works in intelligence and investigations, with prior experience in the areas of Law Enforcement and Psychology. He is currently running for a seat on the Killington Select Board.