Ahem...Ethics Anyone?

Talk about validation! I have been quite vocal on the fact that we have Ethics issues here in our City's government from what I have been witnessing since I was elected to the Common Council. I've spoken about lack of oversight and cronyism which is one reason we see our taxes continue to skyrocket.
In the latest story on the Kings Inn the Freeman has reported some hanky panky going on with the removal of copper pipes at the Kings Inn site.

http://www.freemanonline.com/articles/2011/08/31/blotter/doc4e5d97f6d7e5d500485225.txt?viewmode=fullstory

The Council was asked to approve an additional $135,000 for asbestos removal from the Kings Inn. The committee was ready to approve but I insisted we have more information. It was then Sue Cahill told us there was a theft at the sight which left many questions unanswered. (you can read them in a previous post)
Now, there may be more to it than we thought. This "theft" is now morphing into another mess where the City hired a contractor to prep the sight, was there a bid process for this work? Did this firm have insurance and are we now putting taxpayers on the hook for an asbestos exposure lawsuit? I have also discussed this with Alderman Landi who chairs the Finance Committee and he agreed that the lack of details on what we have spent with little oversight could also jeopordize the bond which is needed to cover the costs.

This is why we need to pay closer attention to details, without those unpopular questions this entire thing could have gone by without anyone noticing. $135,000 is a lot of money and the fact that this job was given to a regular vendor of the City is troubling. I have requested a full disclosure of the money we have spent so far on the Kings Inn site as well as ask for an Ethics Panel review. They Mayor claims we've had this panel in place for over a decade but they never met. Well, now they have a damn good reason.