By ANA ROMERO VIGIL
Commissioner Miles Lucero was censured by a vote of the Pueblo County Commissioners Sept. 30 for violating ethical protocols by disclosing commissioners’ discussion while in executive session.
The statement “breaking the law” was removed from the censure and it was passed.”
The censure vote was the result of a contentious public meeting Sept. 18. following the Sept. 16 meeting where Dr. Gregory Grahek, was named interim County Coroner. The censure vote was the only agenda item for Sept. 30 meeting..
Censure, different from censorship, was explained by Cynthia Mitchell, board attorney. “Censure is expressing severe disapproval of something in a formal statement.”
According to Commissioner Zack Swearingen, chairman, the issue is that the county government has to make sure that, when negotiating business deals behind closed doors, the discussions stay confidential. If negotiation details were to be released before completed, he explained, county opportunities would be lost when competitors hear of the breach of information shared with commissioners. Indeed, Swearingen noted that the county or commissioners could be sued for breach of confidentiality, particularly he mentioned real estate discussions.
Seven citizens were allowed to speak on the censure prior to the vote. The chambers were at maximum capacity with at least 25 others in the hallway, demanding entry.
Among the speakers was Hilary Glasgow, executive director of COWINS and coordinator for Southern Colorado Labor Council. “We don’t put up with retaliation in the union house,” she said. “We know retaliation when we see it and it may need to be answered when voters determine the level of transparency and proprietary in county business.”
Former educator Ed Perry started his three-minute talk by emphasizing the importance of the commissioners’ task in restoring confidence in the coroner’s office.
The confrontations at the Sept. 18 meeting were focused on the coroner selection with Commissioner Lucero revealing the financial contribution made by Zolanye McCulley-Bachicha, an interim coroner candidate, to his campaign. Commissioner Paula McPheeters did not reveal her personal connection to Dr. Grahek, as a long-time friend, classmate and donor, in her comments. Commissioners McPheeters and Lucero had dueled during the meeting about who had lied and who had revealed their votes at the Sept. 16 meeting.
Perry went on to say he had approved of the recommendation to not appoint someone associated with the (funeral) industry. He wanted to see the commissioners do what is in the best interest of the county.
Before the vote, Commissioner Lucero expressed his regret for being over aggressive with Commissioner McPheeters and noted that he just wanted to move passed the censure, which doesn’t specify any sanctions, to get to other projects he has going. He acknowledged that the vote did not include hindering his speech or remove him from his committees. Commissioner Lucero continued to deny he had breached confidentiality.
The vote to censure was taken and it was passed.