Chairman ofImmigration Board "Need for Ethical Guidelines in PublicService"
Chairmanof the Immigration Board and attorney-at-law, Mr. David Ritch
The lack of clearly defined ethical guidelinesfor all who serve the public in one way or another poses a dangerto society, Chairman of the Immigration Board and attorney-at-law,Mr. David Ritch has noted.
He was speaking at the United DemocraticParty's dinner, following its inaugural conference at the GrandPavilion Commercial Centre, this past Saturday, and addressedthe issue of "Ethics in Public Service".
Acknowledging that while it is true thatcivil servants and other obvious public service personnel do operateunder certain specific rules and regulations, Mr. Ritch said notenough has been done to examine and set standards by which othersmay model their approach to discharging public duties.
"All too often persons like myselfwho sit on boards must grapple with numerous ethical issues includingconflicts of interest, personal likes and dislikes or lobbyingby members of the public who may have either an interest in seeingsomething approved or not approved.
"In the end, other than two lines ina law warning against conflicts of interest, we are often leftas individuals to wrestle internally with ourselves from timeto time in striving to be fair, impartial and thus ethical inthe discharge of our duties," Mr. Ritch said.
He challenged "those in authority"to devise "a programme that will not only educate personsin public service in the practice of sound ethical decisions indischarging their daily duties, but will create an environmentwhere ethical behaviour becomes promoted and valued and therebybecomes the norm."
Mr. Ritch encouraged the Caymanian people"to become involved in the political process whatever theviews or leanings, because it is only through involvement onecan become a catalyst for change."
Mr. Ritch's address followed the UnitedDemocratic Party's plenary sessions and elections, which confirmedthe Hon. McKeeva Bush as Party Leader and the Hon. Linford Piersonas Deputy. Also confirmed as Party Chairman was Mr. William Reid.Two new deputy chairmen Ezzard Miller and Bruce Blake were also elected.