Dunwoody City Council members have agreed to dismiss the ethics charges they filed against one another rather than appearing before the Board of Ethics for a formal hearing.
Following mediation efforts, the mayor and six council members signed an official settlement agreement Nov. 30, in which they agreed to dismiss all ethics complaints and agree not to file any further complaints regarding the same incidents.
As part of the agreement, Councilwoman Adrian Bonser, who was accused of leaking confidential from the City Council’s closed executive sessions, apologized for sharing the information in an email to constituents.
“While at the time I sent a response to a constituent’s email of February 12, 2012 I did not think I was doing anything improper in my role as a member of the Dunwoody City Council. I now understand, some of the information included in my email should not have been included. For that mistake I am very sorry. I pledge to the citizens of Dunwoody to do everything in my power to maintain the highest ethical standards,” Bonser wrote.
In a separate letter, [Mayor Mike] Davis said he is pleased that the City Council has resolved its ethics issues.
“After nine months of public discussions, discovery and exploration I am happy to say the matter has concluded. I am grateful to announce the City and its residents have received a full admission, a statement of contrition and an apology on this matter,” Davis wrote.
Bonser said in an email from her attorney Matt Reeves that she is glad the charges have been dismissed.
“Concluding this ethics matter frees up the Mayor and Council to do the peoples’ business. Education and training on the Open Meetings Act and Executive Sessions, and a review of the Ethics Ordinance, will promote good government in the new City of Dunwoody. Dunwoody taxpayers and citizens are the winners by having this matter concluded now. I am thankful to have the charges against me dropped, and look forward to continuing to serve the people of Dunwoody,” she wrote.
