City of New Orleans Ethics Review Board Holds First Meeting and Elects Officers

(New Orleans)—The first meeting of the Ethics Review Board took place on January 26, 2007, at Xavier University at which time officers were elected.

The Rev. Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., president of Loyola University New Orleans, was elected chair; the Rev. Cornelius Tilton was elected vice chair; and Mrs. Elizabeth Nalty was elected secretary. Other committee members are: Mrs. Leah Chase, Mrs. Kathryn Lorio, Dr. Beverly Favre, and Mr. Winston Brown.

In re-capping the meeting, Wildes comments, “The most important and immediate task we face is establishing a search and selection process for the city of New Orleans’ first inspector general. With that in mind, I am consulting actively with the head of the National Association of Inspectors General who will give us assistance in identifying qualified applicants.”

Members of the Ethics Review Board are working on a job description for the inspector general based on the language of the ordinance approved by the city council. At the February meeting, the board will adopt a job description in order to move forward with a search. “As I see it, we should be in a position to receive applications by April 1 and choose a suitable candidate by June 1,” Wildes adds.

The next meeting of the Ethics Review Board is scheduled for 2 p.m., on February 23, in Room 205 C of the University Center at Xavier University. The meeting is open to the public.