In a methodical editorial, the Louisville Courier-Journal joins the five members of the Metro Council who moved to impeach Councilwoman Judy Green, D-1, in arguing she must be removed from office.A bipartisan group signed a petition for removal Monday, which was delivered to the council clerk’s office and cites the two ethics complaints filed against the embattled city lawmaker.Last week, the ethics commission ruled on the first complaint, slapping Green with its harshest penalty in a unanimous decision that she intentionally violated the ethics ordinance by committing nepotism and enriching members of her family in a city-funded program she lobbied funding for.The trial against Green could start within 60 to 90 days, and will be decided by a two-thirds vote whether to oust her or not. But in the meantime, observers are chiming in with the hope that Green will step down.From the C-J:The (ethics commission) closed its damning report by invoking the strongest penalties it could for Councilwoman Green — letters of reprimand and censure, to be issued later — but it also recommended that the full Metro Council start the proceedings to remove Ms. Green from office.
That would be a sad end to her public life, but the ethics commission's findings are unequivocal.
In what is the first real test of the city's new ethics law, the council members must come down on the side of law. Five Metro Council members brought charges Monday that could result in Ms. Green's expulsion from the council. That is an appropriate start. Next, the entire body must act in a forceful and nonpartisan manner to restore confidence in their integrity and effectiveness as elected officials by upholding the law.If Ms. Green will not resign, the council must remove her from office.
Since the decision was handed down by the ethics panel, Green has been selective in which media outlets and reporters she speaks to on the record while taking a number of swipes at fellow members.Calling the process a "sham", Green has refused to resign, made accusations of similar misconduct against her colleagues and recently contended other council members have harassed her since joining in 2007."There are some bullies on that council," Green told WAVE-3. "That have been bullying me from the day one I got on the council."