Yes or No? Rules for city workers at DNC

By John C. Ensslin, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 25, 2008 at 7:35 p.m.
Updated June 25, 2008 at 7:35 p.m.

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Denver will be center stage when the Democratic National Convention comes to town, and, as the saying goes, the whole world will be watching.

That's one reason the Denver Board of Ethics decided to hold a panel discussion Wednesday for city employees who might have questions about what they can and can't do during the DNC.

About 30 city workers and a handful of business people attended the session in the Parr-Widener law library. Here are a few of the hypothetical scenarios the board posed, along with answers on what a city employee can or can't do.

Scenario:

"I am a Denver police officer. I have been asked by my brother, who is a delegate to the convention from Oklahoma, to provide off-duty security for a rodeo party for the Oklahoma delegation. The delegation will pay me $500. Can I do this?"

Answer: Yes, provided the work is done off-duty and provided the officer obtains prior written approval from his supervisors.

Scenario:

"I am a city council aide who works for a city council member who is actively supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton as a candidate for vice-president.

"Can I make telephone calls on behalf of Sen. Clinton during my city work time from my work phone? What about during city time on my personal phone? What if my boss tells me to do so? What if my boss and I have been offered jobs on Vice President Clinton's staff?"

Answer: No. No. No. And No.

Scenario:

"Can I take vacation time off from work to hold a sign at a gathering in support of Sen. Clinton?"

Answer: Yes. With a few exceptions, city employees have the same free speech rights as everyone else. The possible exceptions are judges and people working in the judicial system who operate under a different code of ethics.

Scenario:

"I am the purchasing director of a major city department. My sister is a delegate to the convention from Denver and she has invited my husband and me to a lavish reception with musical entertainment. May we attend?"

Answer: Yes, provided the sister and the host of the party are not contractors with the city.

Scenario:

"I am the manager of a catering company that is providing food and a cash bar at several convention parties in various locations. We are very anxious to expedite the the licensing and inspections by health and liquor license staff. May I take the city inspectors our to lunch to discuss our needs?

Answer: Technically, yes. The code of ethics allows an employee to accept up to four meals in a calendar year from the same donor if attendance is reasonably related to official duties.

However, Board chair Edgar Neel indicated "this gets into an area of the appearance of impropriety. Technically it's allowed but it really might not be a good idea to do that," Neel said.

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