MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL TOWN OF FOREST HEIGHTS

RESOLUTION NO. 5 -06 TO ADOPT THE EMERGENCY ORDINANCE ENTITLED

THE ANTI-CORRUPTION ACT OF 2006

INTRODUCED BY:

ENACTED:

WHEREAS, the Legislative Body of the Town of Forest Heights is committed to properly and fairly protecting the rights of the citizenry of Forest Heights as it relates to any and all operations and dealings utilizing Forest Heights taxpayer's dollars; and

WHEREAS, Article 23A, § 2, empowers the legislative body to have general power to pass such ordinances not contrary to the Constitution of Maryland, public general law, or, except as provided in Article 23A § 2B, public local law as they may deem necessary in order to assure the good government of the municipality, to protect and preserve the municipality's rights, property, and privileges, to preserve peace and good order, to secure persons and property from danger and destruction, and to protect the health, comfort and convenience of the citizens of the municipality;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislative Body of Forest Heights shall hereby adopt the Anti-Corruption Act of 2006 in the Town of Forest Heights. The Code and Ordinances of the Town of Forest Heights shall be modified by adding Article 23 – Anti-Corruption Act of 2006 which shall read as follows: No elected or appointed official shall knowingly and/or willfully violate or cause to be violated any portion of the Forest Heights Town Charter or the Ordinance and Code of the Town of Forest Heights. Violations of any ordinance in the Town of Forest Heights shall be a municipal infraction unless the violation is declared to be a felony or a misdemeanor by State law. Section 23.1 Elections – no town official shall interfere with or allow to be interfered with the proper processing of ballots or any election data. Section 23.2 Contracts – No contract shall be let to any entity or person having an established personal relationship with any sitting town official. Furthermore, no contract shall be let to any entity whose principal(s) has an established personal relationship with any sitting town official. This Act may be expanded by resolution of the legislative body of the Town of Forest Heights as warranted; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that non-compliance with this resolution and ordinance shall be deemed a misdemeanor and may be subject to forfeiture of property, arrest, 6 months in prison and a fine not to exceed $1,000.00; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any incident of non-compliance with this resolution, as determined by a majority vote of the town council, shall be prosecuted and/or referred to the State's Attorney for prosecution by the Town Attorney ; and

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage.

PASSED THIS 16 DAY OF February, 2006

Myles Spires, Mayor

George F. Wiggers, Councilman Ward I

Alice Hoskins, Councilwoman Ward I

Clifton Atkinson, Councilman Ward II

Worthington Ross, Councilman Ward III

Attest:

Bonita Anderson, Town Clerk