Public office is a public trust, and any effort to realize personal financial gain through public office other than compensation provided by law is a violation of that trust. In order to strengthen the faith and confidence of the people in their government, the people have a right to be assured that the financial interests of holders of or nominees or candidates for public office do not conflict with the public trust. Public confidence in government can best be sustained by assuring the people of the impartiality and honesty of public officials. Furthermore, it is recognized that clear guidelines are needed in order to guide public officials and employees in their actions.
All public officials and public employees of the Borough and all nominees and candidates for public office within the Borough and all other persons shall comply with the requirements, as applicable, of the Public Official and Employee Ethics Law of the commonwealth, 65 P.S. § 401 et seq., as amended.[1]
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Editor's Note: The Public Official and Employee Ethics Act, 65 P.S. § 401 et seq., was repealed by Act 93 of 1998, Oct. 15, P.L. 729, No. 93, § 6(a)(2). See now 65 Pa.C.S.A. § 1101 et seq.