The Village of Thornton Board recognizes the need for decision-making
and public responsiveness, which requires a commitment to ethical,
business-like and lawful conduct including proper use of authority
and appropriate decorum when acting as a Board member. Accordingly,
each Board member will:
Engage in no self-dealing or the conduct of any private business
of personal services between any Board member and the organization
except as procedurally controlled to assure openness, competitive
opportunity and abuse of "inside" information.
Not use his or her position to obtain employment for him- or
herself, for immediate family members or close associates. (Should
a member desire employment, he or she must first resign.)
Make decisions involving the welfare of the Village based on
study and evidence, recognizing that personal feelings, opinions and
other such factors are not conducive to sound decision-making; and
understand that respecting the opinions of fellow Board members is
vital.
Recognize that the individual Board member has no authority
over Village policies or operations and shall speak or act for the
Board only when specifically authorized to do so by action of the
Board.
Understand and respect the separation of Board responsibilities
and functions from those of the Administrator and staff. The Board's
responsibility is to ensure that the agency is well managed —
not to manage the Village.
Understand and follow all provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings
Act, as well as any other applicable statues that govern the conduct
of elected officials.
Be available and responsive to residents by interpreting the
needs of citizens to the Village and by interpreting the actions of
the Village to citizens without favor of any particular geographic
area or interest group.
Keep the best interests of the Village in mind by considering
him- or herself a "trustee" of the Village and doing his or her best
to ensure that it is well maintained, financially secure, growing
and always operating in the best interests of those the Village serves.