You
should know that the New York City Ethics Committee has opened up an
investigation into the writing of my weekly column, which I titled “What
You Should
Know” (WYSK).
It
is important for you to know, my dear reader, why and what motivates me
to write this column, which I have done for more than 20 years.
I
want you to know that for the past (16) sixteen years, while I served
as a New York State Senator, my column was always e-mailed through my
Senate email address
“Senator Ruben Diaz” Diaz@NYSenate.com. I was never investigated by the Senate’s Ethics
Committee for violating the Senates rules and ethics.
I
believe that it is my right as an elected official to inform, not only
my constituents, but the state, city employees and the general public as
a whole about
important issues, negotiations, or to write on the antics, and
conniving manner in which some things are done, especially those things
that have an impact on New York State/ City residents.
I
strongly believe transparency is of great importance. Therefore, I
write on issues that are being done secretly or in a conniving manner,
be it intentional
or unintentional. I must ensure the people have a full understanding of
what is actually being done by their representatives or what impact, if
any, these actions may have on their lives. So, I write to inform the
public, hence the title “What You Should
Know.”
Sometimes,
I am compelled to write late at night. When a thought or an issue that
I feel you should know comes to mind, my sleep is interrupted, and I
wake
up in the middle of the night to write on the matter of importance that
you should know.
I
have never used this column for personal gain or for political
purposes. This column has never been used to raise money, nor to
endorse, support or ask to
vote for any candidate in particular. This column has always been to
inform and as a public official to express my position on public issues
that are being discussed and may become law.
This
column is also a way for me to inform the public on coming activities
and planned community events related to education, cultural events,
parades, etc.
This
column also presents the positions and opinions expressed by other
public officials especially if those opinions differ when in private,
than those expressed
in public. When it comes time to vote some elected officials will
vote differently than what they promised in public. This is wrong. Therefore, I will write on it, because I strongly feel that the people
we represent have a right to know. If I don’t
write on it, the people may never know, and they have a right to know
what their legislators are doing.
Once
in a while, some in the New York media will comment on the topics
covered on “WYSK”, and at times the press have reprinted my column in
its entire format.
There
are readers of “WYSK” that have given it praise and compliments
regarding the topics covered. There are other readers who criticize
“WYSK”. But either
way, this is great, because it just shows the American way of
expressing our right to free speech.
Now
I have been in the New York City Council a mere six (6) months and
rumor has it that one of my colleagues did not like a “WYSK” and
therefore has filed a
complaint against me, placing my reputation, integrity, and honesty in
question.
The
City Council’s Ethics Committee has opened an investigation and the
media has written an article reporting that I am under investigation,
giving the wrong
impression. Some have said that I am being investigated for
corruption.
This
is unfair, unjust and unnecessary. I sincerely hope that the “Ethics
Committee” does the right thing and puts an end to this as soon as
possible. I
also pray that other members of the City Council will never be put
through this kind of situation.
I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz and this is
What You Should Know.
No comments:
Post a Comment