At their December meeting, the Polk County Democratic Party Executive Committee unanimously voted to approve a resolution to show support of Governor Beverly Perdues recent state workers gift ban.

The resolution also urges the Polk County Board of Commissioners to adopt a code of ethics in a timely manner as set forth in a recent state statute.

Democratic Party county chair, Margaret Johnson, stated Our executive committee members are committed to doing everything we can to see that elected officials are also held to the same high standards that Governor Perdue has set for state employees. We want citizens to feel confident that their elected officials are going to be responsible and accountable to the people they serve, not to special interest or to their own personal gain.

The text of the committees resolution is as follows:

WHEREAS, North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue has signed an executive order expanding the state worker gift ban to bar all workers in state agencies under her control from accepting gifts or favors from vendors, and

WHEREAS, Governor Perdue has stated those of us who serve the people of North Carolina must be held to the highest ethical standards and act accordingly. Citizens expect and deserve nothing less and

WHEREAS, Polk County Government Personnel Policies state: The proper operation of County government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that governmental decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Polk County Democratic Party Executive Committee supports Governor Perdues executive order banning gifts to employees under her control, and request she work with the state legislature to pass legislation also banning gifts from anyone conducting business or bringing issues before state and local officials.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee urges the Polk County Board of Commissioners to thoughtfully and timely adopt a Code of Ethics as directed by recently enacted statute.