Surprise city councilman: Politics behind new criticism

Surprise City Councilman Joe Johnson's recent signed admission that he violated the state's Open Meeting Law means he also should be held accountable for violating the city's ethics policy, citizen watchdog Ken Wright says.

"I would hope that the council would consider this a serious matter and not sweep it under the rug," Wright said.

But Johnson said Wright's motives are political. Wright's friend, Mike Woodard, is considering a second run against Johnson for the District 5 seat next fall.

"It's not a secret that he and Mike Woodard obviously talk on a regular basis, so the people of Surprise and anybody that can add two and two would understand the motive behind Mr. Wright," Johnson said.

In August, Johnson signed a letter acknowledging the findings of a state Attorney General's Office investigation that outlined multiple violations of the Open Meeting Law by the Surprise City Council in 2006-'07. As part of the remedial process, Johnson was required to sign a letter acknowledging his role. While he took issue with some aspects of the investigation and its findings, he signed the letter to put previous City Council controversies behind him and avoid future "negative press and negative images to our city."

The city has had various incarnations of an ethics policy dating to January 2007. The most recent version was passed in April and combined existing ordinances and policies in one easy-to-read document. The state's meeting law is listed in the "legal compliance" portion of the ethics policy. The policy also outlines punishments if a violation is identified. A first offense would require a member to receive a public reprimand.

Councilman Richard Alton said pursing an ethics complaint against Johnson would be unreasonable.

"What happened in the past is in the past," he said. "He's doing a fine job with the council, and we have to just go on."

It also is unclear whether Johnson could even be cited for a violation. According to the policy, a complaint must be made within a year of any suspected violation.

But Wright reasoned that there was no proof of a violation until Johnson signed the acceptance letter in August.

"It was all supposition until he signed the letter," Wright said.

Surprise City Council member Joe Johnson during the City Council meeting Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008 in Surprise.