Erin LaPere | Ethics Committee Member
Tenet 7 of the ICMA Code of Ethics: “Refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators. Refrain from participation in the election of the members of the employing legislative body.”
Tenet 7 comes with a number of guidelines to aid members in staying within the ethical framework. The second sentence of the tenet is fairly self-evident for members, although what constitutes “participation” may not always be clear. However, I would like to focus on the first sentence which is much broader in that it restricts participation in all political activities when those activities “undermine public confidence in professional administrators.” The guidance provided by ICMA does clarify that personal advocacy—in the form of voicing one’s opinion on public issues of personal interest when it does not conflict with performance of professional duties—is acceptable, but in today’s hyper-partisan political environment, almost any issue can turn into a flashpoint. Further, it can be difficult to predict when an opinion on a public issue may become a reflection on professional administrators as a whole. Topics that may have felt “settled” in the public domain are being re-engaged and even re-litigated.
How do you face the challenge of maintaining your personal ethics and speaking your truth on public issues of the day, while maintaining the boundaries required of your professional role? How do you parse through the overlap of the personal, political, and professional issues that face us in our leadership roles?
One invaluable resource is a trusted advisor—maybe this person is a mentor or a friend—whatever the term, having a person who you can confide in is essential. It is especially helpful to have someone who has been in local government management and understands the balancing act professional managers face. If you are that friend or mentor, being a listening ear is a privilege and your ability to remain neutral, offer honest feedback, and keep the discussion confidential ensures that we can count on one another to help us navigate these uncertain times. It can be lonely at the top—if you are struggling with finding a person to help you talk about an issue, there are resources available. Any member of the Ethics Committee would be happy to serve as a listening ear. Also, the MME Senior Advisors are always available to help. Reach out—chances are, someone else has already faced a similar situation and can help!
Erin LaPere
Member, Ethics Committee
Deputy Township Manager, Delta Charter Township
Erin was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. She graduated cum laude from Eastern Michigan University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in English Language. She began her public service career in 2006 with the Village of Beverly Hills. During her 14 years there, she held progressively responsible roles and responsibilities. In April 2020, she completed her master’s of public administration and policy from University of Michigan-Dearborn with high distinction. She relocated to the mid-Michigan area in January 2021 after she was appointed city manager for the City of Charlotte, where she served for two and half years before taking her current role. She has served as deputy township manager for Delta Charter Township since August 2023 and looks forward to a lengthy tenure in the community.
Erin has two children, a dog, 16 chickens, and four pet fish. She enjoys reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She, her husband, and children love to travel, and they frequently take trips around lower Michigan and the UP to go camping and fishing.