You’re kidding, right?

By Doug Page | Monday, August 13, 2007, 02:31 PM

I guess the best, most appropriate thing to do is shake one’s head.

So many things these days are said in code.

A public official offers his resignation in order “to spend more time with my family.” Translation: The grand jury is empaneled, indictments expected.

A company announces the resignation of a top executive “in order to pursue other business opportunities.”

Translation: He got sacked.

An elected official issues the statement, “I didn’t realize anyone would consider what I did inappropriate.”

Translation: Oops.

Consider the last one. What qualifies as inappropriate? And does it take a rocket scientist to figure it out?

Here’s the scenario: An elected official sits on a body that determines zoning and development.

The elected official has a business. He solicits and receives a contract from a developer — or the developer solicits the service from him.

While he is receiving money from the developer for the service, the elected official is also voting on matters that affect the developer.

Do you consider that inappropriate?

I asked several people — from rocket scientists (yep, really) to factory workers (just as smart as rocket scientists) last weekend what they thought.

The result was unanimous: it stunk.

So when the mayor of Beavercreek is caught in the identical situation with the developers of The Greene, what is one to think when he says: “I didn’t realize that someone would consider that I was acting inappropriately on these issues and might interpret that as showing favors”?

Yeah, it pretty well stinks.

Colleague Chris Magan reported last weekend that Mayor Scott Hadley’s printing company, which he operates with his wife, did some work for The Greene. His company did the work while he sat on the City Council, determining the scope and the shape of The Greene.

Magan reported that when confronted by other council members in April, Mr. Hadley wrote them a letter of apology, of sorts, and has since removed himself from discussions concerning The Greene.

Officials from The Greene told Magan the job was only a few thousand bucks — or as a spokesman put it, “We’ve spent more money with the Dayton Daily News in a week than we have with Hadley Printing.”

Yep, and they probably spend three times as much with DP&L, though I’m not sure I see the connection.

Mr. Hadley is well-known in the community. He has served the community in just about every volunteer role and on the City Council. He was one of the founders of the local chapter of Rotary International.

Many can speak to his good works.

It leaves one shaking his head at what appears to be Mr. Hadley’s tin ear for ethics.

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