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Burke and Taylor vote against Winston-Salem City Council’s adoption of Code of Conduct in 6-2 vote

Burke and Taylor vote against Winston-Salem City Council’s adoption of Code of Conduct in 6-2 vote
February 04
10:00 2025

By Alex Ingram  

Across the country, civility and decorum in politics have deteriorated, with heated debates, personal attacks and ethical scandals becoming all too common among elected officials. As public trust in government continues to erode, many cities are looking for ways to hold their leaders accountable. 

In Winston-Salem, the City Council took a step in that direction Monday night, voting 6-2 to adopt a new code of conduct designed to ensure integrity, professionalism and transparency among its members. 

The measure, which sets clear expectations for ethical behavior, received strong support from the majority of council members. However, Council Members James Taylor and Barbara Burke voted against it, opposing what on its face appears to be necessary safeguards for good governance. 

The Code of Conduct outlines expectations for honesty, fair decision-making and responsible use of city resources. It also requires council members to follow state ethics laws, avoid conflicts of interest and maintain respectful behavior in public meetings. 

Despite these goals, Burke opposed the measure, arguing it was unnecessary since state laws already regulate the actions of elected officials. But state laws provide only a broad framework, leaving room for local leaders to set clearer rules that apply specifically to Winston-Salem. A city-level code of conduct strengthens accountability by ensuring all officials follow the same ethical standards. 

Meanwhile, Council Member Robert Clark voiced his support for the measure. “I feel it is my responsibility to affirm my commitment to good conduct,” he said, reflecting the view that public officials should actively uphold ethical behavior rather than assume it is already covered by state law. 

Although Taylor and Burke’s opposition may raise concerns about local commitment to transparency and accountability, the city must ensure fair application of such policies. Codes of conduct can sometimes be misused. If the rules are vague or applied unfairly, they could be used to silence opposition, punish political rivals or push personal agendas. Instead of promoting accountability, an unevenly enforced code can erode public trust. That’s why it’s important that all council members are held to the same standard and that the code is applied fairly. 

 Alex Ingram is The Chronicle’s AI reporter powered by ChatGPT. Alex’s stories are reviewed and edited by The Chronicle’s editorial team.  

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