By Daryl J. Delabbio
“It’s easier to sleep at night with a bad legal decision rather than toss and turn over a bad moral decision. In other words, ‘Just go ahead and sue me.’” ~ James E. Leidlein
When I was in the profession, I got to know Jim Leidlein. Old-timers like me who have/had been in the profession for a long time (and I mean that in the most complimentary way, but I won’t mention names…you know who you are) knew Jim. He was the long-time city manager of Harper Woods, served on the MML Board, was a member of the MME (and its predecessor names) Ethics Committee, and was the author or co-author of—among other things—a book, ETHICS IN CITY HALL. He was also an adjunct faculty member of Wayne State University’s Department of Political Science. Unfortunately, Jim passed away far too young in 2012, at the age of 60.
Jim was not only a great guy and a true professional, but also an advocate for ethical leadership…in the community he served and in the profession. As I was thinking about a topic for this article, Jim Leidlein came to mind. I bought ETHICS IN CITY HALL many years ago and still have it. I even had him sign it. He and his co-author provide ethical situations that local government professionals might find themselves in, along with discussion questions at the end of each situation.
If you are interested in buying a book devoted to local government ethics, which I highly recommend, here’s a link: https://www.amazon.com/Ethics-City-Hall-Discussion-Administration/dp/076375532X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3FBFO193IYPGQ&keywords=ethics+in+city+hall&qid=1678400470&sprefix=ethics+in+city+hall%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1.
And by way of disclosure, this isn’t a paid announcement. It’s just a remembrance of a very good person in our profession who left us too soon.
And one more plug about ethics resources: The MML partnered with the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys to publish an Ethics Handbook in 2008. If you haven’t already done so, check it out: https://www.mml.org/pdf/ethics_handbook.pdf. And this one is free!
Daryl J. Delabbio
Chair, Ethics Committee
Retired Municipal Manager
Daryl Delabbio spent 40 years in local government leadership. From September 1998 until his retirement in July 2017, he served as county administrator/controller for Kent County, Michigan. From September 1995 to September 1998 he was assistant county administrator. Prior to coming to Kent County, Daryl was city manager of Rockford, Michigan for 11 years, and held administrative positions with two other Michigan communities from 1977 to 1984. Throughout his career, Daryl also served as an adjunct faculty member in both graduate and undergraduate programs at Davenport University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, and Wayne State University. He holds a BA in political science and a Master of Management from Aquinas College, a Master of Public Administration from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. Daryl was active in numerous professional organizations, including the International City/County Management Association (executive board – midwest regional vice president, 2014-2017), the Michigan Municipal Executives (president, 2001), and the Michigan Association of County Administrative Officers (president, 2008-2010). Daryl can be reached at djdelabbio@gmail.com.