Norris, Gresham appalled at scandal

By Greg Little, Managing Editor, Covington Leader On Line

June 5, 2005

“Unacceptable.”

“Shock.”

“Regret.”

Those were just some of the words spoken by Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, and Rep. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, in the wake of the scandal in Nashville last week that saw four current lawmakers arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The arrests, part of “Operation Tennessee Waltz,” came near the conclusion of the legislative session.

Arrested were Senators John Ford, Kathryn Bowers and Ward Crutchfield as well as Rep. Chris Newton. Three others were also arrested.

“My initial reaction was one of shock,” said Norris.

“I was certainly stunned and ashamed,” said Gresham.

Then, said Gresham, she began asking herself some questions.

“Why are you ashamed? Why are you upset?,” she said.

Her answer: “Because it strikes to the heart of the representative democracy. The bedrock foundation of our democracy is based on trust.”

Norris said since he has had time to think about everything which has taken place, he’s looking toward the future.

“Now I’m more resolved than ever that we do right and we restore the public trust,” said Norris. “It’s a tall order.”

Norris said that “somehow” state lawmakers “have to redouble our efforts to live up to and enforce the oath we swear to uphold when we take office. It’s that simple and that complex.”

Gresham, too, spoke about the oath of office.

“The oath is pretty clear,” said Gresham.

Gresham said when people elect a person to office, what they are asking is very simple.

“Don’t lie to me and don’t rip me off,” said Gresham. “It’s that simple.”

During this past legislative session, one of the major issues was ethics reform and legislation did pass and was signed by the governor.

“So much of what the legislature worked on in terms of ethics reform this year, from one point of view is unnecessary because our oath of office is all it takes,” said Norris. “If you are going to have people who willfully violate their oath of office, no amount of legislation is going to prevent it. That’s the puzzle.”

But Norris also said working toward even more ethics legislation is likely a good idea.

“A combination of efforts are required,” said Norris. “I think more effort is needed, but maybe in a different area.”

“Absolutely,” said Gresham when asked about strengthening the laws and rules under which lawmakers must operate.

“It’s a bad thing for the state of Tennessee but a good thing to spur us on to pay more attention to the standards,” said Gresham.

She said there is an ad hoc committee which is “supposed to be” looking at forming an overall ethics commission. Some of those discussions could turn into legislation.

“When we get into the comings and going of and the interaction of any of these bills, our awareness must be that much more heightened,” said Gresham.

Both Gresham and Norris said they were never offered a bribe by FBI officials running the covert company. Neither attended a reception held by the company.

“That’s why my initial reaction was one of shock,” said Norris. “ I had never seen anything of a reportable nature from any of these individuals who I serve with in the Senate.”

Gresham said if those people are proven guilty, it raises even more issue.

“Not only don’t you take the money, but report who tries to bribe you,” said Gresham.

Norris likened it to being in school.

“In school, we had an honor code and you had to uphold the honor code and so did everyone around you,” said Norris. “If you knew someone violated the honor code, it was a violation of the honor code if you didn’t report them.”

Though Norris said he has yet to study closely the laws which were the basis for the arrests, he did say he “would have” reported any potential bribes to the FBI.

Gresham echoed that feeling.

Norris said it’s now time for lawmakers to show the people the government can run as it should.

“Politicians can pontificate whatever they want,” he said. “But what good does it do? Actions speak louder than words.”

Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, D-Covington, did not return a phone call from The Covington Leader by press deadline.