Citizen's Group Requests Municipal Bond Advisor Recuse Himself from City
Council Citing Conflict of Interest

Orange County, CA (PRWEB) May 8, 2006 -- Proponents of an initiative to
require voter approval of Certificates of Participation (COPs) have
submitted a formal request to City Attorney Robin Clauson requesting
that Municipal Bond Advisor Keith Curry, who was recently appointed to
the Council, should recuse himself from participating in any council
action pertaining to the Municipal Debt Initiative, sponsored by
Newporters for Responsible Government, a citizens group opposed to the
use of COPs to finance the construction of a new City Hall.

In his letter to the City Attorney, NRG spokesman and attorney John
Buttolph followed the analysis of "Conflict of Interest" provided in the
rules of the California Fair Political Practices Commission as the
criteria for determining the existing conflict. "I believe Mr. Curry
must comply with Government Code Section 87105 and Regulation 18702.5
when any matter related to the Municipal Debt Initiative is considered
by the Council… Mr. Curry must publicly identify in detail the economic
interest and relationships that create the conflict, must step down from
the dais, and must leave the room."

Keith Curry, appointed in January to fill the remainder of the term for
former Mayor Heffernan, is the president of NAIPFA, a national bond
industry trade association whose website states that its purpose is to
influence legislative matters of interest to firms providing financial
advice to public agencies.

Curry is also managing director of Professional Financial Management,
the nation's leading financial advisor to government clients, including
the City of Newport Beach. Curry has denied any conflict.

On April 3, NRG submitted 7411 signatures to the City Clerk for
certification to qualify the initiative for the November ballot; 6006
verified signatures are needed. Once qualified, the City Council will
consider their options of either adopting the initiative or placing it
on the November Ballot.

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Press Contact: John Buttolph
Company Name: PUBLIC INTEREST
Email: email protected from spam bots
Phone: 949-955-2033
Website: nfrg.org