The Mayor's Conflict of Interest
Mayor J.M. Weatherwax considers resignation over city contracts issued to his own lumber company.
Mayor J.M. Weatherwax stated that the city treasurer had refused payment on certain warrants issued to the J. M. Weatherwax Lumber company, of which he was a stockholder. As his company was largely involved in city contracts, he felt he would be compelled to resign unless the matter was adjusted in some way. The council asked for time to look the matter over.
“As his company was largely involved in city contracts, he felt he would be compelled to resign unless the matter was adjusted.”
Conflicts of interest in local government are as old as the city itself, though today's ethics boards handle what was once settled via blunt, public ultimatums in council meetings. It is a reminder that Aberdeen's early governance was essentially run by the same men who owned its primary industry.
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