A collection of well-meaning members of Richmond's Human Rights and Human Relations Commission had a bright idea last year: Develop and recite a "code of ethics" before each council meeting in hopes that collectively hearing the soothing words and admonishments to kindness might reduce the rancor.
So they did. But instead of calming the council, the code of ethics itself became a divisive wedge issue for months before going out in a blaze of inglorious vitriol at a recent council meeting.
Councilman Corky Boozé took aim at the code, proposing an agenda item at the April 16 meeting to look into the apparent scandal of City Clerk Diane Holmes' weekly reading of the code, which should be read by a local "youth or elder," according to the ordinance establishing the code.
"It says youth or elder, not the city clerk!" Boozé thundered. Holmes showed no visible emotion.
The discourse rapidly devolved. Boozé barked at Mike Parker, a resident and member of the Richmond Progressive Alliance who criticizes Boozé, that he "ain't as big as a flea."
The code of ethics, adopted amid a chorus of praise and virtues extolled in January 2013, is no more. The council voted to suspend the reading, presumably judging that it did more harm than good.
Boozé has been consistent. He was the lone member to vote against the code of ethics in the first place.
Part of the original code of ethics resolution included the entreaty to all council members to consider "sensitivity training." None did.