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FORD: I'm suggesting that if a County employee gives any council member a <br />donation, a campaign donation, and then comes before the Council to speak for or <br />against an issue, it seems that they should be disclosing their donation, because it <br />might influence the vote. If the County employee says I support X, and you know, <br />this particular thing, we should know that that County employee has donated to <br />another council member. It could influence the vote. <br />CHAIR: Given this particular circumstance, I see your point. But you're proposing <br />something that's very generic, and I can't really be specific unless I know the <br />specific issue that we're discussing and how we could relate- <br />ASHIDA: Mr. Chairman— <br />CHAIR: - -Yes- <br />ASHIDA: If I may, two issues. Number one, this narrow question is not on your <br />agenda, so it violates the Sunshine Law to discuss and opine on it. Number two, Ms. <br />Ford —may I address Ms. Ford? <br />CHAIR: Certainly. <br />ASHIDA: Ms. Ford, if that is something that if - -I believe you wish to have the Board <br />of Ethics consider, by all means you're welcome and we invite you to submit that <br />question to the Board. It can be for an informal advisory opinion or other <br />mechanism within the Board's rules to deliberate. And I think it might help the <br />Board to have a specific fact pattern in writing so they can adequately review it and <br />come to, if you wish, an informal advisory opinion. My earlier recommendation in <br />response to the question was limited to the Board of Ethics. The question posed to <br />me was what would I recommend to Board of Ethics members, and I believe I <br />prefaced my comments by saying that this Board has demonstrated through its <br />conduct a willingness and desire to take the higher road. Based on that, my—I'm <br />not saying that it's a legal requirement that disclosure be made, but it would be my <br />considered recommendation that disclosure be made. A recommendation to the <br />Council may be very different, given different circumstances. Thank you, Mr. Chair. <br />CHAIR: Thank you. <br />FORD: Thank you. <br />CHAIR: At this point, we're about to move into Executive Session, so Mrs. Ford, we <br />appreciate your being here. Would you like to have a final word on anything? <br />FORD: No, thank you, but I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the Board, and <br />we will shutdown our system here. Thank you. <br />CHAIR: Thank you very much. <br />10 <br />