2007-11-14 Board of Ethics Minutes Regular Session

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Motion and vote: Ms. Lum moved to enter Executive Session, and Ms. Malanka seconded the motion. All members voted aye. Executive Session was entered at 11:00 a.m. The Board re- entered Regular Session at 11:12 a.m. The Chair stated that they reviewed the financial disclosures of Marilyn Nicholson, Rodney Watanabe, and Ron Whitmore. Motion and vote: Ms. Lum moved to accept and file the disclosures, and Mr. Dill seconded the motion. All members voted aye. 8. ANNOUNCEMENT The Chair asked if anyone wanted something added to the next agenda. Ms. Nicholson asked at what point of a meeting a Board member should make the disclosure of a possible conflict and whether there was a time period for having made a campaign contribution. The Chair said the disclosure would be made when the person is about to start testifying and that there should be no time frame on when the donation was. Mr. Ashida said there are no hard and fast rules on the issue. They need to consider the facts and circumstances of the situation. Disclosing is not a law, but a good practice. They are holding themselves to a higher standard. Ms. Nicholson said they should disclose if they feel there might be a bias, or if someone else could perceive there might be a bias, and Mr. Ashida said that was correct. The media can get a hold of things and portray them negatively, so it is best to just make the disclosure. The Chair announced that the next meeting was scheduled for December 12, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Liquor Control conference room at 101 Aupuni Street, Suite 230, Hilo. 9. ADJOURNMENT Motion and vote: Ms. Lum moved to adjourn, Mr. Dill seconded the motion, and all members voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m. Respectfully submitted: Mary E. rosson, Secretary 11