Laserfiche WebLink
Honorable K. Angel Pilago <br /> October 6, 2006 <br /> Page 6 <br /> Finally, we again caution you that others (including members of the public <br /> as well as sitting members of the Board of Ethics) may have a different opinion <br /> as to the interpretation of the prohibitions found in our Code of Ethics. Thus, we <br /> cannot guarantee that (1) your actions will not be challenged and a complaint will <br /> not be brought against you if you proceed, and (2) what the Board of Ethics will <br /> ultimately conclude with respect to any violation of our Ethics Code. <br /> A factor compounding our analysis in the instant case is the fact that this <br /> involves a contested race for a Council seat. In the event the candidate you <br /> endorse is not elected, it may result in alienation and discomfort between you <br /> and the Council member that is ultimately elected. Some members of the public <br /> who have been openly critical of Council activity in the recent past may further <br /> point to such discord as being inconsistent with the overall collective desire of the <br /> Council to unify for the benefit of our entire island community. <br /> In matters related to the Ethics Code, our office generally advises our <br /> clients to take "the high road," and avoid placing themselves in situations that <br /> lead to even the appearance of impropriety. The decision of whether to endorse <br /> a Council candidate belongs to you, and as discussed infra, in our opinion it <br /> would not be prohibited by our Code of Ethics. <br /> Thank you for allowing our office to opine on this matter. If you have any <br /> further questions, please feel free to contact me. <br /> Very truly yours, <br /> ayl*,--, <br /> LINCOLN S. T. ASHIDA <br /> Corporation Counsel <br /> Encl. <br /> c: Honorable Stacy K. Higa, Council Chair (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Virginia Isbell, Council Vice Chair (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Fred Holschuh, Council Member (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Donald Ikeda, Council Member (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable James Arakaki, Council Member (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Gary Safarik, Council Member (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Bob Jacobson, Council Member (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Pete Hoffmann, Council Member (w/ encl.) <br /> Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor (w/ encl.) <br /> Corporation Counsel Attorneys (w/ encl.) <br /> S: Departments/Council/LSA Corresp./Letter to A Pilago re campaign endorsements and ads 10-6-06/LSAmr <br />