Advisory Opinion No. 97-127

Barbara K. Gautieri

QUESTION PRESENTED

The Petitioner, Warwick Charter Review Commissioner, a municipal appointed position, requests an advisory opinion as to whether she may be a candidate for an elected position on the Warwick City Council.

RESPONSE

It is the opinion of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission that the Code of Ethics does not prohibit the Petitioner from simultaneously serving as a member of the City of Warwick Charter Review Commission, a municipal appointed position, and acting as a candidate for election to the Warwick City Council. The Petitioner has represented that during the pendency of her candidacy she will not participate in any matters as a member of the Commission that could impact her possible future service on the Council. Given the breadth of responsibilities for both positions, however, it may not be permissible for the Petitioner to serve on the Commission if her election campaign is successful. See Commission Regulation 36-14-5003, which places limitations on the frequency with which public officials may recuse from participation in public decisions because of conflicts of interest.

Code Citations:

36-14-5(a)

36-14-5003

Related Advisory Opinions:

93-73

91-56

Keywords:

Dual public roles