Advisory Opinion No. 96-12

Re: Martha McGehearty

QUESTION PRESENTED

An employee of the Narragansett Bay Commission, serving as a Senior Management and Methods Analyst within the Commission's Executive offices, requests an advisory opinion as to whether she may simultaneously serve as a member of the City of Providence Review Commission, which oversees spending and hiring practices within Providence City Hall.

RESPONSE

The Rhode Island Code of Ethics does not prohibit an employee of the Narragansett Bay Commission, a Senior Management and Methods Analyst within the Commission's Executive offices, from simultaneously serving as a member of the City of Providence Review Commission. You have advised the Ethics Commission that in your employment with the Narragansett Bay Commission you have no involvement in any issues or matters involving the City of Providence, nor do you interact with any City of Providence officials regarding any issues or matters within that municipality. Similarly, as a member of the Review Commission you would be involved with spending and hiring practices of the City of Providence, not with any issues or matters relating to the Narragansett Bay Commission. Based on these factors, there is no indication that simultaneous employment with the Narragansett Bay Commission and service on the Review Commission will impair your independence of judgement with respect to service and/or employment on the other, nor is there any indication that the simultaneous service in and of itself creates a substantial conflict with respect to carrying out your duties in the public interest. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-5(a), (b) and (d).

Keywords

Dual Public Roles