Contact: Kathy Zieger, 240-777-2528

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2002

Duncan Seeks Applicants
For Ethics Commission

County Executive Douglas M. Duncan is seeking applicants to fill one vacancy on the Montgomery County Ethics Commission. There are five members on the Commission; no more than three members may be from the same political party. This vacancy is for a Democrat or Independent.

Members must reside in the County and be registered to vote in the County. During the member's term of office, he/she must not hold or be a candidate for any state, county or local elected or appointed office. The member must not be an employee of the state, a political subdivision of the state, or a public body created by the state or a political subdivision of the state. The member may not be an employee or officer of a political party; a member must not participate (except by voting or contributing money) in any state, county or local political campaign. The member must not participate (except by voting or contributing money) in support of or opposition to any question placed on the ballot by state, county, or local government, except on a question that directly affects the Commission. The member may not be a lobbyist who lobbies a county agency.

The Ethics Commission is responsible for rendering advice on the County's Code of Ethics; reviewing and approving outside employment requests for county employees; granting waivers from the ethics law as appropriate; and investigating and adjudicating complaints.

Members serve four-year terms and usually meet one evening per month in Rockville. There are also occasional additional meetings as necessary. Members are required to file public financial disclosure statements annually.

Applicants should write by February 8 to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan at the Executive Office Building, l0l Monroe St., Rockville, MD 20850. A brief resume with work and home phone numbers should be included along with party affiliation. Members of County boards, committees and commissions may not serve on more than one such group at a time.

Duncan's appointments are subject to confirmation by the County Council. Applications of those selected for appointment are made public as part of the confirmation process.