Kevin Dayhoff owns a landscape design business and also serves on the Carroll County Environmental Affairs Advisory Board, which, among various duties, oversees implementation of the county's forest conservation ordinance. At the board's last meeting, because Mr. Dayhoff handed his card to a witness, he now finds himself answering unfair charges that he was soliciting business.
Mr. Dayhoff was appointed to represent the county's environmental interests. By his own account, Mr. Dayhoff believes his job on the board is to promote an environmentalist ethic. He also believes that as a member of the board, he has the responsibility to enhance people's understanding of the forest conservation ordinance. It was in this regard that Mr. Dayhoff finds his actions under suspicion.
Laurel Sand and Gravel Co. wanted a variance from the forest ordinance for a proposed Finksburg storage lot for the company's crushed rock. Stephen L. Huber, a consultant representing the gravel company, said his client would have to spend between $16,000 and $22,000 to comply with the law. Mr. Dayhoff challenged the consultant's estimates and said the cost would be closer to $1,000.
After the meeting, Mr. Dayhoff gave his business card to Mr. Huber. The purpose, he said, was to offer the consultant free advice on how to make a more convincing case for his clients the next time he appeared before the board. Mr. Dayhoff denies that he was soliciting business.
When professional people sit on county boards there is the real possibility they can use their positions to help their businesses or professional practices. It has happened in the past.
Mr. Dayhoff said his intention was to offer free and unsolicited advice that would advance the understanding and implementation of Carroll's controversial forest conservation law. Such an undertaking is proper and well-meaning.
One aspect of this flap does merit attention. The county attorney's office has not systematically informed volunteers on county boards of their obligation to abide by the county's ethics code.
It would be in the government's best interests to have regular briefings on ethics so that citizens donating time to boards and commissions don't find themselves mired in questionable ethical situations.