Caroline County Government - Boards and Commissions

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Ethics Commission

Member	Party	Term Begun	Term Ends

Dane A. Coleman	Democrat	10/01/2008	9/30/2009
Charles O. Davis	Democrat	10/01/2008	9/30/2009
Robert Lee Willey	Republican	10/01/2008	9/30/2010
Francis A. Callahan, Jr.	Republican	10/01/2008	9/30/2010
Ellen Ingram Fretterd	Democrat	10/01/2008	9/30/2011

The County Commissioners of Caroline County have enacted a more comprehensive Code of Ethics (

1.1 MB) applicable to all Caroline County government officials and employees, and to County-appointed boards, committees, and commissions. Therefore, the Caroline County Ethics Commission, which serves without pay, was reconstituted in 2008.

The Ethics Commission is responsible for administering the provisions of the County ethics law, including rendering advisory opinions regarding the application of the law to specific situations, investigating and rendering decisions with respect to complaints regarding alleged violations of the law, and reviewing disclosure statements and lobbying registrations. The County Attorney serves as counsel to the Commission and drafts its opinions. Among the tasks of the reconstituted Ethics Commission are the creation and adoption of rules and regulations to carry out the Code of Ethics.

Under the new law, this citizen-comprised board has been enlarged from three to five members. No more than three members of the Commission may be affiliated with the same political party. Initial appointments are staggered as follows: two for one year terms, two for two year terms, and the fifth for a three year term. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for three year terms. Meetings are customarily held during the day at the Caroline County Courthouse in Denton.

Candidates for membership on the Ethics Commission must be residents of Caroline County. Candidates must also have an impeccable personal and professional reputation, and possess the ability to be judicious and impartial. Other desirable qualifications include a history of civic engagement and leadership and the flexibility to meet on short notice. Candidates may be subject to a criminal background check. If appointed, members may be required to attend annual training workshops. Costs associated with such workshops would be paid by the County.

Candidates should submit a brief letter describing why they would like to be a member, and must complete a County biographical information sheet (

272 KB) (which can also be obtained from the County Commissioners Office). A copy of the ethics legislation can also be obtained from the Commissioners Office. Submissions should be sent to:

Caroline County Commissioners,
Courthouse,
109 Market Street, Room 123,
Denton, MD 21629

Submissions may also be made via email to info@carolinemd.org. For more information, please contact Sara Visintainer, Caroline County Commissioners Office at Tel. 410.479.0660 or via email at svisintainer@carolinemd.org.

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Office of the County Commissioners of Caroline County

Jefferson L. Ghrist, President
Larry C. Porter, Vice President, Board of Estimates Chairman
Wilbur Levengood, Jr., Member, Roads Board Chairman

Please address your general comments and questions about government to:

Courthouse, 109 Market Street
Room 123
Denton Maryland 21629

Phone: (410) 479-0660
Fax: (410) 479-4060
email: info@carolinemd.org