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Resident alleges conflict of interest in December EV‑charger vote; council debates disclosure and records process
Summary
At its Jan. 12 meeting, the Friendship Heights Village Council heard a public allegation that a council member who originated a December motion to install a free EV‑charging station owns an electric vehicle; council members disagreed over whether the resident’s email constituted a records request and defended the prior votes. The council adopted an ethics policy the same night.
A resident told the Village of Friendship Heights Council on Jan. 12 that materials and video from December’s discussion of an electric‑vehicle charging station showed a potential conflict of interest.
"That's a conflict of interest. The use of public funds for personal gain," said Bobby Hester, who cited a public record and the December meeting video that, he said, identify the council member who originated the motion to provide free use of the station and who owns an EV. Hester said he had filed a records request and initially was told no responsive records existed; he later found a document on the village website and the village manager confirmed its existence.
Mayo…
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