Caroline County ethics commission reports Nov. 6 closed session, approves five candidates' financial disclosure forms

The Caroline County Ethics Commission reported on a Nov. 6 closed session held under Maryland law and approved five county commission candidates' financial disclosure forms during its June 4 meeting.

The commission chair said that at the Nov. 6 meeting the panel "held a closed session pursuant to Maryland code annotated general provisions section 3 dash 3 0 5 b 1" to discuss county commissioner applicants' names and financial information and that the commission had sought legal advice on reviewing financial disclosure forms and compliance with requirements to shield financial information from public disclosure. The chair listed those who attended the earlier closed meeting for the record.

Commission member Tina Pinder Kintop moved "that we approve the financial disclosure forms of candidate Porter, candidate Winston, candidate Friday, candidate Breeding, and candidate Mann." A fellow commission member seconded the motion, the chair called for assent and the commission approved the forms by voice vote, after members signified "aye." The chair then stated, "The financial disclosure forms as submitted are approved by the Ethics commission."

Earlier on the agenda the commission moved and voted to enter a closed session at the June 4 meeting under the same sections of Maryland Code Annotated cited in the Nov. 6 report. During that vote the commission conducted a roll call, with recorded "aye" responses from the chair and the named members present.

The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn. No date for the next meeting was set in the transcript.

Authorities cited in the meeting were Maryland Code Annotated, General Provisions section 3-305(b)(1), (7) and (13).