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ALEX LEARYThe resignations come after committee members are told they are subject to the state Sunshine Law.
NEW PORT RICHEY - Two Aloha Utilities officials resigned Thursday from a newly formed committee designed to address problems with black water, saying the public nature of the panel could hinder private business meetings.
The resignations came after a county attorney sent members of the panel a letter last week informing them they were "public officers" subject to the state's Sunshine Law and ethics code.
Aloha president Steve Watford said he could violate the law by talking with the other company representative, David Porter, outside a committee meeting. "The Sunshine Law exists for a reason, and if there is a chance you are stepping over that boundary, it's best not to see how close to that line you can get."
Watford noted a sentence in the county attorney's letter that said, "The Code of Ethics is intended to ensure that public officers conduct themselves independently and impartially, not using their offices for private gain, other than compensation provided by law." Watford said Aloha's participation could conflict with that guideline.
The committee acts only as an adviser to the County Commission. The commission is limited in what it can do. Aloha is regulated by the Public Service Commission.
Assistant county attorney Joe Richards was unavailable Thursday and other staff members in his office had not reviewed a letter sent by Aloha.
Representatives to the committee were named at a County Commission meeting last week. The panel was created after the Legislature passed a bill by state Sen. Mike Fasano. "This is typical of Aloha," Fasano said Thursday. "They always find a reason and an excuse not to participate in solving these problems."
Fasano said he saw no reason why the committee could not continue to operate and said if Aloha is concerned about the Sunshine Law, it can name one representative instead of two.
Aloha's letter said the company was open to discussion with the county about how to resolve the potential problems with its participation on the panel.