Last week, Commissioner Marie Young abstained from voting on a motion to ask the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to help enforce a cease and desist order against a burrow pit owned by her aide’s husband. The IN requested a copy of the form Young filed explaining her decision.
The reason given:
“Item CAT Discussion II-1 could inure to the special gain or loss of Anthony Green, who is the spouse of my aide. While I do not have a conflict of interest that requires me to abstain from voting under ch. 112, Fla. Stat. , I am abstaining due to the appearance that could be a conflict as set forth in section 286.012, Fla. Stat.”
Young sided with her aide over the best interests of the county. She could have a taken a strong stance and shown that she didn’t condone the actions of her aide’s husband. Instead, she abstained.
Read MVC.Comr. Young.