A December advisory opinion from the Ohio Ethics Commission creates a chilling effect on Ohio University employees who might run for public office, city Law Director Garry Hunter wrote in a letter Tuesday to an OEC representative. As a result of the opinion by OEC Chief Advisory Attorney Jennifer Hardin, three City Council members employed by OU did not vote on ordinances concerning development on OU-owned land. The main subject of the opinion was an OU administrator who did not vote.Hardin added in the opinion that the OEC had not previously considered the differences between council members who are university administrators, faculty or contract employees.The OEC has received at least one similar request for an advisory opinion from a university community, according to Hunter's letter.In his letter, Hunter requested a chance for the city to tell the OEC why state ethics law should distinguish between university administrators and other university employees.
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