Meetings
 
Agenda Item
Docket No. 12-1002
 
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RE:
Request for an advisory opinion concerning whether the Acadiana Fairgrounds Commission (AF Commission) may hire Ms. Ellen Denice while her father, Mr. Donald Segura, serves in a volunteer capacity as a Commissioner for the AF Commission.
Facts:
The AF Commission oversees an agricultural/multipurpose arena called the Sugarena in New Iberia. The facility is owned by Iberia Parish and the AF Commission is appointed by the Iberia Parish Council, however, no tax dollars are dedicated to the Sugarena or the AF Commission. As a result, the AF Commission relies on many volunteers to meet its budget.
One of the eight commissioners is Mr. Donald Segura whom Mr. Vincent contends is a great, irreplaceable volunteer. Mr. Segura was appointed June 2, 2011. Mr. Segura's daughter, Ellen Denice, has been a volunteer for the Sugarena for a number of years. She now seeks a compensated position with the AF Commission. According to the advisory opinion request, the entire AF Commission would like to hire Ms. Denice because she is a capable person who is uniquely qualified because of her great agricultural background and clerical skills. Prior to Mr. Segura's appointment, his daughter's employment was not an option. Ms. Denice would be under the direct supervision of the AF Commission's director, Tim Guidry.

Law:
Section 1119 of the Code of Ethics states that no member of the immediate family of an agency head shall be employed in his agency.

Recommendations:
Adopt proposed advisory opinion.

Assigned Attorney: Brent Durham
 
 
ATTACHMENTS:
Description:
2012-1002 (Draft Opinion)
2012-1002- Advisory Opinion Request