LETTER: There's no conflict of interest here!

I am sure some residents of Destin read the article in the Destin Log on Wednesday, Jan. 27, concerning my candidacy for City Council and my application to be selected as the next executive director of the Tourist Development Council. The article essentially posed the question, “Is there a conflict of interest or not?”

In order to clear this up, I contacted the State of Florida Commission on Ethics. In retrospect, I probably should have done that prior to my applying for the TDC position. I explained the situation to Julia Cobb Costas, assistant general counsel of the State of Florida Commission on Ethics.  If the commission had concluded there was a conflict of interest, I would have immediately withdrawn my application to be the executive director of the TDC.

But after researching the matter, she confirmed in writing that the Commission concluded, based on previous legal opinions, that a conflict of interest would not be created if I “…were to be elected to the Destin City Council and also become employed by the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council.”  The Okaloosa County attorney and the city of Destin Attorney also concur with the opinion.   

I appreciate the support of all the citizens of Destin, and I hope this puts this matter to rest.  I am confident that I can do a good job at both of the positions and serve in the best interest of the people. The various events of local politics have made me very sensitive to conflicts of interests.  You can rest assured that this will not be an issue if I am elected.

— LARRY HINES
Destin