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Evans believes calls from commissioner inappropriate

By Amy Karpinsky 3 min read

A former Fayette County Zoning Hearing Board member claims it was unethical for a veteran Fayette County commissioner to call him at home about zoning cases. “I think there should be code of ethics for commissioners. I don’t think commissioners should call you at home at night and say they are getting heat on hearings,” said former ZHB member Leon Evans.

Evans, who along with ZHB member Dennis Nurkiewicz resigned last month after the commissioners failed to approve a proposal to improve operations for the ZHB, said Monday that he received telephone calls from a county commissioner regarding zoning cases while he was on the board.

Evans declined to name the commissioner, referring to him only as “one of the senior commissioners,” but Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites did not deny making the calls.

Vicites is in his third term as county commissioner, while Angela M. Zimmerlink and Joseph A. Hardy III are in their first term.

When asked about the issue, Vicites confirmed that he has called various ZHB members regarding cases and was never told there was a problem. “If I’m getting calls on something, I’m just passing on information,” he said. “It’s kind of an input thing.”

Vicites said he is completely aware of his role and would never try to influence anyone’s vote on an issue. “I don’t tell anybody how to vote. I’ve talked to various ZHB members they never told me it was inappropriate. When people are calling and writing to me all I ever would do is pass on concerns,” said Vicites.

Evans said he doesn’t believe that the calls were appropriate because at no time did he ever reciprocate. “At no time did I ever call him and ask him how he was doing, but he would see fit to call me and it would inevitably lead to the same scenario. I think what prompted phone calls was the zoning hearing issue,” said Evans.

“(Vicites) would say he was getting some pressure on cases and then add that he was sure when the time comes for a vote, you’ll vote the right way.”

Evans said of the unsolicited input from Vicites, “I think it’s not kosher.”

Vicites said he was merely passing along concerns. “I never said anything inappropriate. I think I was just following through on input I’m getting,” Vicites said.

Vicites said that while he wasn’t trying to influence any ZHB vote by communicating with Evans, he feels it important that as a public official, he pass along all information he receives.

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