(1997)

Dear Mayor Grimes:

You have requested our opinion on the law governing recusal of a member of the Board of Aldermen for the City of Frederick who is a decision maker in a quasi-judicial proceeding. Specifically, you ask if the member is required to recuse himself or herself, to quote your letter, "from participating in any discussion, consideration, deliberation and vote on a matter on which the public official has already publicly stated his or her opinion and decision in advance of hearing the facts and evidence in the case." You also ask if the Board of Aldermen has the authority to…