Here we go again as the law of unintended consequences strikes.

During a combined Lauderhill and county ground breaking ceremony for a new library, the ethics code required that County Commissioner Dale Holness forego a simple bottle of water.

It was a hot day.

What makes it notable is that he bottle of water in question was provided by the City of Lauderhill.

Commissioner Holness is a resident of Lauderhill, and a portion of his own taxes paid for that bottle of water.

Look at it another way; Holness paid for that particular bottle of water he was prevented from accepting.

But the code is the law as approved by the voters last November.

Although I agree with most of the ethics code, the strictness of the gift ban is absolutely ridiculous.

State and city workers are limited to a "gift" of $25 while state law requires reporting of any amount over that limit (meaning even a single penny over.)

Statewide, elected officials are limited to $100 before reporting.

Except of course, in Broward County where there's not a limit, but a ban.  Zero.  Zilch.  Nada.

Being held to a higher standard is a good thing.

But there is a real difference between a good thing and ridiculous.

Now let's really get ridiculous:

One thing that Commissioner Holness could have done was to stop at the nearest 7-11 and purchase a bottle of water, and then turn in the receipt as a legitimate expense.

Legal and appropriate.

And of course, every bit as ridiculous as the ban on accepting that bottle of water in the first place.