The Rock Hall Council voted last night to put the Clerk Treasurer’s Office directly under the supervision of Town Manager Ron Fithian — in order to end a “threatening atmosphere” and “hostile work environment” that has existed under Mayor Robert Willis over the last two months, said council members at last night’s town meeting.
Staffers said they feel “threatened” and have been saddled with a barrage of additional work assignments from Willis that obstruct normal daily operations.
“The mayor is scourging the [staff] with excess work with emails — one right after the other,” said Councilman Olin “Butch” Price. “I know the mayor has an agenda, but at the same time he has to respect the fact that” the staff has other work to do.
“He’s asking them to do things that are out of the ordinary, and I think it really needs to stop,” Price said.
Price also said he spoke to the staff and believes the threatening atmosphere comes in the form of Willis’ “demeanor” towards them.
Clerk Treasurer Stephanie Loller and Assistant Clerk Treasurer Lacey Cox were the subject of a letter written by a private citizen, who was concerned about the two’s working conditions under Willis over the last two months. Vice Mayor Brian Jones read the letter in open session last night and all council members received the letter last Friday.
“Everything that has gone on in the last…two months now cannot continue to go on,” said Loller at last night’s council meeting. “It has to stop, nobody can work like this. It is a hostile working environment. The tone in the emails is just absurd.”
Loller said she had brought her concerns to Councilman Brian Nesspor and Fithian.
The council voted 4-0 to put the clerk’s office under Fithian. Willis now has to make all requests for information through him. Willis was out sick and did not attend last night’s meeting, nor did he return calls to his cell and business by the deadline for this story.
Jones said he spoke to both Rock Hall Police Chief Steven Moore and Fithian after receiving the letter — and was assured by Fithian that “steps were taken to make sure the town employees are safe and that [Fithian] maintains a safe and orderly environment for the town employees at all times.”
Councilwoman Susan Francis said she was unaware of the situation and Jones quickly repudiated her claim.
“That’s not true,” Jones said. “All councilmembers received this message [and] I called all the council members.”
Francis responded to Jones that she got an email from a second party but was not personally notified by any employees.
“We followed the chain of command and reported it to our supervisor,” said Assistant Clerk Treasurer Lacey Cox in response to Francis. “If the mayor is the one doing the threatening, how can I report that to the mayor.”
“When it was brought to my attention, I just assured people that we have a police department right next door,” Fithian said. “We will handle issues as they arise and we are not going to treat this any different than any other threat…If something were to happen, we would definitely put it in the hands of the police.”
But Jones said he spoke to the police and they felt it was more of a work related matter.
The move to put the clerk’s office directly under Fithian comes less than a week after the council stripped Willis of direct control of the police and the tram operations.
Below is a letter the concerned citizen wrote on behalf or Loller and Cox.
“It has come to my attention that some of our town employees do not feel safe at their jobs due to the threatening atmosphere that pervades our town and its government. This is unacceptable. Please take immediate steps to ensure that all town employees are safe and feel safe at their place of employment.”
Gren Whitman says
Dan Menefee continues his fact-filled reporting on the ever-developing situation in Rock Hall.
He is to be commended for his professional coverage. The Spy is surely the most up-to-date news source for our town.
Last night’s workshop meeting chaired by Vice Mayor Brian Jones was a positive contrast to the generally dreadful meetings chaired by Mayor Willis.
Mr. Jones kept it on track, stuck to the agenda and moved it forward steadily and purposefully.
Clearly, Mr. Jones can take over as Rock Hall’s mayor if Mr. Willis decides to resign, as so many of us pray he does.
Mike Hunt says
Gren, I’m praying with you too on this one. Please Willis, make this all stop–
Paula Ruckelshaus says
The currently political morass in Rock Hall is an utter disgrace on all counts. While the daily folderol reported in the SPY makes great fodder for political cartoonists and others who take delight in opportunities to lampoon the Eastern Shore, the transmogrification of Kent’s second largest municipality into a boiling banana republic is a real embarrassment for many locals, including me. Apparently, no one holding political office in Rock Hall, no town employees or consultants and no persons engaged in reporting on this debacle have taken the time to read the Town Charter – that clearly delineates the powers and authorities of the Mayor and the Council. Had anyone done so, they would know that the town charter makes NO mention of a position of Vice Mayor and clearly provides that an elected Mayor holds office for either ” a 4 year term or until a successor is elected and qualified.” No matter how aggrieved the Rock Hall town council and townspeople may be relative to Mayor Willis’ actions, etc., they are not above the rules of law and due process in their response. Surely, the town counsel can – and most certainly should – define and urge the council and the town administrator to follow both to the letter.
Liz Smith says
Certainly, this is an opportune time to examine the way business has been conducted in the Town. This is not to point fingers, but to recognize that over time, policies have a way of becoming relaxed and the so called “good old boy” methodology takes over. I think that most folks with a lick of common sense will agree that government has become cumbersome and often nonsensical. On a municipal level, we have some leeway to define some of our local charters and ordinances. It is time to review and implement consistent practices that resist any appearance of conflicts of interest or impropriety.
Regardless, of who holds office, if we fail to learn our lessons from this, we will only repeat past mistakes.
Jim Jones says
Is there anything in the Town Charter about substance testing? If not certainly the council could pass such a measure.
kurt kolaja says
This is a news story. It is certainly not folderol or fodder.
Liz Smith says
It seems that this unfortunate saga is headed in the direction of Mayor Willis having his feet held to the fire for the strange sequence of events in the last couple of months. Certainly, his leadership ability is very questionable and the motives for his behavior remain a mystery.
Clearly, no employeee of the Town should feel under duress while at the office. Stephanie and Lacey are to be commended for soldiering on through the melee. Can a house divided continue to stand? It doesn’t appear likely.
Yet, as Rome burns, I can’t help but raise the nagging question ….. Is there REALLY something more to this ….?
Gretchen Stroh says
Thank you for covering “Rock Hall” events in your “Chestertown” website
A Mills says
Forgive me but “Rock Hall coverage in the “Chestertown” section??? Maybe I’m missing something – The Rock Hall Wave has nothing on it’s regarding this issue when I checked (although if you want to know what is happening at the beginning of May please do check it out…) and unless I’m mistaken there isn’t a Rock Hall paper.
Oh. Perhaps we are to wait till Thursday morning to read what is going on in Rock Hall?
Robin Wood Kurowski says
Hi, A Mills …..
Robin here from Rock Hall Wave. I took a bit of a break, but I think between the Chestertown Spy, Kent County News and War for the Shore, you can find issues like this addressed. There is another Rock Hall site, The Rock Hall Masthead.
I prefer to cover events and do stories about Rock Hall events and history.
This weekend is our Rockfish Tournament:
MWA Rockfish Tournament is this weekend:
https://rockhallwave.com/2013/06/03/18th-annual-mwa-rock-tournament-june-7-9/
MB Troup says
Oooh a swerve in the latest episode. Holmes has disappeared, and it now appears that Irene Adler works with Moriarty. Will Watson come to the rescue?
As I mentioned in the last episode, and Paula mentions here, going back to the government as chartered is what’s needed. Segregation of duties and the chain of command cannot be this malleable. I count no fewer than three Alex Haigs right now. “I’m in control here.” Well if five of them are saying it, is anyone really in control?
Gren Whitman says
@Troup
Mike: for now at least, our town’s government is under the sensible management and direction of Councilmen Jones, Price, and Nesspor, who in the past several town meetings have voted to adopt common-sense measures to restore order.
Town Manager Ron Fithian is working under their direction, and is supervising all the town employees.
All actions to restore civic sobriety in Rock Hall have been taken in accordance with the town charter and majority rule.
Jones, Price, and Nesspor have conducted the town’s business with Mayor Willis present and with Mayor Willis absent; it really doesn’t matter whether Willis is there or not (although the meeting on Monday sans Willis was lots more relaxed and productive).
As far as Councilwoman Francis is concerned, she’s painted herself pretty much into a corner labelled “Irrelevant.” She can rant and rave and holler and stomp … but, so what?
Cora Dickson says
Before we start thumping on the Charter like it’s the Bible, let’s consider that it might actually be outdated. Take a look for yourself, if you have the copious free time: https://ecode360.com/12119264
For example, it was pointed out in the meeting that the Treasurer-Clerk no longer has the authority to sign checks. This is due to the advice of an auditor. But the code does not yet reflect it.
It is regrettable that the Charter does not have a recall procedure. This unfortunate situation has pointed to the necessity, otherwise we can only take the position of calling for the mayor to resign voluntarily after reflecting on his behavior and how it has affected the town. Since some people are more vocal than others, it is better to have a voting procedure. There is a town in Cecil County which amended its Charter for the recall provision, and this example was raised to the Council for their consideration. It probably would not take effect on the incumbents however.
The above article accurately reports on ONE segment of the meeting. Many other issues were addressed, some of which had positive results. I agree with Gren that it was well presided by Brian Jones and the atmosphere overall was positive. The audience got adequate time to speak without derailing the meeting. I call upon the Chestertown Spy to provide a more balanced view of what happens in the meetings, not just the drama.
There are many positive things happening in Rock Hall. And there are people on the Town Council who are trying to get things back on track. We have more public engagement than recent years, that’s a good thing. I agree that the cronyism is a problem but I do not think that Mayor Willis’ charges have been substantiated as being worth all this uproar. Reform doesn’t have to be scorched-earth.
MBTroup says
@Gren/Cora:
By no means is anyone suggesting that the charter is up to the minute. Maybe you’ve identified the problem; however, walking away from it isn’t the solution.
“…direction of Councilmen Jones, Price, and Nesspor, who in the past several town meetings have voted to adopt common-sense measures to restore order.”
Votes which essentially reversed previous destabilizing decisions in which they were a party. So my point wasn’t to talk about how great charters and constitutions are. Heck the US constitution once allowed for some people to be three-fifths of a person. The point is that they ought to be amended to reflect a responsible 21st century government. Because if the latter part of “..taken in accordance with the town charter and majority rule” carries more weight, then isn’t the structure of the Town governemnt subject to whomever shows up to each Town meeting? Just how effective is that?
Sophie Cane says
I LOVE a good soap opera!