In a blatant show of no-confidence for Rock Hall Mayor Robert Willis, Councilmen Brian Jones, Olin “Butch” Price, and Brian Nesspor moved swiftly at Wednesday’s special meeting to end controversial moves by Willis to gain online access to the town’s bank accounts and to fire the town attorney, Charles “Chip” MacLeod.
“There‘s a lot of business that needs to be cleared up, and one would be the role of the town attorney,” Jones said. “I know there’s been…talk that the Mayor no longer wants his services, so I’m going ahead to make the motion that we retain the town attorney.”
The motion to keep MacLeod passed by a 3-0 vote, with Councilwoman Susan Francis not voting.
Banking resolutions
On May 10, and again on May 17, Willis pressured Clerk Treasurer Stephanie Loller to handover the town’s online banking passwords, which she refused under advice from MacLeod and the town auditor — because it would put Loller’s surety bond at risk.
Willis was convicted of narcotics distribution and weapons violations in 1996 and served time at the Kent County Detention Center — and may not be able to secure a bond to handle financial transactions for the town.
The controversy inspired People’s Bank of Kent County to ask for a formal resolution that names who has check signing authority for the town. People’s Bank recently suspended online access to the Town’s accounts until a resolution is passed.
A form supplied by the bank will serve as the resolution document once the signatories have been determined. Loller stated openly at Wednesday’s meeting that she did not want to be a signer.
The measure will most likely receive approval at the regular town meeting on June 3.
Who supervises the Rock Hall Police Department?
Nesspor, Price, and Jones, who’ve recently been dubbed the “Rock Hall Three” by some local residents, also moved unapologetically to take oversight of the police department away from Willis and back under the management of Town Manager Ron Fithian. Willis recently gained control of the police department in a 3-2 vote in special session on April 30, with Nesspor originally voting in favor.
“I think it is necessary that we bring the police department back to the control of the town manager and underneath his capacity,” Jones said, as he made the motion.
The motion was approved with Francis voting against because of “conflicts in the past.”
Francis could not mention specific conflicts but vehemently demanded that Rock Hall Police Chief Steven Moore be summoned to the meeting to address any concerns to the council and the public about the decision.
“I don’t believe the police department needs to be back under the town manager,” Francis said. “In the past there’s been conflicts and there’s been issues between the police department and the town manager.”
“I would like to get the police chief in here…with his comments on how he feels about this,” Francis said. “I would like to have him called in here immediately.”
Jones objected to summoning Chief Moore and Francis escalated.
“I think the police chief has a right to be able to be underneath who he feels comfortable being underneath of,” Francis said adamantly.
Francis also said that Fithian was not qualified to run the police department.
“How much does anyone in here know how to run a police department,” Francis asked. “I worked for a police department for seven years. A town manager’s position and his administrative role in a police department is not enough to run a police department.”
“I think he has more experience then the Mayor does,” Jones responded.
Price agreed and said that Fithian’s oversight of the police department has been pretty successful over the years.
“I think in the past it has worked well being under Ronnie’s supervision,” Price said. “He doesn’t interfere with any police investigations.”
Fithian has had oversight of Police Department for 14 years and said at last night’s meeting that it did not matter to him who supervises the police department.
“I’ve been overseeing the police department for a number of years and I don’t interfere with police work,” Fithian said. “I don’t want anyone to think that I determine how they do their police business.”
Fithian told the Spy on Thursday that his oversight of the police department deals only with personnel matters – as with any other department he supervises.
“Other than personnel, I don’t interfere or make policy for the police department,” he said.
Francis and Willis insisted that Chief Moore should be able to address the council — but the Rock Hall Three would not bring it to a vote.
Macleod said that employees “generally don’t have the right to pick and choose who their supervisors are in the structure of the town government.”
He did affirm the right of the council to determine what departments are under the supervision of the town manager.
“Those decisions can be made and they can be reversed,” MacLeod said.
In addition to the police department, the town is likely to put the tram operations back under Fithian’s supervision as well. The tram operates during the tourist season and receives taxpayer subsidies from local hotel tax revenue and business license fees to stay afloat.
Below are two videos of Francis’ clash with the Rock Hall Three over putting the police department back under the supervision of Ron Fithian. Francis accuses the Rock Hall Three of “trying to hide” something by not letting Chief Moore speak.
Bill Anderson says
Employees never have opportunity to choose who their supervisor is going to be, except for changing places of employment. If the police chief really doesn’t want to report to the town manager, he needs to find somewhere else to be employed. The end.
carol cameron says
Bill, you’ve got it backwards. It’s not the man who is currently serving as chief of police as the problem ; the problem is with the man currently serving as town manager. If Chief Moore took your suggestion and resigned tomorrow, the next chief would be in the same precarious position of coming under the supervision of the town manager. And the next one, and the next, until the town manager himself is replaced with a new town manager.
Anytime you see an independent thinking and outspoken councilperson like S. Francis argue “Why not bring him in? What is there to HIDE? ” and all she gets is stony looks and uncomfortable shifting around in their chairs from the other 3 council members – oh, boy, Something smells to high heaven with this picture. Chief Moore, had he been brought in, would no doubt have been asked if he had a professional opinion regarding the suitability of the present town manager remaining in direct charge of the police chief’s job performance. And what a treasure trove of information that might have uncovered!
Thanks to the Gang of 3 the public now has been deprived of that. How fitting that this determined gang of plumbers committed to stopping any embarrassing leaks to the media or general public is led by Butch (Bayshore Plumbing) Price. Hip, hip hooray for the Master Plumbers. Jeeez, It would almost be theater of the absurd if it wasn’t so potentially detrimental to the town’s future and reputation.
As for Nesspor, since it is on record he voted FOR taking the responsibility away from Fithian and giving it to mayor and council a scant 30 days ago, and NOW he has done a 180 degree flip-flop, looks like he owes the Rock Hall tax-paying public an explanation of why he changed his mind.
Bill Anderson says
Varol — with all due respect, the town xounxil appoints both the town manager and the police chief. Both are town employees, irrespective of whether the chief reports to the council or the town manager. The chief has no inalienable (or other) right to invoke a preference as to whom he shall report — that subject is entirely the province of the town council. The council only needs to inform the police chief as to whom he will report.
Chrissy Price says
Carol get your facts strait.. come out from under the rock you are living under . Chief Moore does a good job, Town Manager Fithian does a good job, and The Three Men on the Council are way smarter than all the gossip that goes around. Now remember These three INTELLIGENT MEN know a whole lot more behind the scenes then you will ever imagine to think you know, its called the “TRUTH”!! So count yourself lucky that you can only speculate on what is going on and do not have to live it they way they have for the past 2 months!! If you honestly think that the problem does not reside with the joke the Mayor has become along with Mrs. Francis. They are doing everything they can to make a mockory of the town and blame it on everyone else. Attend a meeting and see it in the fullest degree you will get it. So unless you are actually there and see it for yourself you have no clue what you are talking about. And yes i am BUTCH’s Daughter.. so if any one else wants to say something negative about these three men get off your couch and see it for yourself and state your piece to them directly. Stop being a coward and spreading lies. THE MAYOR TOOK THE POLICE AWAY FROM THE TOWN MANAGER JUST BECAUSE HE COULD, JUST BECAUSE HE WAS BITTER HE COULD NOT FIRE HIM SO HE TOOK WHAT HE COULD AWAY. THE END!!!
Gren Whitman says
Councilwoman Francis made herself politically irrelevant when she abstained from the 3-0 Council vote on April 29 that restored Ron Fithian to his position as Rock Hall’s town manager.
After tossing “Mayor-In-Name-Only” Willis under the bus by her refusal to vote, Ms. Francis is realizing that Rock Hall is now managed and directed by Councilmen Jones, Price, and Nesspor, no matter what she says and how she votes. Ms. F. should consider resigning her council seat so that she doesn’t create any more damage to the town.
As should “Mayor” Willis; we can do fine for the next two years without either of ’em!
Mike Hunt says
Francis seems to be hiding something; I don’t know what, but she can never take a position and is always making vague accusations she won’t substantiate. Francis needs to go to.
MBTroup says
The season finale should be exciting. Maybe we’ll be find out just what the connection is between Irene Adler and Moriarty.
Okay now…
The body language is just horrible. It’s clear this particular group will not function. If someone can change their vote within 30 days having provided little reason for either vote, then isn’t that person malleable for the next critical vote? If there’s no sense of permanence to anything, what does it take to secure a vote? Seven buffalo wings at the Harbor Shack? Fifteen? Bring back the xangoes? And don’t meetings have agendas? If this item were on the agenda, shouldn’t someone have seen fit to place a Q/A with the chief on the agenda, thereby not subjecting the matter to a councilman’s whims?
Look…If the Senate is voting to confirm the Secretary of State, sure the nominee doesn’t get to say “I wanna work for Biden,” but the decision makers do get to ask questions that might provide an indication of job performance. Hmmm…where is this process spelled out? Begins with a C. The Town has an analogous document. Update the charter with a permanent process, install people where they belong, move along, and give the Rockahollics the functional government they thought they elected.
Jim Jones says
MOVE ALONG?? I couldn’t disagree more. Let’s keep RH the laughing stock of the county. While we spar over who controls the empty wagon pulled behind a jeep, the rest of the shore chuckles with delight. We have special sessions to determine who is in charge of Mayberry’s finest, An Army of one, only to have Nesspor flop as would a fish on his deck. It makes the earlier session appear, well… not so special.
It’s a lose/lose for Rock Hall, but everyone with internet access wins, plus I hear Maury is interested.
Sometimes there is something to a stereotype.
Aah Susan, pobrecita! Spending a lot of time in Police stations does not qualify you to run the place.
nancy schwerzler says
What am I missing here? Why would anyone think that a mayor with a conviction and jail time for drug distribution should supervise the police department? Are you sure that Rock Hall is in Kent County? It sounds like the town belongs in Cecil County, where we have a few towns with just as much drama.
rachel goss says
“Carol”…
I know I already made this point to you on a blog – but – if SF is so smart and thinks she has information (and proof) that something inapprpriate has happened, why isn’t she sharing it? If she cares sooooo much for the town and the people, isn’t it her duty to tell everyone? Is her position more important than some secret infomation?
Or…is there nothing to share? If there aren’t any secrets, where are the meeting tapes? Have they been transcribed?
carol cameron says
@Rachel, consider whatever Francis may have learned or been told regarding the town manager interfering in the police dept – For her to just blurt it all out during an open meeting wouldn’t be “proof” of anything. Whatever she disclosed, it would likely be blown off by the Gang of 3 as “gossip” or “unfounded” rumor. They would discredit her by saying she wasn’t there, so it’s all second-hand, no truth to it, and of no value. That is why she pressed so hard to bring Chief Moore in. If it came straight from the horse’s mouth “yes, Mr. Fithian called me into his office and said (whatever) ” then the Gang of 3 would find it a bit difficult to dismiss it all as loose talk, wouldn’t they?
She seems determined to bring out the truth to the public. But she is smart enough to know it must be presented in exactly the right way which will leave no doubts in anyone’s mind who is telling the truth and who is not.
@Jim, have you considered the councilman described as flopping around like a fish on the deck may have recently passed the exam? You know, the one to advance from apprentice plumber’s helper to Master Plumber? With a specialty in stopping leaks before they happen? Hmmmm
rachel goss says
This has all been going on far too long for there not to be proof available, imo.
So…it seems to me that no proof of Ron/Councilmen doing anything inappropriate = personalities before principles.
Jim Jones says
Town manager, town attorney, missing checks, bank accounts, RHPD and now the trolley, and the two of them haven’t even fouled one off yet, all whiffs. Hanging with Butch on the council I am surprised Susan and Bobby haven’t picked up on the golden rule of plumbing: Hot on the left and shi+ runs downhill.
(You’re in the valley)
Jessica Elburn says
All of this keeps taking me back to that saying “why can’t we all just get along”. I have lived here for 30 years own a house here and am now raising children here. I have know all individuals involved (minus S. Francis) my whole life and like and respect each and everyone of them for different reasons. EVERY ONE makes mistakes in life and when working or even living together in such a small town/county personal issues and differences are bound to arise, shit happens! It seems like grudges from personal, not professional , issues are causing such display of behavior that could be detrimental to the town and potential outside growth and income coming into the town. I wish the attacks would stop and everyone just move forward in trying to create positive energy instead of negative. And before rumors or accusations are thrown into the public, remember what one might not like to be thrown out there about themselves, because we all have past, present, and future issues.
Robin Wood Kurowski says
“I wish the attacks would stop and everyone just move forward in trying to create positive energy instead of negative. And before rumors or accusations are thrown into the public, remember what one might not like to be thrown out there about themselves, because we all have past, present, and future issues.”
Jessica …. I could not agree with you more.
Mike Hunt says
The attacks will stop when the reason for them stops: a witch hunting, inept, laughing-stock mayor.
Mike Hunt says
Uh, if you are wondering why there is discord, let’s review the record: 1. Willis moves to fire Fithian on trumped-up charges he can’t articulate for a week and then tries to strong arm and bully the Council at a 12-hour meeting he calls on Sunday to try and avoid public scrutiny while everyone ejected from the meeting can hear him screaming through the wall unhinged for hours on end; 2. Willis, instead of lying low for a little while after that debacle, then goes immediately to fire the town lawyer for giving him perfectly sensible legal advice, which apparently he doesn’t want to hear; 3. Willis then goes after the town bank accounts, although he is informed that could imperil the town’s bond rating–to the detriment of everyone in Rock Hall; and 4. Willis goes all out to take supervision of the police immediately into his term. My question is, why does Willis want supervision of the police so badly?
Anne Wilson says
Rock Hall use to be the town that was well represented, plenty of activities to do on the weekend and fun. The people of Rock Hall only have theirselves to blame for voting in the Mayor, Council etc. Let’s be adults! Every person makes a mistake there is no one in this world that is perfect. Is there plenty of people that have loads of money or connections to cover up bad dealings yes. In these times people should be trying to work together as a team and help each other to do the best for the town. I do not live in Rock Hall but do alot for Chestertown and I am sick of getting calls about what is going on, it is in the paper and sometimes I think that is all Rock Hall Mayor and Council want is to never let it die. The damage is done for your town. No matter how hard you try to work this out it will never be the same in Rock Hall. If it could of been worked out you would of seen some progress by now . Just remember you are fooling around with people’s lives and reputations. Just because you don’t like someone doesn’t mean you can’t work together for that week. You want the truth to come out all you Rock Hall people. Have Mayor, Council people, anyone else that is involved in this terrible mess schedule Lie Dector tests and get to the bottom of everything and stop causing so much heartache to alot of people in your town and other towns that are not involved. When you get the results, clear everyone and start with a new slate. I am sure that your Police Department can handle that! Please remember that all the comments that are made against people that are not true will come back around to all of you. Karma! Grow up, get a life, stop taking money, deal with the problem and go on to make your town the best you can and make it safe for the children. You all voted in a Mayor that had previous convictions maybe you should start by making it alot safer for your children and grandchildren. Unless this town comes together soon you have 2 more years of this unecessary stress that will either kill some of you or will kill your town completely. It takes more than, money, conections, prestige to do the right thing. God Bless you all!
Bill Parks says
Why are the three so against hearing Chief Moore? What are they hiding? I believe there is a underlying source feeding them on the council. It’s funny how they did a 360 in a short time? Was their bribery? Do we even know the reason behind the Town Manager issue? I think not! Also, they reference Mayor Willis and his record from the 90’s how about looking up Maryland Judicial Case Search and look at Brian Scott Nesspor. 2012 Driving without a license and 2005 /07 domestic violence and a peace order. Did anyone ever bring up Mayor Jacobs history when he operated His seafood business many years ago and the scandals and his drug/alcohol abuse? Both Mayors criminal record is in the past and people change. The mayor should be commended for his recovery. Let him teach other in the town how becoming clean & sober can lead successful life. Why is it that the town is ran by the good ole boys and those with money? Why is it butch gets all the plumbing jobs? Conflict of interest? Is some of the large business holders in the town influencing these members or even more? Something does not add up? Why was the Mayor left out on so many checks being written? They must of had good reason to brig up this situation as well as the police issue so why a 360? In stead of a shouting match and bullying they could learn respect. And last remember the Mayor has children who read this.
Tom Jacoby says
Please visit Maryland Judical Search and look up everyone in council and you may be surprised!
Cora Dickson says
Question: was the police chief allowed to speak at the April 30 special session when the decision was first made? If not, then it would be hypocritical to say it is suspicious for him not to be brought forth to speak this time as well.
What I see here (by this article, because I was not present at he meeting) is an attempt by 3 members of the Council to get back on track by preemptively cutting off potentially more personality-driven “controversies” that are distracting the town council from taking care of real business.
Susan’s protestations appear to indicate that she cares more about prolonging the nonsense than getting things done. We have a long to-do list. We need to move forward. I applaud the “Rock Hall Three” for taking control of this absurd situation and I am hopeful that soon the town will be heading in a better direction.
Time to stop attacking Willis for his drug conviction from 20 years ago and Butch for providing plumbing services. Focus on the tasks at hand!