Updated Dec. 20, 1:25 p.m.–Rebecca Flora, an appointee to Chestertown’s Waterfront Task Force, has resigned as a result of making public statements at a meeting of the Town Council on Monday — that were unauthorized.
Her comments came in advance of a report that is due the council in January that will layout a shared vision of the Chester River waterfront that serves the interests of the town and Washington College, the two biggest landholders on the Chester River.
The formation of the task force was approved by the council at the beginning of the year and is made up of four appointees from the town and four from Washington College. Flora was appointed by Mayor Margo Bailey to represent the town.
Flora’s comments were in violation of an agreement made among the eight citizen advisors in March to withhold public comments until the final report was presented to the Town Council.
Flora’s comments also came just two weeks after the council voted to spend $8,000 for concept drawings and other visual aides to help the task force present its report. The concept design will be created by the Baltimore-based architectural firm of Ayers Saint Gross.
Flora spoke of a need for a “public process” now that taxpayer money had been committed to the project.
“I take this committee very seriously and for that I really feel the committee needs to be held accountable,” Flora said.
Flora said she was a professional planner who had to abide by a code of conduct — and would speak out or resign from the task force if she felt the task force had “crossed the line.”
With the task force now short one representative for the town, retiring Mayor Margo Bailey said she would not make an appointment between now and the end of the year–when her term ends–because there are no scheduled council meetings.
“I think the new Mayor and Council should appoint a replacement for Rebecca,” Bailey said. “I was surprised and disappointed with Rebecca’s resignation from the Task Force. She is a true talent and her skills will be hard to replace.”
Reports to the council were postponed several times during the year. Task Force Chair John Moag commented on the Spy on Dec. 5 that the report would be final after the first of the year.
“The eight members of the Task Force have given generously of their time and experience through a very comprehensive and thorough process that has touched virtually every element of our community,” Moag wrote. “The ideas that will appear in our report reflect very diverse and thoughtful views; not mine, not those of the Task Force, but rather an amalgam of ideas for the future of Chestertown.”
“As a group, we feel strongly about our report being comprehensive and fully informed; especially when it comes to resources available to the County and Town to implement those recommendations the community wishes to pursue. In the meantime, the professionals at ASG will be providing important options for the town to consider. We will not, for instance, provide just one option for the marina. Rather, ASG has been asked to consider a few alternatives.”
“In the meantime, I’m relatively confident we all will be able to enjoy the holidays without having the Task Report yet in our hands.”
Moag responded to Flora’s resignation late Thursday.
“The Task Force very much appreciates Rebecca’s participation on the Task Force and respects her decision.”
The task force postponed a report to the council in November until they had a chance to meet with the Governor’s Subcabinet on Sustainability. Moag said the meeting could help identify sources of state funding for the waterfront project.
The report was also postponed previously in October to avoid any impact on the election for mayor and two council seats.
In an email to the Spy late Thursday, Flora said she had no other choice but to resign.
“I regretfully have found it necessary to resign from the waterfront task force due to my personal and professional beliefs in the need for public reporting for our planning process as a result of the public investment of funds,” Flora wrote. “I want to thank the members of the task force for their time and hard work and the persons who have been interviewed to date for their time and insights. It is important that everyone be engaged in conversation regarding the future of our precious waterfront asset. I will support our new mayor and council in efforts to ensure we achieve the best possible plan for the waterfront.”
helen merenda says
Editor,
Accountability to the public is important…you did the right thing by speaking out, Rebecca. I applaud your courage to stand up for your principles—rather than ‘going along to get along’. Thank-you for your time, expertise and professionalism. Sounds like it wasn’t fully respected or appreciated. Welcome to the Eastern Shore! (from another Pennsylvania woman).
Charles Lerner says
Editor,
It is a shame that Ms. Flora felt that her ethical responsibilities from her professional code of conduct required her to resign from the secretive task force that is considering such a major town redevelopment. I just watched the video tape on her talk at the Town Council meeting. She revealed nothing about the proposed plans. Her only point was that with the commitment of public funds comes public accountability which is missing. I hope that the new mayor and town council will find a wAy to use her direct and extensive expertise in redevelopment in its deliberations and process for public consideration of this project.
Thanks