The Rock Hall Town Council has denied Mayor Bob Willis any further attempts to seek a refund from the town’s attorney for legal fees related to Open Meetings Act violations last year.
“I think it dies right here,” said Councilman Brian Nesspor at Thursday’s council meeting. “I make a motion that we kill it.”
Willis has tried on several occasions to pin the blame for the violations on the town’s attorneys, Charles “Chip” Macleod, of Funk & Bolton — but a majority of the council is not swayed that the violations were a result of bad legal advice.
The majority also agreed that Willis had acted without the council’s approval when he sent a letter to Funk & Bolton on Feb. 4 requesting a refund. The firm ultimately ignored Willis because they are aware that he is prohibited from acting in an official capacity without first getting approval from the council.
The council placed the restriction on Willis last year after vendors and outside agencies said they were receiving “odd” requests from Willis for information. Many vendors and agencies were notified then of the limitations placed on Willis.
Some of Willis’ inquiries were aimed at the personal lives of fellow council members and town employees, who Willis has alienated himself from because of his caustic demeanor and relentless attacks on their integrity.
The final decision last July to limit Willis’ authority came after he interfered with an audit of the town that was underway. Councilman Olin “Butch” Price said that a private meeting Willis held with the auditor was “highly unethical.”
Price, Nesspor and Vice Mayor Brian Jones believed that the limitations put on Willis could mitigate any potential liability and embarrassment to the town.
But Willis has ignored the council’s mandate and has recently sent numerous emails to officials at USDA over a bond counsel agreement that came with a $900,000 grant to replace the town’s water clarifier — and again without the council’s approval. The emails had so inundated the department administering the grant that they refused to answer anymore inquiries from Willis without a Freedom of Information Act Request. Meanwhile, other town officials can correspond with USDA in the normal course of business when needed.
Bill Anderson says
Editor,
This really makes one wonder why either somebody has not been reported to the USDA and thus to the Federal attorneys in the district for investigation of the fraudulent signature claimed by Mayor Willis, or that the mayor has not been recalled by the people of Rock Hall.
How long does this conduct continue? Somebody is lying and it should be thoroughly investigated and the truth exposed — no matter who gets embarrassed, sued, or removed from office.
Doug Francis says
Editor,
The recall petition has been circulating since Dec. and I guess they can’t get enough signatures. As far as the investigation for fraudulent signature claimed by the Mayor, at a town meeting it is said to be in the hands of the Maryland State Police and handwriting experts. Still awaiting results.
As far as the USDA or any other issue or financial situation in the town, the Mayor has constantly asked questions to the Town Manager and Attorney and Staff and is given very general information or refused to be given any documentation at all. This is why he contacts other Vendors because there is a lot of hiding information
or not giving information.
There is and has been a movement to block the Mayors powers for the last 8 months for whatever reason because he wants to follow the Money trail and keep this town government transparent and accountable. The Good ole boy system doesn’t like accountability or transparency. As long as everyone goes along with what they want then there is no problem, but start inquiring about financials or why information is being held from council or why bidding is not taking place, then they want to
shut him up.
People need to wake up and see what’s really going on in the town and Kent County and start attending meetings and take the Town and Kent County back.