In a recent post in the Talbot Spy, regarding Town of Easton personnel matters and policies, Al Silverstein states that he “is angry.”
Mr. Silverstein claims that the town paid two months of health insurance premiums for Mayor Willey and his wife, following the mayor’s retirement; that the “most highly paid” town employees have been exempted from required contributions to their health insurance coverage; and that the health care premiums for a “contract employee” – specifically, the town attorney – were paid in “violation of federal law.”
The Town Council years ago adopted a resolution authorizing retirement gifts for appointed officials, and the two month “retirement” health insurance premium that troubles Mr. Silverstein amounted to a grand total of $937.00 (after 32 years of service, an amount far below what is authorized).
The supposed “exemption” from responsibility for health insurance premiums is authorized by a Town Council resolution dating from 1976. Thereby, the town has authority to pay for health insurance for elected officials – a modest and well deserved benefit, as those elected officials are not “highly paid”.
Payment of health insurance benefits for the appointed town attorney (or any other appointed official) is common practice, and is not a “violation of federal law” as Mr. Silverstein claims. Indeed, such payments for health insurance of appointed officials – a widely accepted fringe benefit for most appointed officials in local government – specifically was authorized by a 1976 Town of Easton duly adopted resolution.
Taking his complaint further, Mr. Silverstein falsely characterizes the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, stating that unnamed “administrative and supervisory employees” have been “wrongly” receiving overtime pay. In fact, FLSA regulations specifically allow “exempt” employees such as supervisory personnel to be compensated for extra time worked, whether by way of a flat sum, a bonus payment or hourly overtime.
Finally, Mr. Silverstein’s claim that the town did not obtain approval of the Historic District Commission for the town hall remodeling is false. In fact, the town has a copy of the HDC decision approving the town hall remodel.
Al Silverstein’s failure to object publicly, and act when he could have, if he actually was troubled by these claimed indiscretions, should disqualify him from a return to elected office. The Town of Easton deserves better than this. Elect Bob Willey, a man of integrity, to serve out the open term of President of the Easton Town Council.
Bonnie Morro
Easton
Holly Wright says
Where is Mayor Cook? Has she made an investigation of these assertions? Where is an independent investigation of these questions which as the Star Dem editorial says “should be raised and answered”.
This letter reflects the threads of support for Mayor Willey.
First, Talbot County Democratic Party put forth a candidate for mayor with a temperament and lack of experience as to be totally incompetent in her role to handle the really challenging issues facing our Town. What I have said elsewhere: Al Silverstein knows how to kick the tires of shiny new ideas. The Mayor doesn’t have a clue where the tires are.
Having elected her she and the Democratic Party seek someone who will provide real leadership putting her and the Party in a bad light. Rather than reach out for the expertise someone like Al Silverstein would give in this case to control development, lobby in Annapolis and advocate for the community’s health care needs, they seek a President of the Town Council who will not ask even the easy questions of her. It’s a truism, weakness always leads to weakness not strength.
What the community may not know is the increased influence county party officials receive within the State Democratic Party for “achieving” a D behind the name of a Mayor in Easton. The fact that Mayor and Town Council positions are traditionally non-partisan did not stop them from putting weight behind that candidate over the needs of the citizens, particularly for adequate health care which is a fundamental to values of our beautiful Democratic Party. This is the worst of partisan politics at the local level and I am embarrassed.
The other thread is a stake in sweeping the assertions of mismanagement under the rug to protect Mayor Willey and others from accountability.
These threads together, produce the above letter, which is a
combination of both. Is the writer anyone familiar with labor law or is she long time Chairman of the Talbot County Democratic Forum’s education committee who seems to have attached her name to a set of vague explanations. If everything is on the up and up, why doesn’t the Mayor call for an independent analysis of the situation rather than leaving us with such a hobbyist legal, procedural defense.
Mark and Susan Langfitt says
First, thank you Bonnie for your thoughtful and thorough response to the accusations made against former Mayor Willey. We appreciate the time you have taken to explain to readers the Town of Easton’s employment policies, which have been in place since well before Willey’s service began.
Second, we continue to be shocked and saddened by the anger and vitriol that continues to spew from some of Mr. Silverstein’s supporters. This alone should give Easton voters pause as they enter the voting booth on Tuesday. Should this behavior be rewarded, we can expect our local politics to spiral ever downward.
Holly Wright says
Talbot County Democratic Party should be embarrassed about putting forward a mayoral candidate that now has to be coddled when the community has real problems like the physician shortage and the delayed regional center project to be dealt with.
Electing an equally ineffective President of the County Council only compounds the mistake.