For over a month I’ve been wondering when, if ever, it would be made public that Jennifer Williams, Talbot County Council President, had an ethics violation leveled against her due to conflict of interest on the recent noise ordinance.
Ms. Williams is a member of the Miles River Yacht Club, in fact she serves as a member of the Club’s House Committee. The complaint filed against Ms. Williams declared that as a result of her vote to increase the level of allowable noise from 55 decibels to 60, and allow event venues virtually unlimited times to hold large gatherings, Ms. Williams’ dues to the yacht club would be held lower as a result of additional revenue to the club from these events. I’m sure we are talking about an insignificant amount of money. But Ms. Williams is not only President of the County Council, she is also a lawyer. One would think that she could figure out there was a gross appearance of conflict of interest and recuse herself from those votes. But she didn’t.
However, the Ethics Commission of Talbot County didn’t follow the rules. Ms. Williams should have been allowed a chance to testify on her behalf. Evidently she was not given that opportunity. The decision to reprimand her on the ethics violation was rescinded.
None of this was made public. In fact only by filing a request through the Maryland Freedom of Information Act is a person able to read the complaint and response.
But what really is the height of irony is Ms. Williams will probably be holding a fundraiser for her re-election to the County Council. Where? Miles River Yacht Club I’d bet. Do you really want this person back in office?
Alexa Seip
Easton
Jennifer Healy says
In regards to the noise that comes from the Miles River Yacht Club and Perry Cabin during functions, IT IS HORRIBLE!!!!! I live in the apartment complex across the street from both the Yacht Club and Perry Cabin. During the four plus hours the bands are playing, I have no peace and quiet, even inside my apartment! My home is one mile from these facilities. I can hear clearly what the band is playing and the band leader is saying! For the 4 hours the band plays, I am exposed to the “thump, thump, thump of the drums!” along with the music without any volume control! Since we are now in prime wedding season, this happens both Friday and Saturday nights! The idea that someone wants to raise the allowable decibel level any amount is beyond cruel to your neighbors! And you want to allow this noise to happen 24/7? As I do not have a car, I cannot leave the area to escape the noise pollution. If you can’t hear what is being said and played at the current levels, might I suggest you get your hearing checked and consider some hearing aids? I invite you to come over to my neighborhood the next time there is a function. It sounds a whole lot different from where I live……Jennifer Healy ([email protected])
Toby Tyler says
Jennifer Healy you need to get your facts straight. The noise you hear is not coming from the yacht club. It is coming from Perry Cabin and from the Maritime Museum, both of which are the site of numerous outdoor wedding receptions with bands. I have friends who belong to the yacht club and have had the pleasure of joining them there a couple of times this summer and each time as we walked to our car after dinner the music from those two locations could be heard loud and clear on the yacht club grounds. I asked if the yacht club also hosted outdoor receptions with loud bands and was told no. Since it is in a residential neighborhood any time there is a loud band, as opposed to a more subdued guitar or small combo, they are always placed indoors. I hope you will take the time to get your facts straight in the future.
Leslie Steen says
The best information I have found is that this ethics violation complaint was filed on Sept. 10, a decision against current Council President Jennifer Williams was rendered and sent to the complainant two weeks later on Sept. 25. Then on Oct. 2 the decision was rescinded and we were told that a new decision would be rendered. Almost a month has passed and no hearing has been scheduled to my knowledge. What is the delay? The citizens deserve an answer before the election. Early voting begins Thursday, October 25th.
The principals behind the Ethics Commission Sept. 10 decision were simple, straightforward, and based on facts taken directly from the Miles River Yacht Club’s (the Club) website. The Ethics Commission found that under State law as a Member and House Committee Member of Miles River Yacht Club, Williams has an “interest” in Miles River Yacht Club.
“The Commission is persuaded that membership in a private club, which in turn is interested in legislation, is an “interest” for the purposes of § 60-5…”
“That entity is a business. Under such circumstances, the Club actively seeks customers to defray expenses for the benefit of its members, giving rise in its members to a clear economic interest, that is, the profitability of the club.”
Former County Attorney Michael Pullen warned of this conflict of interest in his testimony and written comments before the County Council before Bills 1401 and 1403 were voted upon, but Ms. Williams chose to ignore him.
Even though no one has filed a complaint regarding Bill 1401, the same principals of this decision apply to the votes on the Bill 1401, updating the zoning code. In Bill 1401 the law governing special events at the Club was changed. Historically, the Club had had about 6 special events by permit according the Planning Commission staff. Under the new law the Club will be allowed to have 12 events with outdoor music by matter of right. As the new zoning code was drafted, the first couple of drafts called for 6 events with no outdoor music and the final draft and law passed had evolved into allowing 12 events with outdoor music. This is all happening for a property that is a non-conforming use surrounded by homes in a residential community.
The Ethics Commission needs to tell us whether or not this influence is an Ethics violation. If it is not, due to technical reasons argued by the lawyers, the law needs to be clarified.
Alan Boisvert says
Oh brother, more bitching about loud music from the yacht club. Sheeezzzz. Try living anywhere near Lowes and the sound of jet engines, helicopters and small airplanes all frigging day. I’ll take the yacht club and music anyday. What the hell is wrong with this town? Apparently it’s run by special interests like country club execs and airport managers. Easton will never get on any map with this kind of “noisy” management. And don’t even
start me on the morons and their trucks with no mufflers who make noise just to make noise. I guess because they have no life? What a great place.
Sigrid Hayward says
Ms. Seip, your letter is ridicules and so is Ms. Stein’s comment. The real story here is why the Ethics Commission did not follow their own rules and allow Ms. Williams her right to defend herself. But I guess that doesn’t fit your narrative and the constant smear tactics of the Bipartisan Coalition.