As Easton enters into the final weeks of its local election for Easton Council president as well as council seats for Ward 2 and 4, there has been considerable surprise in the community at the costs of some of these campaigns, such as lawn signs, billboards, and local ads in the Star-Democrat and other media. But more importantly, the question for Easton Mayor Megan Cook and Ward 3 Councilmember David Montgormey is, who are making these contributions?
The short answer is that no one knows. That’s because the Town of Easton has never had laws requiring donors’ disclosure and the size of their contributions.
Cook and Montgomery want to change this for future elections by co-sponsoring the requirement that candidates disclose that information.
The Spy asked Mayor Cook and Council Member Montgomery to stop by the Spy Studio to outline their plan to increase transparency in the town’s local elections.
This video is approximately four minutes in length.
Rick Hughes says
Makes perfectly good sense. Transparency is very important in this era of monied interests, from who knows where, outspending voting citizens in order to accomplish dubious agendas.
Pamela McCloud says
In this cycle, all candidates should voluntarily post all the donations they are receiving. Voters have a right to know what interests might be financing a campaign.
Michael Davis says
This is a GREAT idea. Financial reporting should also apply to school board races.
Frank Gunsallus says
I agree with and join hands with Mayor Cook and Councilmember Montgomery in supporting greater transparency around campaign finance. Transparency builds trust, and that’s why I have made the conscious decision to voluntarily report my campaign finances annually through the Maryland Campaign Reporting Information System (MDCRIS). All citizens are welcome to go to this public website at (https://campaignfinance.maryland.gov/Public/ViewCommittees) and review all elected official’s financial reporting. Open, consistent financial disclosure is essential to maintaining public confidence in our local government.
David Montgomery says
i did follow the link and eventually found Friends of Frank Gunsallus whose name is on all the signs here:
https://campaignfinance.maryland.gov/Public/ShowReview?memberID=9359001%20&memVersID=2%20&cTypeCode=01
Unfortunately the most recent report was 1/15/2025, long before this campaign began. Take a look, see if you can find anything about who is contributing and paying now. we will propose the TOWN require similar reports be filed by candidate and anyone making independent expenditures 2 months, 1 month and one week BEFORE the election That would have told us by now who is behind the signs and billboards. reports will be easily accessible under “elections’ on the Town website Frank’s alleged “financial disclosure” is an easily disproved claim Frank, just list the current supporters and amounts here and make sure it is close to the easily estimated cost of signs and billboards plus anything you have coming up. Enough smokescreens, reveal the numbers.
Bill Williams says
Good catch, David. Lying Frank is at it again. Looking at the most recent document in the link, the disclosure is from Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 and the top of the document reads, “gubernatorial”. So, this political group donated to a gubernatorial candidate, not Frank’s campaign in that one year span. You’re correct in pointing out that this is another shady Gunsallus scheme to try and fool voters by not being fully honest about himself or his campaign. No wonder the council is overtly supporting Don Abbatiello. He gets my vote, too.
Wesley O Hagood says
David, in the interest of election finance transparency which you are advocating, is it true that you have spent $1,000 or more to pay for print ads supporting Don Abbatiello, a former Republican who recently changed his party affiliation to “unaffiliated” which many consider a betrayal by Abbatiello who is turning his back on the Republicans who elected him him to the Easton Town Council?
Looking forward to your reply.
Wes Hagood
David Johnson says
As his treasurer, how about you be honest and tell us what the 1/24 to 1/25 money was spent on? It most certainly was not for Frank’s town council campaign. Putting that out there doesn’t deliver the mail about town election spending. And, as his treasurer, we call your bluff to post the contributions from 1/25 to present. The relcutance to do that shows you’re trying to hide his donors who don’t live in town limits and can’t vote in this election.
Wesley O Hagood says
You are mistaken. I am not Frank’s Treasurer.
Nathan Smith says
Why do your billboard size signs need to be all over Talbot County? Frank you are only running for the Town of Easton. The political crap that lines route 50 all the way down seems a violation to the county’s comprehensive plan. Keep your signs to the town of Easton again you’re not running for the County and that’s a blessing to the residents of Talbot.
Nancy LeBrun says
Very very very good idea.
Richard Marks says
Great idea.
Hopefully, the Town Council will also look at enforcing rules on sign placement as there are many being placed illegally on town property. I suppose that placement location begs the question, “If a sign is on town property (between the sidewalk and the road), does the homeowner or business owner of the property adjacent have the right to remove the sign since the placement is likely sending the wrong message of support for the candidate?”
Catherine Nobles says
No there is no financial reporting in the town
However Frank Gunsallus did give a financial report which is more than Montgomery. Mayor Cook or Abateillo did.
Montgomery is a bitter sad man who will put the town on the back burner to satisfy his spite
David Montgomery says
Take the time to find his reports and ask if seeing his contributors 6 months after the election will be useful
//signed// bitter sad OLD man who could care less about insults
try to keep it civil and on topic
Catherine Nobles says
Gunsallus has reported through January 2025. No one else has reported anything. I guess Mr Gunsallus is to busy working for his constituents to report the last two months. More than I can say for Montgomery or Cook
Tina Jones says
Thank you Council Member Montgomery and Mayor Cook for leading this initiative. Transparency is vital to assure fair and equitable elections.
David Montgomery says
Thank you i know there is little else we agree on and I appreciate your support when we do agree
Tina Jones says
You may be surprised at what we agree upon. My invitation to chat still stands. From one economist to another, Take Care.
Barbara Denton says
Unfortunately, you do not live in Easton and have no ox to gore in this political campaign. Do you really think anyone wants your opinion?
Gail A Chisholm says
I do.
Catherine Nobles says
Unfortunately they are not transparent
Beth Mufson says
Excellent idea! We should have financial transparency in our local elections.
Beth Mufson says
PS actually need financial transparency in ALL our elections!
The Citizens United decision legalized corruption in our national elections.
Beth Mufson says
In reference to the comment by Mr. Marks above; if candidates to do not abide by the rules when it comes to posting signs on town/ public property, what does that say about their suitability for holding public office?
Mary-Eileen Russell says
We should all believe in transparency in elections, especially on the local level. Heaven forbid that Elon Musk or the Hungarian government or the Vatican were secretly financing a candidate for the Easton Town Council!! On the other hand, could it be that a candidate has numerous signs due to popular support? Especially if the candidate is an incumbent, and is known and respected by the citizens of Easton for taking a stand on controversial topics, a stand which won him respect and esteem in the county and the state? There is no mystery where such a candidate would receive his backing: from the very people who elected him and who plan to elect him again. Because that is how democracy works…..
Maryann Judy says
I find the timing of the entire issue of campaign financing to be suspect at best and a disgrace to say the least. Why are these two officials (Cooke and Montgomery) only now complaining about the very issue which they were NOT accountable for. Where is their transparency? When do they listen to the working people and parents of our community? Why are they afraid of Gunsallus?!
Frank Gunsallus, in my opinion, has been available to his constituents and has been up front concerning his campaign. It seems that these two left leaning members of the Town Coucil are shocked that they have an honorable man running for this office. Shame on them. I am embarrassed to say that both Cook and Montgomery are a part of our community.
David Montgomery says
Me “left-leaning?” Give me a break. The interesting news is that the most conservative Councilmember agrees with his liberal colleagues about who will be the best Council President.
Chad Hill says
It really is remarkable to read the above words from Barbara Denton and Maryann Judy.
“Do you really think anyone wants your opinion?” (Denton)
“I am embarrassed to say that both Cook and Montgomery are part of our community.” (Judy)
Mrs. Denton and Mrs. Judy, I’d suggest your sentiments align with what a 3rd grade teacher might sometimes deal with in a classroom – but doing so would be giving you too much credit. It’s more like kindergarten stuff. Find some self-awareness.
Within our local community, I refuse to become desensitized to this type of expression. The large majority of proud Easton natives and residents already know and share this conviction – it’s simply not how we treat each other. It’s not who we are.
Mrs. Judy – you wouldn’t know the first thing with how Megan Cook has profoundly given back to our town over so many years with her time and energy. Her husband was my children’s doctor when they were younger. They too have children – try the thought experiment of them reading your bizarre, attacking post. In all seriousness, muster up a little empathy and sit with that for just a moment.
Your words are ugly. Your example is poor.
People have had enough of the rancor and lack of basic civility. Regardless of what is happening on a national level, we need not mimic it here.
Mrs. Denton and Mrs. Judy, I don’t know what will happen on May 6. But if Abbatiello runs away with this thing and is elected Town President, don’t be so mystified. And if that happens, maybe even consider the further reality and truth – that you’ll most likely have contributed to that result.
Chad Hill
Easton
Renae Bozarth says
Frank is already the President of the Town Council. He did a great job, so we would like to see him re-elected. What are they so afraid of? Why are the local politicians working so hard to undermine his re-election campaign?
David Montgomery says
Enough of the “what about-ism”. All Frank has to do to settle this is list donors and amounts on his website. Why the illogical reactions to asking who is funding the unprecedented expenditures on a town election? Why keep it secret?
Andy McCormick says
I agree with Mr Montgomery and the mayor. No matter how you plan to vote, why wouldn’t you want this information made public, unless you have something to hide? This shouldn’t be an emotional topic.
Barbara Denton says
Politics certainly makes strange bedfellows. Why is the only Council member who backed you on some controversial issues suddenly no good? Could it be because he is the only Easton native on the Council and knows the town well? Could it be because he knows the constitution and bases his judgement on what is lawful and moral? Could it be because he is not one of the good old boys you can manipulate with your so-called superiority? Could it be because he wants the best for Easton and the surrounding area? Why would you support a former Republican who changed to Independent? This obviously was at the behest of the mayor who presented him to the Democratic forum as the candidate to back. Why are you teaming up with a mayor who is the exact opposite of anything that you believe in? Both you and Abbatiello are turn coats and do not deserve to hold the offices your currently occupy. Frank Gunsallis should be re-elected as Easton Town Council President.
Karen Reed says
I’m more concerned that we have people willing to destroy signs that are posted on private property with a hate symbol. This is a local campaign for a guy who has tried to make Easton a better place. The dislike from people who are on the same council is just a bad look. Mr. Montgomery I don’t know why you have such an issue with Frank. Come together, work together and stop acting like a child because someone has people supporting them in this race.
Mickey Terrone says
It seems important to me to avoid the controlling influence of “Dark Money” in any campaign, be it local, state or national. The ability of one or two major influence peddlers can sometimes buy and sell a candidate who may be on the take and allow him/herself to be someone’s pawn.
So long as both candidates abide by the same rules, no one can legitimately complain, regardless of party affiliation.
Martha says
Current Donation Transparency and legal sign placement within town limits should be #1 on the agenda in the next town meeting! It’s out of control.