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With so much attention on National and State Government abuses and lack of ethics, it's sometimes easy to forget that a small town like Easton, Maryland may be subject to similar problems.
Recently, a push by Megan Cook, Mayor of Easton, Maryland to appoint Talbot County Council Vice President Peter Lesher to the Easton Utilities Commission raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the town's government.
Maryland's Constitution is clear about such appointments. An individual cannot hold two “offices of trust and profit” at the same time. Yet, Easton Town Attorney Sharon Van Emburgh admitted she only started reviewing the conflict in this appointment AFTER it was brought to her attention by Town Council President Frank Gunsallus. Gunsallus asked questions. When was information about this position sent out for interested people to apply or nominate people for the position? Who approved Lesher's appointment? Why didn't the Mayor run the appointment by the Town Attorney? Why did Mayor Megan Cook move forward with this appointment without first confirming its legality?
More important, did the mayor simply fail to do her homework, or was this an attempt to slip the appointment through before anyone noticed?
As for Mr. Lesher, shouldn't he, as Vice President of the County Council, be aware that this appointment was a conflict of interest? It’s hard to believe that someone who had been in a leadership position for as long as Lesher would overlook such a significant ethical and legal concern.
Someone was paying attention. Easton Town Council President Frank Gunsallus held the line, refusing to rush a vote on the appointment until the legality and ethics of the appointment were fully examined. He asked the tough questions that needed to be addressed, ensuring that the council didn't rubber-stamp a potentially illegal decision. His due diligence prevented what could have been a serious breach of public trust.
As Ward 4 Councilman Reverend Davis aptly put it, “It’s important to be on the right side of the law, and we must always prioritize integrity over expediency.” This sentiment reflects the broader need for our leaders to act within the bounds of the law, ensuring decisions are made transparently and lawfully."
At best, this was a reckless oversight; at worst, a deliberate attempt to sidestep the rules. Either way, Easton residents deserve better. If town leadership wants to restore public trust, they must commit to open, lawful, and transparent governance—not backroom deals and hasty decisions that unravel under scrutiny.
When we asked other political figures and lawyers about this appointment, many were shocked that both the Mayor of Easton and Talbot County Council Vice President would even suggest such an appointment. Several wondered what this appointment would gain either the Mayor, Mr. Lesher, or both. One lawyer pointed out that an official cannot be sworn into two public offices at the same time and that, had Mr. Lesher been sworn onto the Easton Utilities Commission, he may have had to forfeit his council seat. We have no confirmation that is the case.
Rumor has it that Lesher has quietly withdrawn his name for the appointment. Is that proof that this appointment never should have moved forward in the first place?
Time will tell.
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