Are Town Employees Exceeding Authority?
Please Follow us on Gab, Minds, Telegram, Rumble, GETTR, Truth Social, Twitter
The last 18 months have been difficult in Oxford, Maryland. For twelve years, it was apparent that one employee had complete control of what happened in the town. Of course, this is not how the town is supposed to be run because Oxford has elected Commissioners who are supposed to determine what happens there.
Sometime between 2012 and 2024, that all changed and one employee, the town manager, did an impression of Alexander Haig and seemed to think herself "in control."* Her constant hiding of information, obstruction of the flow of public information, hidden nepotism in the hiring of her daughter to be the town planner, obligating the town to expensive "grants," and her insertion into duties she had no business assuming were clear evidence that Cheryl Lewis thought Oxford was her town to do with as she pleased.
She had accomplices. There were compliant Commissioners and citizens favored with powerful Commission seats as well as residents given hefty contracts on town projects out of convenience. These people formed an elite inner circle who got everything they wanted. Make no mistake, Cheryl thought of herself as in charge and they were happy she did.
After the announcement of her retirement, Cheryl was the one interviewing and presenting candidates to the Commissioners for the positions of town clerk treasurer, town planner, and even her replacement. The last one on that list was an embarrassment and potential danger to the town as she recommended a man for the job who had a criminal history of indecent exposure to children. This was discovered in an online search by two citizens of the town. He was sent packing.
People thought that when Cheryl Lewis walked out her office door on June 30,2024, she would ride off into the sunset to her boyfriend's farm and never influence events in the small town again.
Unfortunately, during her last few months Ms. Lewis "trained" the new town employees. Did she train them in the same tactics she used in the town for 12 years? Probably.
Recently, one of the new hires posted an offensive screed in a town FACEBOOK group:
After that was posted, one would think that the blowback from such an unwise post would encourage the employee to keep her head down and do her job quietly. Whether on her own or with a colleague, she then posted this:
In this announcement, sent as an official Town of Oxford communication, the Town Planner, Ms. Williams describes a new "process" for submitting Public Information Requests. As you read, you'll see that the town office really hates PIA's. They seem to forget that PIA's only happen when the town refuses to answer basic questions. PIA's have been a hot button in Oxford before:
Town Of Oxford Weaponizes PIA Request Fees - Easton Gazette
Emotions Run High At Oxford Meeting; Town Manager Announces Her Retirement - Easton Gazette
As one reads the posted process, there is one statement missing; "Published with the Approval of the Commissioners of Oxford."
Yes, that's right. Reliable sources state that the town planner took it upon herself to create and disseminate a new "process" for Public Information Requests, a change that circumvented the Town Commissioners. It cites NO REFERENCE to this process is in the Town Charter or Town Code. Neither document gives power to town employees to design or enact such a process. Enacting this arbitrary process is not only beyond the authority of town employees but could be construed as an attempt to suppress the right of town citizens to ask questions about how the town is run, how decisions are made, how money is spent. This would be a violation of the rights of the residents of Oxford. The State guarantees citizens of this right.
Apparently, the Commissioners were not informed before the announcement was released.
As the rock band WHO said, "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
Yes, that's right. In much the same way that Cheryl Lewis seemed to assume power she did not have, we now have employees she hired doing the same thing. The only difference is that Ms. Lewis had Commissioners going along with her power grab. Is this incident is circumstantial and a misunderstanding by town employees?
You be the judge.
When Ms. Lewis departed her post in Oxford, it may have been an earlier exit than she had planned. However, it's been alleged that she still has strong ties and influence with certain people in town who were her protectors and benefactors while she played the role of "bulldog" to advance their agenda.
Is she still pulling the strings in the office all the way from her home on the farm? Some think she is. Or maybe these new employees learned their lessons at the feet of the master obfuscator.
In an incident today, another town employee seemed confused about what happens to letters read into the minutes at town meetings. Here are the minutes from the June 11th town meeting: (these were just published almost a month later)
There were several letters read at the June 11th meeting. At the very bottom of the last page it promised that these letters would be on the town website:
Unfortunately, there were no letters anywhere on the website. One citizen asked the town Clerk/Treasurer, Vickie Sharp, where the letters were:
To refresh your memory, it appears that the very same people who were upset about PIA requests are now DEMANDING them for information that should be posted on the town website (their promise, not mine).
It would be nice if they could make up their minds. Claiming to be a victim of PIA requests on one hand and then demanding them on another continues the theory that the town office of Oxford is not only incompetent, but untrustworthy. I have met both of these ladies, and they seem like people who want to do a good job. It also seems they are being directed by someone to conduct business this way. Certainly, they can't be doing this on their own.
Regardless, what can the town do to correct this mess? First, the Commissioners need to drag out the Town Charter, Code and Employee Handbook (if there is one; we can't find a copy on the town website) as well as the job description for each office employee and have a complete reading to make sure all understand what they can and cannot do.
Second, the Town Planner needs to issue a public apology to the citizens of the town for her outrageous post on Facebook. That post was on July 16th and, so far, no apology has been formally issued despite the fact that citizens have requested it. There needs to be repercussions for her actions which could include a warning and a probationary period. We need to know, in general, what those repercussions are. Any public employee will say that whining about one's job and putting derogatory comments about the people who pay one's salary on social media is inappropriate, unprofessional, and in many cases, cause for dismissal. Imagine if our Chief of Police or Maintenance Supervisor had put up a post with similar sentiments if they had to stop too many speeders or answer too many water leaks.
Third, the recent published announcement regarding PIA requests needs to be rescinded via another public announcement from the Commissioners stating that all communications going forward will be approved by Commissioners prior to publication and designated as such. As for the description of how PIA's are submitted, that process has been in place for a while and doesn't need to be changed. What does need to be changed is that the town needs to answer questions when they are asked so that no one has to file PIA's and pay outrageous fees for answers.
Fourth, the Commissioners, who conducted five interviews with five hiring firms need to take bids and hire one of the companies to conduct an IMMEDIATE search for a professional, qualified Town Manager. The firm hired needs to have a process that is most likely to produce candidates of high quality and ethics. The process needs to be transparent and open to residents of the town. It also needs to allow for the public to have input into what is needed in Oxford. Clearly, this could take months.
Based on what we have seen coming out of the town office at this point, naming an interim manager during that time from of the staff currently employed would be a disaster. None of the current employees have shown themselves to be qualified for the position.
During the months while the hiring process is ongoing, Commissioners will have to tighten up how town business is conducted and guarantee that all three of them are overseeing the actions of the town staff. This includes approving public communications and perusing information sent out for accuracy. This means no secret meetings between one Commissioner and staff to discuss what is happening. These one-on-one meetings in the past create suspicion, promote division, and are part of the reason a former town employee felt empowered to run the town as her personal kingdom. Monitoring by Town Commissioners also means that the lines of communication need will be clear so that staff understands what they can and cannot do without Commissioner approval. This will cut down on silly mistakes, poor judgement, and embarrassing social media posts among other things.
Finally, for those of you who think this is much ado about nothing, remind yourselves that YOU as citizens and taxpayers have a loud voice and that our staff works for all of us, not just a favored few. That doesn't mean we should be rude or unprofessional to them, but it means that we get to ask questions without having ranting tirades on FACEBOOK or conflicting messages to reasonable questions. When mistakes are made, and they will be, they need to be addressed swiftly, fairly and appropriately by the Commissioners. This will help everyone understand the boundaries involved in working in a public office.
And we need our employees to do their jobs as they are designated. We don't need any more Alexander Haig moments.
If we do this now, it will be the best way to move forward successfully and keep our town running smoothly until a new, professional, qualified and ethical Town Manager is hired.
*If you do not know this situation, search it online. Haig's actual quote taken after the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan was, "I, Al Haig, am in control here at the White House,” He got a lot of blow back for that since he was Secretary of State and seemed to be assuming powers that were not his.
The crisis of competence is real in all public administration -- local, state, and federal. It seems no one is held accountable for their actions. This really needs to change.
You're so right. Oxford is just a mini-version of what is going on everywhere.
This absolutely is spot on! Commissioners are you listening? Thank you Jan.
Let's hope they are paying attention.