It's a rare occasion when I am able to attend a Wicomico County Council meeting. Although I try to watch the meetings on PAC-14, I was unable to watch the March 18, 2008 council meeting. Therefore, it was with great interest that I read a charge made by local blogger Bill Duvall that Wicomico Councilman Bill McCain (D - At-Large) had behaved unethically by performing an appraisal on property that a developer wanted an easement on.
A few days later, Duvall reaffirmed his charge, claiming that he had rechecked the issue. I've deliberately shied away from this issue because I had not been able to view the meeting. Well, I finally got a chance to view the meeting yesterday. Unfortunately, Duvall misstated what occurred.
Here's a synopsis:
- A request for a utility easement was made for the Iott / CrossRoads business park development. McCain immediately stated that he had to recuse himself because he had a business relationship with the developers.
- Councilman Joe Holloway questioned whether or not McCain's actions were ethical.
- No one objected sending the matter to the County Ethics Commission.
Now Holloway was absolutely correct in questioning the matter and questioning McCain's behavior. McCain was not totally clean in the way he handled this. When he told the Council that he would recuse himself, that was it. He should have never entered the discussion over this matter, which he did. In addition, McCain stated that he was recusing himself because of a "business relationship". Now this certainly wasn't a lie, but some people would take McCain's explanation as being less than honest since he had actually done an appraisal on the piece of property in question so that the developers could use it in asking for their easement.
However, Duvall wants to infer something far more nefarious:
McCain recused himself right from the start. Granted, he should have immediately disclosed that he had performed the appraisal for this particular piece of property; but he certainly didn't deny the fact.
Hopefully we will hear from the Ethics Commission in the near future. I hope that they draw the correct conclusion and that McCain takes their ruling to heart. However, to paraphrase Joe Holloway - I don't think that McCain's appraisal was wrong, I just think that the whole think doesn't look right.
Holloway is correct. While there is no doubt that McCain's job will be the source of countless conflicts during his tenure on council, as long as they are properly disclosed and McCain recuses himself there shouldn't be a problem.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, Joe Holloway, Bill McCain, ethics, Bill Duvall, blogging
A few days later, Duvall reaffirmed his charge, claiming that he had rechecked the issue. I've deliberately shied away from this issue because I had not been able to view the meeting. Well, I finally got a chance to view the meeting yesterday. Unfortunately, Duvall misstated what occurred.
Here's a synopsis:
- A request for a utility easement was made for the Iott / CrossRoads business park development. McCain immediately stated that he had to recuse himself because he had a business relationship with the developers.
- Councilman Joe Holloway questioned whether or not McCain's actions were ethical.
- No one objected sending the matter to the County Ethics Commission.
Now Holloway was absolutely correct in questioning the matter and questioning McCain's behavior. McCain was not totally clean in the way he handled this. When he told the Council that he would recuse himself, that was it. He should have never entered the discussion over this matter, which he did. In addition, McCain stated that he was recusing himself because of a "business relationship". Now this certainly wasn't a lie, but some people would take McCain's explanation as being less than honest since he had actually done an appraisal on the piece of property in question so that the developers could use it in asking for their easement.
However, Duvall wants to infer something far more nefarious:
The Council was asked to approve the conveyance of the easement in consideration of the payment of a sum to the county determined by an appraisal. Buried deep in the paperwork submitted to the Council was the identity of the appraiser.
Who was it, you ask? Oh no, it can't be Billy Mac, can it? But he never disclosed to the Council or the public that he was double dipping and playing both sides of the deal.
McCain recused himself right from the start. Granted, he should have immediately disclosed that he had performed the appraisal for this particular piece of property; but he certainly didn't deny the fact.
Hopefully we will hear from the Ethics Commission in the near future. I hope that they draw the correct conclusion and that McCain takes their ruling to heart. However, to paraphrase Joe Holloway - I don't think that McCain's appraisal was wrong, I just think that the whole think doesn't look right.
Holloway is correct. While there is no doubt that McCain's job will be the source of countless conflicts during his tenure on council, as long as they are properly disclosed and McCain recuses himself there shouldn't be a problem.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Wicomico, politics, Wicomico politics, Joe Holloway, Bill McCain, ethics, Bill Duvall, blogging
11 comments:
Sir:
The real problem is that by recusal McCain's appraisal can be used -- do you think any of the other members would even attempt to criticize him. It's the rubber ban method of appraisal (albeit not by McCain) that has allowed Mackes & Pollitt to pull off that scam about the park on the west side.
What do you think has been a real catalyst in the real estate debacle -- who are the handmaidens of those unscrupulous lenders?
PS: Joe Hollaway is a real diamond in the rough, and I'm glad that he ran. Wish I could say the same about McCain and Cannon.
Am I correct that McCain did the appraisal on the land deal but yet serves on the County Council. If so, isnt this conflict of interest? Things sure get complicated around this county!
It seems there are plenty of other appraisers around the county to have completed the appraisal!
A conflict of interest? DO YA THINK? Any professional services rendered (like an appraisal) are potentially a conflict if the subject is being considered for any change in zoning or regulated use. He should have disclosed IMMEDIATELY that he actually performed the appraisal, and not have taken part in any subsequent discussions regarding that particular property. Knowledge of property valuation practices and of zoning laws will be incredibly useful otherwise to voting members of any council, to enhance discussions and allow the group to make well-informed decisions. ANY personal involvement, be it current or past, is reason to recuse.
This and that Davis family deal (county park on the west side) are examples of how appraisals are used to scam the public. In the Davis deal, they are being used to support grossly inflated value. But here, it may be the opposite. If the owner of that land on Hobbs Road needs something from the County in order to develop property in which it has millions already, then it will pay much more than the general value of the land in question, which is probably fairly low because of the narrow width of the easement. If the County is getting less than 6-figures for the easement, then it is subsidizing the developer at the taxpayer's expense.
Please tell us how much the County will get for that easement so we can see if we're being scammed once again.
Somebody please tell us what the price tag for the County's Hobbs Road easement.
I can't stand Bill McCain. He is a county softball coach. His behaviour is equally unethical there as well. He runs and plays the girls like they are in the majors. He is a pompus arrogant human.
Isn't he the one that did the appraisal on the new fire house land? The same land the city paid hundreds of thousands of dollars more than it was worth?
One commenter is concerned that McCain's appraisal can be used. That is true. However, it is true that any other appraisal could be used.
McCain's appraisal was done for the developers. County Council could choose to commission one or more appraisals if they wish. That is entirely up to them.
Anon @ 8:45:
NOT TO WORRY - WE'VE BEEN SCAMMED, ONCE AGAIN!
Mr. Harrison:
You missed the point, once again -- the other six dwarfs would not dare make it seem that they don't trust Sir William. How about reporting how much the County will get in this deal and whether it matches MaCain's appraisal.
listen....i am good friends with bill...and he's truly a "awesome" guy. ive know him for MANY years....and i know for a fact that he wouldn't do such. You all can think what you want, but he simply didn't do such, or even if he did, it was an mistake. anyone can make a mistake.
Anonymous said...
listen....i am good friends with bill...and he's truly a "awesome" guy. ive know him for MANY years....and i know for a fact that he wouldn't do such. You all can think what you want, but he simply didn't do such, or even if he did, it was an mistake. anyone can make a mistake.
7:37 PM
Yeah right Bill.
"Awesome guy", ROTFLMAO
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