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Friday, June 20, 2008

Wicomico Liquor Control Board Attorney Denies Documents

There seem to be a lot crossed wires over at the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board. The latest evidence comes from their own attorney.

In a letter dated June 9, LCB attorney Victor H. Laws, III informs Wicomico County Council Administrator Matt Creamer that documents requested by the council would not be forthcoming. There was just one problem, the documents had already been sent to the council after much delay.

The humor of this not withstanding, Mr. Laws makes some interesting comments in his piece to the council. Laws asserts that the LCB is "an independent state agency" and that the Wicomico County Council "has no jurisdiction over the Board (LCB) or any right to supervise its operations." Laws also asserts that the actions of "certain council members represent a form of attempted micromanagement, and even harassment."

Laws should be ashamed of himself for stealing from the Barrie Tilghman / Paul Wilber school of jurisprudence in such a blatant manner.

It is true that the LCB is an independent state agency. Therefore, they are subject to Maryland's Public Information Act. Borrowing from the Tilghman / Wilber school, Laws seems to be asserting that council members somehow cease to hold the rights of common citizens upon their ascension to elected office.

In my humble opinion, the council is being too kind. They should simply fill out a PIA request when they want something and run Haemel, et al into court if they refuse to comply.

The council, in providing legislative oversight over the county's budget SHOULD be making sure that the Wicomico taxpayer is receiving all funds from the LCB that they are due. This will undoubtedly mean that there will be requests for more documents. Mr. Laws would be wise to advise his client to comply.

How else can our elected representatives determine if checks to Kuhn's Jewelers and Kitty's Flowers are legitimate expenses?

Tomorrow we will ask the question - What happened to that $400,000 a year that Ron Alessi has been talking about?

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings

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10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ummm Mr. Laws, the horse got out of the barn, a little late shutting the doors now.

Anonymous said...

The underlying issue here seems to be overlooked. People seldom exert such efforts to keep things private unless there is something to hide. The Board's actions in this and other issues is in itself sufficient reason to question their integrity.

Anonymous said...

They have always thought they were above the county council. It's time to show them we mean business.

Anonymous said...

Who was the general manager they hired quite a while back that was caught stealing on camera?

Anonymous said...

People seldom exert such efforts to keep things private unless there is something to hide.

Hey Barrie, what's your excuse? You have done everything possible including having the charter changed 10 times to HIDE information from the public and now the council members that serve the public.

WHAT ARE YOU AND WILBER HIDING?

Anonymous said...

OK, so they are a state appointed body, but they are operating a business in Wicomico county and it seems prudent to me that the county council would have the heavy hand of control here. I am surprized at Mr. Laws comments, which seem to say this board are a bunch of untouchables. I say pull a full and deep audit on the operations. Somebody is hiding something here!

A. Goetz

Anonymous said...

the general manager that was caught stealing on camera (hired from somerset liquors to be wicomico's new GM) was asked to resign and they even gave him a letter of recomendation hope his current employer know's that and keeps an close eye on him.

Tim Chaney said...

Anonymous said...
What would you all think if I told you that about 11 years ago, two complete daily deposits went missing? They also swept that under the rug along with a lot of other dirt.They also tried to frame a black fellow co-worker, we know who was stealing and it wasn't him. 8:49 PM

Anonymous said...
I've heard that there are shortages in the cash drawers often and there is never any solution for the missing amounts. 9:48 PM

Anonymous said...
Screw the state officials. CALL THE IRS. Nobody wants them crawling around in their drawers. They're like fleas, once they bite it's a long time before the itch stops. 8:03 AM

The county dispensary's don't have to file taxes or pay taxes except the sales tax that goes to the state. Sorry the IRS can't touch them either. The state doesn't care about it, LCB won't answer county council questions.

There is only one way to end that ancient regime, do away with them flat out plain and simple.

Anonymous said...

I would say maybe talk to the State Comptroller, however from what I have read he's in bed with the done boy. Are you sure the IRS can't do anything?

Anonymous said...

some of that is a load of bull because the contractor on the job at the store on tighlman rd took forever to get it completed ask any employee or customer i used to go in there a lot and wires hung from the ceiling forever