WORCESTER LEADER DEFENDS “GEE” WILLIAMS AND TRASHES THE DAILY TIMES

Joe Moore, a major player in Democrat dealings in Worcester County and prominent attorney there, has quickly come to the defense of Berlin’s mayor, Mr. Williams, who is the subject of a recent article in the Daily Times that discussed a significant donation to his campaign for the House of Delegates. The article reported that at almost at the same time as the Town’s commissioners voted to approve the purchase of land, a group of business firms affiliated with the seller gave $2,500 to the political campaign of Mr. Williams, who actively promoted the deal. It also discussed the fact that the purchase price being paid by Berlin is twice what the property sold for last year, pointing out that the higher value is supported by the appraisal firm of William McCain, who is a member of the Wicomico County Council.

Mr. Moore does not suggest that the article is incorrect in any of the facts that it reported. He points out, also correctly, that the purchase of the property was not approved by Mayor Williams, but rather by the town’s legislative body (as the article also noted), albeit by a bare majority as two Council members disqualified themselves. He also states that James “Bud” Church, who is a member of the Worcester County Commissioners, and the current State’s Attorney, Joel Todd, spoke in support of the deal.

We have no issue with Mr. Moore, a skilled advocate, presenting a factual scenario that appears more favorable for Mayor Williams, although it seems appropriate for the latter to do so and in the process explain whether the value of the property has actually doubled since it was sold last year. Mr. Moore did not address that aspect of the situation.

Instead, he berates the Daily Times for insinuating that “the purchase and a campaign donation had some possible connection”, which he deems to be “offensive”. That’s why we must return fire. The Daily Times reported facts, not fantasy, that some folks finds very disturbing. The media should do basic reportage without concern about the political careers or the sensibilities of the pillars of the community (or as some would say, the “good old boys”).

It’s not often that we applaud the Daily Times, and this may be the first time we have defended it. Mr. Moore offered the readers his best “jury spin”, stating that the article “is unfair to the citizens of Berlin”, which is absurd. His hyperbole, however, is biased and fanciful: the facts can be very inconvenient at times like this.