derricksonb
10-18-2006, 09:17 AM
Charles Town council censures Ward
By CHRIS BROWN / Journal Staff Writer
CHARLES TOWN ? Charles Town City Council members voted to censure Councilman Matt Ward on Monday, after taking offense to remarks he made on a radio show where he accused them of being ?in the pockets? of developers.
Ward, who questioned the legality of the council?s action, claimed his right to free speech was being squelched after the group approved a motion to condemn his actions, and to present the resolution of censure at its next council meeting. One council member even suggested that Ward should resign if he cannot work with everyone else on the board.
According to council members, on area radio station WRNR, Ward recently accused the entire City Council of being unduly influenced by developers and only voting their way on annexation.
Councilwoman Geraldine Willingham, who had expressed frustration with Ward earlier in the meeting, made a motion to censure Ward, and it carried 7 to 1. Ward voted against the motion, and there were no absences.
Willingham said she had been offended by remarks that Ward had made, suggesting that the council was ?in the pockets? of developers. She challenged Ward to produce evidence that she had taken any money from developers.
Councilman Donald Clendening said that he could ?no longer sit as with muted ears? to comments that Ward had allegedly made about Clendening and other council members in regard to developers? alleged influence over the board. Clendening reminded Ward that only three sitting council members had received campaign contributions from developers: Mayor Peggy Smith, Amy Schmitt and Clendening himself.
?My objectives during my campaign were well publicized and included my open opinion toward growth,? Clendening said. He added that he does acknowledge and respect the view points of those citizens with a ?no-growth attitude,? but he thinks that this group in no way represents the views of the majority of Charles Town?s citizens.
Schmitt said she thought the majority of the council members? view on growth is more reflective of the local community than Ward?s. She added, ?If (Ward) cannot work with the rest of us in a respectful and businesslike manner, then maybe it is time for (him) to resign.?
In an interview Tuesday, Ward questioned the legality of the censure resolution, saying that there was ?no precedent, no law and no procedure? for such an action.
Ward said Tuesday that the community is ready for an open debate on development.
He said that the council had taken such action before. When a group of concerned citizens spoke before the council about development, Ward alleged that the council then took steps to cut off public input at council meetings.
?We will stand up for fair debate and challenge this illegal move,? Ward said.
? Staff writer Chris Brown can be reached at 725-6581, or at cbrown@journal-news.net
Section: News Posted: 10/18/2006
By CHRIS BROWN / Journal Staff Writer
CHARLES TOWN ? Charles Town City Council members voted to censure Councilman Matt Ward on Monday, after taking offense to remarks he made on a radio show where he accused them of being ?in the pockets? of developers.
Ward, who questioned the legality of the council?s action, claimed his right to free speech was being squelched after the group approved a motion to condemn his actions, and to present the resolution of censure at its next council meeting. One council member even suggested that Ward should resign if he cannot work with everyone else on the board.
According to council members, on area radio station WRNR, Ward recently accused the entire City Council of being unduly influenced by developers and only voting their way on annexation.
Councilwoman Geraldine Willingham, who had expressed frustration with Ward earlier in the meeting, made a motion to censure Ward, and it carried 7 to 1. Ward voted against the motion, and there were no absences.
Willingham said she had been offended by remarks that Ward had made, suggesting that the council was ?in the pockets? of developers. She challenged Ward to produce evidence that she had taken any money from developers.
Councilman Donald Clendening said that he could ?no longer sit as with muted ears? to comments that Ward had allegedly made about Clendening and other council members in regard to developers? alleged influence over the board. Clendening reminded Ward that only three sitting council members had received campaign contributions from developers: Mayor Peggy Smith, Amy Schmitt and Clendening himself.
?My objectives during my campaign were well publicized and included my open opinion toward growth,? Clendening said. He added that he does acknowledge and respect the view points of those citizens with a ?no-growth attitude,? but he thinks that this group in no way represents the views of the majority of Charles Town?s citizens.
Schmitt said she thought the majority of the council members? view on growth is more reflective of the local community than Ward?s. She added, ?If (Ward) cannot work with the rest of us in a respectful and businesslike manner, then maybe it is time for (him) to resign.?
In an interview Tuesday, Ward questioned the legality of the censure resolution, saying that there was ?no precedent, no law and no procedure? for such an action.
Ward said Tuesday that the community is ready for an open debate on development.
He said that the council had taken such action before. When a group of concerned citizens spoke before the council about development, Ward alleged that the council then took steps to cut off public input at council meetings.
?We will stand up for fair debate and challenge this illegal move,? Ward said.
? Staff writer Chris Brown can be reached at 725-6581, or at cbrown@journal-news.net
Section: News Posted: 10/18/2006