Arrogance or Corruption at the Wicomico County Liquor Control Board?

The Wicomico County Liquor Control Board, notably commissioners Stewart Haemel and Ron Alessi seem to believe that former Maryland Gov. Bob Ehrlich appointed them lords of their own little fiefdom. Gov. Ehrlich neither possessed the power to do so, nor do I believe that was his intention.

Let’s remember, all of the funds taken in by the county dispensary system - less LEGITIMATE expenses - belong to the taxpayer. While Alessi may like to hang out with Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman, that is no excuse for deluding yourself that taxpayer money is his to spend as he wishes.

Yet, we see Alessi being paid for contracting jobs. Haemel and Alessi used TAXPAYER FUNDS to pay for a POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENT. Taxpayer funds were reportedly used to fund a dinner at the Green Hill Country Club to discuss with LCB employees how to fight privatization (another blatantly political purpose). Now Haemel and Alessi are under the delusion that they don’t have to comply with a request from Wicomico council members Stevie Prettyman and Joe Holloway to produce copies of the LCB’s check register.

Councilman Holloway is right. “Refusal to release the information council requested only creates an air of mistrust and the perception of trying to hide something.”

If anything, Holloway is too kind. At a minimum, these two are guilty of a particularly disgusting form of arrogance found only among your worst politicians. Their continued refusal to make the records of a public agency available smells of a cover-up.

What you hiding guys?