Should Phil Hamilton Resign?

That’s up to Del. Phil Hamilton (R – Newport News).  Until the House Ethics Committee completes its investigation and makes its recommendations, the ball is entirely in Phil’s court.  However, GOP candidates Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling (along with RPV chair Pat Mullins) should exercise better judgment and keep their collective mouths shut on this issue.

Jim Hoeft and the other guys at Bearing Drift are correct.  McDonnell, Bolling and Mullins are choosing politics over principle; and for the life of me, I can’t understand why.  Speaker William Howell (R – Stafford) has already announced that there will be a full inquiry.  The campaigns of their respective opponents are imploding.  What’s the upside Bob?  Bill?  Pat?  I certainly don’t recall any of you screaming for Mark Earley’s resignation when he was AG.

For purposes of disclosure, this matter hits me hard.  Phil Hamilton is a friend.  I’ve known him almost as long as I’ve known my wife.  In fact, it was Michelle who introduced me to Phil and encouraged me to play a role in Phil securing his first nomination in 1988.  Phil has served the citizens of the 93rd District since he was elected in a special election that year.  He was never conservative enough for some.  He was never partisan enough for some.  Serving ALL of his constituents has been his priority since the day he was elected.

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Salisbury Ethics Commission Show Trial

Displaying the cowardice to be expected of someone who attacks children, Barrie Comegys stooge Jonathan Taylor failed to show up for the Salisbury Ethics Commission show trial precipitated by his own actions.  While thousands of taxpayer dollars were wasted in this spiteful and ridiculous action, Taylor (who already lives on the generosity of taxpayers) hid from view while Barrie Comegys stalwart Lynn Cathcart was on hand to take notes for the wannbe “Powers That Be”.

To be fair, the Ethics Commission ran a fairly clean meeting.  The attending members:  Donna Forgash, Norman Lyster, Bob Gladden, and Fran Kane all asked valid, thoughtful, and polite questions.

While several people at the hearing asked the same question, “What the hell are we doing here?”, the Ethics Commission serves a theoretically important role.  It has been suggested that the board should have examined the complaint prior to today’s hearing and ruled that it was frivolous.  However, if a complaint had been filed against Barrie Tilghman, Mike Dunn, Gary Comegys, or Louise Smith and the Commission had done so (ruled it frivolous in a private meeting) I would be one of the first to scream fraud and cover-up;  so would many of the same people asking that question today.

Was the complaint frivolous?  It turns out that it was.  Councilwoman Terry Cohen made a presentation that not only proved the claim specious, but shamed City Solicitor Paul Wilber for his complete incompetence on these matters.  While not named specifically today, Cohen also proved Councilman Gary Comegys to be a liar, a fool, or both.  You’ll have to decide.
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Did Bill McCain Violate Wicomico County Ethics Rules?

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. Read more

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