Rock Hall Mayor Robert Willis apparently doesn’t like the legal advice that town attorneys Charles “Chip” MacLeod and Patrick Thomas have given the council lately and wants to fire them both, according to Vice Mayor Brian Jones who spoke with Willis at around 8 p.m. last night.
“Willis told me “their services were not needed one day more,”” Jones said.
“I have complete confidence in MacLeod and Thomas as our town attorneys,” Jones said. “They have given me and others on the council invaluable advice in these most difficult times.”
Jones believes Willis is likely to call for a closed session at the onset of tonight’s budget meeting to secure the votes, but Jones insists he would strongly resist any attempt to fire the attorneys in closed session. The budget meeting starts at 5:30 p.m.
Sources said Willis’ desire to fire the two attorneys stems from advice MacLeod recently gave Clerk Treasurer Stephanie Loller to deny Willis the passwords to the town’s online banking system. Willis demanded the passwords on May 10, and again on May 17.
MacLeod has also advised Willis to immediately return the original tape recordings taken from a 12-hour closed session on April 28 — when Willis attempted to fire Town Manager Ron Fithian.
“I have great respect for MacLeod and his services to the town,” said councilman Olin “Butch” Price. “He has served the town since before I was on the council and I am shocked to hear this.”
Price said he would not feel comfortable going into a closed session without another attorney present to advise the council on MacLeod.
Councilwoman Susan Francis, Councilman Brian Nesspor, and Mayor Willis did not respond to several calls from the Spy by the time this story ran.
a mills says
Sheesh – Mr. Willis sure does run once he has a bone in his mouth! Is he completely unaware of the spectacle he is making of himself? Has no one close to him told him?
This is very entertaining, I’m checking this websites several times a day to read the updates & comments! I’m sure the citizens of Rock Hall think otherwise though.
Mike Hunt says
Lawyers give advice based on the law. They don’t write the law, so “liking” or “disliking” their impartial advice is somewhat nonsensical…It appears Bobby Willis doesn’t want a real lawyer for the town, but rather a stooge with a law degree…
Rachel Goss says
Really? We are passing ridiculous at break-neck speed…
Gren Whitman says
Willis is morphing into Rock Hall’s version of the Red Queen.
Not happy with the Town Manager? “Off with his head!”
Not happy with the Town Attorney? “Off with his head!”
“Curiouser and curiouser,” says Alice (and so say we all).
Mike Hunt says
Gren, by the time you and I are on the same page…well, I think it might have been foretold in Revelations. You have been 100% right in all these matters from start to finish. Willis forgets that the town lawyer doesn’t work for him–the client is the town, not the mayor–and the lawyer’s duty is to do what is best for the town within a legal framework, not what is best for the mayor. Willis’ attitude reminds me of an episode where Chestertown’s mayor told a little girl “I’m the boss of this town.” Actually, the mayor is not the town’s boss, but rather the town’s servant. If this guy is allowed to remain, then it would be more fitting to change the name of the town from Rock Hall to Fief of Willis.
Liz Smith says
Let’s take a deep breath … First of all, what does the Town charter / ordinances require in order to dismiss the Town attorney(s)? Must there be just cause ? A public hearing? Majority vote with the Mayor able to cast a vote in the event of a tie? Is the Town opening a door to the possibility of legal action if the appropriate channels are not followed? Quite possibly.
It has moved beyond the point where Mayor Willis should have presented concrete evidence to substantiate any claims that he has made or continues to make. As we say in Rock Hall: fish or cut bait. Mayor Willis, if you have something – present it so there can be productive forward movement. If you do not and / or you remain so unrepentent, prepare yourself for the demise of your political career. Sadly, as the chain of events becomes more convoluted and bizarre, the likelihood of a positive resolution becomes more dim.
carol cameron says
If Mr. MacLeod was told the mayor feared turning in the tapes to the town hall office might result in some, er, tampering of the tapes – and MacLeod still insisted on giving the same “legal advice” he did – then he ought to be fired as the town’s official attorney. Certainly, any ethical attorney who had no conflicts of interests existing would have quickly suggested an appropriate( 3rd party neutral) custodian for safekeeping of the tapes and thereby defused the situation.
Time to call in the State Prosecutor’s Office, for sure. That is the only way to finally clear up ( and clean up) the whole mess for once and all. The mayor can’t do it on his own. Nor should he be expected to.
Jack Offett says
Carol, do you really want to call the State Prosecutor in? Is that what you think will be good for Mayor Willis. You are one of his very few public supporters. If he can produce the tapes in their original form, then he may get off with a slap. If the tapes don’t surface, well that is a different, more serious situation. Ask John Leopold.
George Hardy says
It would take a vote of three members of the Rock Hall Town Council to propose and pass a “Motion of No Confidence” against the Mayor. Please, let’s end this sad chapter for our town.
Skip Middleton says
Bob – You’re missing the forest for the trees buddy – Counsel provided exactly the correct advice – and though services can be terminated, with accordance to the contract, new counsel will reiterate this prudent opinion. As this hardly appears to be the issue, my advice to you is to return the information, and the Town Council should solicit 3rd party guidance to review all information, all financial information, and clean up the mess. The overview might take a week, it would be over, and Rock Hall would look a little more ‘together’ than it does currently. Firing counsel creates the appearance of impropriety, as would firing outside auditors and the like. Clean it up folks – I hate to be embarrassed of my home county..
Jack Edson says
I think he is almost ready for Congress or the White House.
rachel goss says
Why not have the tapes transcribed? …MBobby can sit in the room while it is happening…really…Rock Hall’s townspeople don’t deserve this ‘show’.
More reasons and less excuses, please.
Jack Offett says
Hats off to these attorneys and hats off to Ms. Loller for not succumbing to Mr. Willis’ pressure on the bank accounts. I am just waiting for the state prosecutor to get wind of this tape scandal. Why not return the tapes? Were the destroyed? The missing 12 hours? Nixon destroyed 18 minutes and look what happened to him.
Liz Smith says
Bearing in mind that truth is often stranger than fiction and with so many unanswered questions; if we allow that Mayor Willis possibly has something of substance, it must go to capable hands on a higher level. Continued strife among the same circle will only move in a circle.
Mayor Willis, what have you ?
kurt kolaja says
I may have to take my gear to Rock Hall and crank up a reality show.
MB Troup says
It’s been a week. Maybe network placed it on hiatus. Perhaps a celebrity cameo will get the ratings back up to Modern Family levels.
sheila walker says
@kurt it would be a lot more entertaining than all of the redneck swamp people shows that seem to be on every channel. You could call it Whatcha Talkin About Willis?