I was shocked by the examples of financial mismanagement, sexual harassment, racial discrimination and disregard for public safety that were alleged against Town Manager Marc Applebaum in the June 14 letter by the department heads in Dewey Beach. This was not some isolated fit of pique but rather a detailed indictment of Marc Applebaum's management.
It is damning and if true, grounds for immediate termination.
I support an immediate suspension of Mr. Applebaum with pay and a prompt investigation of the allegations.
I was the one lone no vote of a 4-1 vote to hire him permanently. I had supported him for a short-term assignment as acting town manager after we had exhausted a number of other possibilities. I felt that he had talent as a manager but not for a sensitive public-sector position like town manager. I was overruled by my commissioner colleagues.
I regret even my short-term support in light of these allegations. My heart goes out to the employees who signed this letter detailing such widespread abuses. No employees anywhere should have to work under these conditions. I know many of these individuals personally and hold them in high regard, particularly Police Chief Sam Mackert and Todd Fritchman, head of the lifeguard patrol. I hope the commissioners and Mayor Dale Cooke move swiftly to suspend Mr. Applebaum and investigate the alleged abuses.
It took courage for these employees to come forward. These people have served the town faithfully and with integrity, and I am sure these charges were not made lightly. In fact, in the 40 years I have been in and around government, I have never seen such a heavyweight assemblage of public employees willing to put their reputations and livelihoods at risk.
The commissioners owe it to the employees and to the property owners and visitors to the town to take this situation seriously and act responsibly to protect the town from liability if even half of these charges are true.
Joy Howell
former commissioner, Town of Dewey Beach
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