Town commissioners, including myself, are responsible for the oversight of the town departments and management on behalf of residents. As part of this duty, this winter, I took the initiative to contact an independent police consultant to get a proposal for the review of the Dewey Beach Police Department after several years of the town failing to follow up.
The commissioners then voted to contract for a comprehensive review of the police department and activities related to the department. However, town management is currently withholding the information and findings from this study.
The insistence by town management to conceal vital information and the non-transparency of their actions prevent the commissioners from properly preparing for upcoming meetings and exercising effective oversight on behalf of the residents’ interests.
Withholding the police consultant’s study and findings is just a drop in the bucket of self-serving decisions that town management has made against the best interests of the town’s residents. For example, last year, town management had access to the Independent Audit Report and Agreed Upon Procedures prior to public circulation. This resulted in the document being wrongfully edited before the audit committee or residents were able to see the report.
Not surprisingly, these actions led to negative publicity for Dewey Beach, and to the resignation of almost half of the members who served on the audit committee. Deceptive actions like these are unacceptable, and it is imperative that we take all steps to avoid situations of concealment.
It’s essential that property owners understand what is happening in their town, particularly since this is not the first time information has been withheld or delayed from the commissioners. I have heard from citizens that they are also having the same issues.
For example, I received an email stating that “it’s a challenge for us to even get our repeated emails or written messages to town officials answered.” Make no mistake, this is intentional. I have personally been reprimanded twice by town management for responding to a property owner’s complaints too quickly, as this “will set a precedent and they will expect it.”
Despite town management’s lack of care for Dewey Beach and its residents, in my role as commissioner, I intend to keep all residents informed and updated on current and urgent issues, including this one. Meanwhile, please contact me with any input you have on this important matter.
David Moskowitz, CFA, CPA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
commissioner, Town of Dewey Beach
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