After reading “Schaeffer dishes dirt on fellow Sussex councilman,” we feel compelled to comment. The behavior and comments of both Councilman Schaeffer and Councilwoman Green were unconscionable and inexcusable. Both councilpersons raised the appearance of an ethical violation on the part of Councilman Rieley as a basis for his resignation.
It is mind-boggling that Green asserts that there is an appearance of impropriety (kickback) that must be dealt with. Schaeffer tries to paint a customary practice by farmers as some nefarious activity by Rieley. Raising this alleged violation at an open council hearing two weeks before the primary was egregious and clearly politically motivated. We view this behavior as an ethical violation; perhaps Schaeffer and Green should resign.
Not so long ago in the spring of 2021, Schaeffer and Green voted to pass a change-of-use application for a well-known developer. The application presented a distorted and tortured method to calculate allowable density. In fact, the proffered method of calculation was so distasteful and clearly wrong that council subsequently changed the zoning law to assure the creative math could never be used again. The developer/applicant was a contributor to the political campaigns of both Schaeffer and Green. Since the developer/applicant would benefit greatly financially from the change of use, we asked that Schaeffer and Green recuse themselves from voting on the application, as the appearance of impropriety constituted a valid and persuasive ground for recusal based on a conflict of interest. They did not recuse themselves and the developer/applicant got what it wanted. Schaeffer and Green should look in the mirror before they attempt to besmirch a brother councilman.
Transparency by our elected officials is sacrosanct. The comments during the council hearing were clearly politically motivated, and Schaeffer and Green should be held accountable for their outrageous behavior.
We do not live in Rieley’s district and therefore cannot show our support on primary day. We reside in Schaeffer’s district. Schaeffer has shown himself to favor developers and overdevelopment in Sussex County. Green customarily votes with Schaeffer on matters before council. We fear that if Rieley’s opponent is successful, there will be a developers’ cabal representing a majority voting bloc on the council.
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