I am writing in response to Mr. Jeff Nayda’s letter to the editor published July 13 in this newspaper.
I was shocked to read that Mr. Robert Wheatley, chairman of the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission, has a consulting business that works directly with real estate developers. I viewed his company website, Whayland Consulting Group, and read the following: “With decades of experience in construction management Whayland Consulting Group can assist you with comprehensive program development, project management, and owner’s representation. From beginning to end, we offer in depth, inside knowledge that can guide you through exhaustive development processes. How can we help?
Let Bob Wheatley and Whayland Consulting Group Assist You With:
Site selection
Site assessment
Real estate procurement
Architectural and engineering resources
Site supervision
Permit acquisition
Facilitating vision groups
Developing a program.
I am not saying Mr. Wheatley has a conflict of interest or there is any wrongdoing. However, I worked in compliance on Wall Street. We would say “…even the appearance of...” when, although nothing illegal or in violation occurred, the mere appearance of a relationship or act could potentially harm the firm’s reputation, credibility or permanently damage the trust clients had placed in the firm to act as a fiduciary within the client’s best interest. If I was still working in compliance and was asked to audit the Whayland Consulting Group, I would focus on the developers who have contracted with the Whayland Consulting Group both pre and post being granted approval from the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission. I would ask for that list. We also used to say in compliance, “follow the money.”
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