Sussex County Council President on the Take?
What would you say if I told you that the President of The Sussex County Council was paid $5,000 in salary by the largest developer in Sussex County? Sounds pretty fishy, eh? Well that is exactly what developer and Republican candidate for US Congress Glenn Urquhart is doing with his campaign funds.
Let’s review. Glenn Urquhart has raised $568,050 dollars in his quest to be the Republican candidate for Congress. Of that $568,050, Urquhart gave $565,000 to his own campaign. This means that he has raised a mere $3,050 in donations.
So far he has spent a little over $56,000 on the campaign. $5,000 of that money has gone to pay a salary to Vance Phillips, The Sussex County Council President. An additional $475 or so was paid to Phillips to reimburse him for expenses, as well.
Vance’s salary is the second highest expenditure for the Urquhart campaign during this reporting period. It also represents more that Urquhart has collected in fundraising and almost 10% of total expenditures. I guess if this whole Congressional thing doesn’t work out, Urquhart can go right back to developing the hell out of Sussex County. Except, next time he will have an employee as County Council President.
Tags: Delaware Republicans, Glenn Urquhart, Scandalous!, Sussex County, Vance Phillips
1) Great blogging LG. 2) A corrupt Republican…knock me over with a feather.
He’s crazy from the watermelon…
“Crazy from the Watermellon” was the title of the album I cut with him when Vance and I were wild eyed Montana Wild Axe meets Pink Floyd wannabees.
I should add that the Tea Partier standard responses should be coming in soon:
a) But Urquhart is a true conservative…
b) X, a Democrat, did that too…
c) Obama once parked in the same garage as Bill Ayers.
d) You can’t trust the FEC website, it’s a government agency.
e) Silence
I’m totally shocked, shocked I tell you. NOT!!!
Does this warrant a county os state ethics investigation?
It warrants Vance Phillips’ resignation from Council
I dont think this is first un-ethical problem hes had.
Refresh my memory isnt he the same member of council that tried to scam a family farm from his uncle or cousin a few years back? I think it ended up in chancery court? Can anyone find the link?
Vance Phillips got paid for legitimate services in a fully public forum. I call the campaign 8 in the morning and 8 at night and Vance picks up the phone if he isn’t on the road with the candidate. He is not getting paid to consult on development. There is nothing there, there. This is not some secret. This in a state where half the state legislature has another state paycheck and where political appointments can be held by legislators.
If he doesn’t abstain on a case where Mr. Urquhart has substantial interest during this time period, dial back. Otherwise this doesn’t even merit a post.
David – stop being an apologist for Urquhart. He is the largest developer in Sussex and he has the County Council President in his employ. If Vance wanted to volunteer, great. Have at it, Vance. If Vance took a job with Protack or Christine O’Donnell (and he could get them to actually PAY) fine. But, Urquhart requires the approval of a body that Vance presides over to conduct business.
You may think that there isn’t any hanky-panky going on, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t warrant a post.
And I’ve seen your posts… The bar isn’t that high to begin with.
This is silly even for you. When was the last time Mr. Urquhart had a case? Does he have one pending? Will does he even plan to bring one during this term? You should answer those questions before you start slandering someone. We already investigated it and know the answers. The papers also know the answers. What you are putting up is so over the top, it is absurd. Those of us involved had already decided it was a none issue.
I have heard chatter about this from various Democrat sources, this shows that it is a coordinated smear tactic. That avenue should be addressed and we have done it from that perspective.
David, WAKE UP YOU IDIOT! This is being leaked by the Republican party, not the Democrats.
As for your question, Vance voted for Issacs Glen a 1500 home developement in Milton.
Is this a payback for his vote? But you are right this is absurd!
Mr. Phillips and Mr. Urquhart really need to explain themselves.
Also, why do you think Democrats would leak this? There’s definitely some Republicans (Michelle Rollins supporters) who would gain a lot by knocking out her biggest competition for the primary.
1,630 home development in Milton.
The Sussex County Council President on the campaign payroll for a Sussex County developer, whether it’s improper or not, gives the appearance of impropriety.
Again, David has shown us what the use of crack does to one’s brain. It warps it. David, you need to take off those rose colored glasses you’re seeing the world through when it comes to your fellow Rethuglicans.
Phillips is on the take and now we have written proof.
The News Journal weighs in:
http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100416/NEWS02/4160367/1006/NEWS
Must be a non-story.
And there is very little proof that the Urquhart campaign is even real. So far, they have 2 contributors.
2
Seriously. This campaign has the depth of an old-west Main Street on a Hollywood back lot. So if it isn’t a serious campaign for Congress, what is it?
Also hearing from the Republican party that a former State Representative has a protection from abuse or restaining order against Urquhart.
Has anyone else heard this?
Not sure what’s worse – the appearance of a conflict or the fact that Urqhart and Phillips don’t see it as a problem.
It makes me queasy taking sides with the left, but I can’t see how this is not a conflict of interest.
We need some oversight one of these days. This type of shit has been going on way too long in sussex county.
Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right.
I usually find that the scandal is what is legal and not what’s illegal. Take the KWS hiring scandal for another good example.
And as if Vance’s day wasn’t bad enough, then he gets a call from Frank Knotts.
Refusing to stop digging, Vance actually returned Frank’s call while at a teabag rally with Urkel.
This situation is why Sussex County Council needs a formal ethics committee. The current County Council “ethics committee” consists of George Cole and Joan Deaver speaking out against these types of conflicts of interest, and then immediately being ignored.
And that’s a sloppy News Journal article. I’ll just point out one inaccuracy: Vance Phillips isn’t the State Party Vice Chair, Cathy Murry is the Vice Chair, it’s been that way for about a year.
It would be a conflict of interest if Urquhart had any pending cases in front of the council, but he has said he isn’t going to have any during his campaign. I’m almost 100% sure Vance knew this would eventually be reported seeing as he has been involved in many campaigns because it’s standard procedure. Only difference here is Tom Ross and Jud Bennett, both whom loathe Vance, “leaked” the “story” and are trying to destroy Vance’s political career. This should be a non-issue but since two Republicans told everyone then it’s a big deal. If everyone looked at the facts, not to mention the low salary ($5000 in how many months? 4?), then I think everyone would brush it off.
The Honorable Mr. Phillips is doing a fine job destroying his own political career.
Matt’s comment is self-contradictory. If Urquhart has no pending cases and Phillips knew it would be reported then how could leaking from Ross and Bennett hurt his career?
The NJ article was written by Beth Miller. ‘Nuff said. I know middle school students who would have done a better job.
Can anyone copy and paste former Sen. Still comment on Juds email distribution list? Its scorching!
From Still:
“This smells and the smell is not good.. This is no new wrinkle in politics..it is a conflict plain and simple..
Final comment…If Mr. Phillips thinks long time Republicans will sit back and not take notice of this serious disregard of common sense and fair play..he is mistaken…this is over the top and a big damn mistake…..”
Also, Phillips is supposed to be on Gaffney tomorrow at 8 a.m.
Still lays it down! OUCH! Looks like Vance has some ‘slainin to do. Can’t wait.
“The NJ article was written by Beth Miller. ‘Nuff said. I know middle school students who would have done a better job.”
No you don’t, you asshat. You couldn’t carry her shoes. If you have specific complaints, list them. Otherwise shut your piehole — or, rather, stick your fingers where they can’t be misused on a keyboard.
Seems like Geezer woke up on the wrong side of something this morning.
FYI – I have dealt with Beth on many articles, and she could never get quotes correct or her information correct. She is an acolyte of wRONg Williams and is, IMO, a lousy reporter. The NJ should have let Dan Shortridge write the article. At least he knows what he’s doing.
Now, go back to wanking or whatever it is you do during the daylight hours.
I know Beth a lot better than you ever will, and edited many of her articles in a former life. Yours is the first claim I”ve ever heard in her more than 25 years there about getting anything wrong. She it NOT an acolyte of Ron Williams — where the f did you come up with that horseshit? Your lack of specific complaints pretty much sums up the emptiness of your comment.
Go back to giving handjobs or whatever it is you do during the daylight hours.
Geezer’s back defending his Gannettoid pals – and fighting mean DT’s.
Oooh, Geezer, that hurt. My oh my. And any horseshit around here probably came from a farm you frequent that you go to scare the sheep.
“Matt’s comment is self-contradictory. If Urquhart has no pending cases and Phillips knew it would be reported then how could leaking from Ross and Bennett hurt his career?”
“Spinning of the story” is what I should have said. I’ll admit, I haven’t read Bennett’s email to everyone, but I’ve read enough of his forwards to assume he put his own slanted opinion in it. Once I read it maybe I can give a fairer assessment and retract my attack on him.
“If everyone looked at the facts, not to mention the low salary ($5000 in how many months? 4?), then I think everyone would brush it off.”
At what dollar amount does a payment become worth looking at? If it is such a small amount why doesn’t he just volunteer his time? Clearly presents (at a minimum) the apearance of impropriety. The only way for him to proceed is to have a standing recusal for anything connected in any way to Urquhart and return the monies to the Urquhart campaign. If he does that then we cann stand down-short of that-if he sneezes we should be there to say God bless you.
Are you kidding me? Beth Miller is a superb reporter. She’s done some absolutely tearjerking stuff about the church sex abuse scandals. What was your specific beef with this article, MJ?
What is odd about this story is that it looks like Vance and Urqhart have decided that there needs to be payment for the usual leadership support. Normally, Vance would be steering whatever support he can muster to Urqhart — fund-raising, steering donors, getting grass-roots organizations primed and ready. And this now looks like this counts as “consulting” to be compensated.
“Phillips is vice chairman of the Delaware State Republican Committee and has advised others with political ambition — including retired Superior Court Judge Bill Lee during his efforts to win the governor’s office.”
This is what’s wrong with Beth Miller’s story. Vance is the FORMER Vice Chair of the Delaware State Republican Committee, the current Vice Chairperson is Cathy Murray.
There you go, MJ, I just defended you. They’re ice skating in Hell right now.
And Matt, looks to me like Phillips is reaping what he has sowed from the state party. Or in other words, payback is a bitch.
fund-raising, steering donors, getting grass-roots organizations primed
Ha! Perhaps Vance pulled in that one Sussex county donor. Heckuva job, Vance!
LOL, Missundazstood.
I was pointing out that on the 8 times she has interviewed me for a story she has gotten quotes incorrect and other information incorrect. It’s nothing personal, I’m sure she’s a nice person. I just find her reporting to be sub-par, IMO.
The Sussex County Council President on the campaign payroll for a Sussex County developer, whether it’s improper or not, gives the appearance of impropriety.
*
Almost as good as being married to the top development attorney in the state, eh Pam Scott-Paul Clarky?
No argument here, Nancy.
I’m not always looking for an argument, Geek. 🙂
Wgmd has the audio up of Vances interview. Phillips has the balls to laugh and say not only is he being paid 5k, but hes not being paid enough. Hes one arrogant SOB.
He also said that he operates under a different set of standards than everyone else. Basically, he and Urquhart, who was also on the show (and my ears have just stopped bleeding) thumbed their noses at Sussex County. Then a caller (probably a plant) pulled a “well, Jud Bennett worked for Clatworthy’s campaign when he was a Lewes City Councilman and no one complained.”
I’m no fan of Bennett, but I doubt that Clatworthy had any development projects before the Lewes City Council while Jud was on it. Bennett would have the good sense to not put himself in the position that Phillips has put himself in.
One word to sum up Phillips and Urquhart – arrogant!
Amazing how you all jumped on the bandwagon and had this REPUBLICAN convicted right off the bat without much if any inquiry. A stark contrast to the constant soft-treading when it concerns the much more egregious offenses by the profoundly corrupt DEMOCRAT insurance commissioner who is apparently going to get away with it because everyone is covering for her or at least giving her the benefit of the doubt. No so here. In your eyes this guy is guilty. Period. Your hypocrisy is showing again.
anon2, Youre a stupid jackass. DL has been all over KWS. Please do your homework before you start typing.
That would be asking too much of anon2 or any other of Phillips friends. Phillips, who lives in Western Sussex, won’t stop supporting over-developing Eastern Sussex until there is nowhere left to put a condo. And then he’ll oppose anything for his district.
DL was exposing the wired RFPs before the NJ or CRI were even looking at them last year.
Western Sussex is a shit hole. The parts you can see as you scoot through it on your way to someplace decent are shitty anyway. Maybe there is a picturesque and productive farm or something tucked in somewhere.
This of course is what the rest of the East Coast thinks about Delaware as a whole.
One of Delaware’s main selling points is actually that it is near other places.
“Delaware – so close to where you’d rather be.”
MJ wrote: “I’m no fan of Bennett, but I doubt that Clatworthy had any development projects before the Lewes City Council while Jud was on it.”
MJ – I’m not sure I take your meaning here. Urquhart doesn’t have any development projets before the County Council now, meaning there’s no conflict. So what’s the point you’re trying to make?
Anon: There is documentation that KWS has been on the take practically since the day she took office and that personal enrichment was the only reason why she ran for it. Vance Phillips’ $5,000 is chump change to her. At the very least, the wired RFP’s you’re so proud of having discussed should have tipped you off. You don’t seriously think it’s out of the kindness of her heart she’s giving her bogus “consultants” hundreds of thousands a year of the state’s money for having contributed a measly $1000 or $1200 to her campaign? And her corruption isn’t limited to kickbacks. Any idiot out there like her usual shills who’ll scream defamation should read up on the law. Truth is an absolute defense. Start treating people equally or at least quit bitching that others don’t. The next headline about KWS should be as unequivocal as the one on this thread.
There is documentation that KWS has been on the take practically since the day she took office
Documentation you conveniently can’t produce or point to.
We have persistently told everyone who is listening that if you can come up with said documentation, we will publish it making sure you are not compromised. And to date, all there is are these loudmouths like anon2 here — claiming much and producing nothing.
Oh, I forgot. She DOES have an outdated photo. You *were* right about that.
You’d think that would give me credibility. But hell no, because the culprit is a Democrat. Be assured that if I had no proof I wouldn’t be saying anything like I have, but having proof doesn’t mean I’m authorized to publish it. As soon as I am, I promise you’ll be the first to see it.
Everyone here is subject to the same standards. Which I guess you would miss since the *unequivocal headline* of this thread is a question. Which — for the record — undermines the *unequivocal* BS. People on this blog are not in the habit of just throwing around accusations that we can’t back up. For that, you need to go to DelawarePolitics or someplace else where credibility is not something of value.
“Geezer’s back defending his Gannettoid pals”
Right. I was SUCH a Gannettoid. As opposed to you, who are…what, exactly?
MJ, you’re full of it. Did you call TNJ to report the misquotes? No? You’ve been asked several times to provide specific complaints about this article. You still haven’t done it.
I generally have no problem with your opinions espoused here. But, as I said before, I worked with her for many years. Yours are the first complaints of this nature I’ve heard. You haven’t backed up your claims.