An accusation letter sent to the Delaware State Public Integrity Commission regarding this summer’s controversy on the Ocean View Town Council was addressed at the last Ocean View town council meeting, Oct. 3.
The unidentified letter-writer accused members of the council of violation of Sec. 5806 in the Code of Conduct for the motion of censure of Councilman Bill Wichmann during the Town Council meeting on July 18.
Chairman of the Public Integrity Commission, Terry Massie, replied in a letter of his own, “The letter fails to state a code violation because the allegations are not within this Commission’s jurisdiction and/or the facts fail to establish a reasonable belief of a violation.”
Considering the letters, Councilman Roy Thomas made a statement at the Oct. 3 meeting emphasizing the actions of the council were ethical, legal and followed recognized protocols.
Thomas also stated, “I accept the fact that Mr. Wichmann has the best interests of the Town of Ocean View at heart. He is a dedicated and hardworking councilman. He made a mistake. He was held accountable. End of story.”
Wichmann said he would prefer not to comment on the issue. He did say he had never seen the letter to the Commission until it was returned to the council. Wichmann said he hoped this would be an end to the ordeal and the council could move on with pertinent issues from this point.
To Wichmann in his statement, Thomas said, “Mr. Wichmann, I look forward to working with you and attacking these (the town’s) problems.”