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On behalf of the members of the Charles County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (CCNAACP), we want it known that our organization fully supports the recent Resolution put forth by Commissioner Debra Davis and voted on by the majority of the Commissioners.

We support this Resolution as an affirmation of the Board’s commitment to the Code Home Rule form of government which is operated by a Board of County Commissioners and not by one individual.

We have become aware that Commissioner President Candice Kelly has taken it upon herself to testify in support of legislation in Annapolis without seeking the Board’s consent on an issue that had not received Board support (Senate Bill 236). In addition, Commissioner Kelly has hosted social events at her private residence using county staff as hostesses which raises serious questions about the proper use of government resources. And, we support this resolution because it is no more than an effort to ensure the citizens of Charles County that our county is being run by a Board and not by one individual.

We, the NAACP, support diversity of opinions and ideas. The diversity in Charles County is one of its greatest assets and what will make Charles County a Premiere County. The Charles County NAACP expects the Commissioner President to maintain professional behavior while on the job and after duty hours. We have been contacted, on more than one occasion, by citizens complaining about how Commissioner Kelly has lashed out to fellow Commissioners when they did not vote on things that she wanted to pass.

One big concern we have is what we consider vindictive behavior on the part of Commissioner Kelly. She appears to engage in retaliatory behavior when one of her fellow Commissioners disagrees with her or voices an opinion not in line with what she believes. She has voiced strong statements that she would “destroy your career” when a fellow Commissioner took issue with her.

We expect much more from our Commissioner President and find that we can no longer remain silent on these issues. In addition, on more than one occasion, Commissioner Kelly has made disparaging remarks about two (2) of her fellow Commissioners and this is of grave concern for the Charles County NAACP. Her remark to Commissioner Davis about where she attended Law school, referring to it as a “Mickey Mouse” institution is appalling and unprofessional to say the least. In addition, it shows a lack of respect for a fellow Commissioner. We perceive this disparate treatment as leaning towards a type of racism and a divide and conquer mentality on the part of Commissioner Kelly.

Her seeming comfort level in attacking the two (2) African American Commissioners is troubling to the Charles County NAACP. Her behavior has given license for many of her supporters to attack these two Commissioners as well. This type of behavior sets the stage for potential negative impacts on the African American community as a whole.

The recent three to two vote on Resolution 2012-18 brought forward many attacks on Commissioners Collins and Davis, yet the attacks toward Commissioner Rucci who voted with them are almost non-existent. There were very few attacks directed towards Commissioner Rucci when he voted with Collins and Davis on the use of the County SUV’s or the recent passing of Resolution 2012-18. Yet, Commissioners Davis and Collins are constantly being attacked and berated on social media. This gives way to perceptions that race may be a factor in who is being attacked.

These attacks are ongoing even in light of the recent article in the Maryland Independent by Commissioner Rucci stating the reasons that he voted in support of Resolution 2012-18. Yet, many supporters of Commissioner President Kelly have chosen not to even address Commissioner Rucci’s recent Letter to the Editor but continue to attack Davis and Collins. We firmly believe that the intent of the Resolution is merely to ensure that the Commissioner President makes decisions that have been vetted with her fellow Commissioners, and that the President not speak, testify or correspond on behalf of the other Commissioners without approval of the majority. We feel that this is entirely reasonable and what any effective Board would ask of their President.

We believe that a “house divided will not prosper” and we would like to see more “Unity in the Community” The citizens of Charles County deserve so much more!



Sincerely,
Janice Wilson Acting President