SALISBURY, Md.- At Monday night's closed session, Salisbury City Attorney Paul Wilber was officially removed, and the firm of Seidel, Baker & Tilghman was recommended as Salisbury's new solicitor.
It is an issue that has officials deeply divided in Salisbury. In a work session last month, three City Council members came to a consensus that after 14 years, Wilber be removed from his duties.
Some council members told WBOC that they were not happy with how the situation was handled.
On the one hand, Council President Terry Cohen, along with council members Deborah Campbell and Tim Spies, argued that Wilber's job performance has failed to live up to expectations.
On the other hand, Councilwomen Eugenie Shields and Laura Mitchell said the city acted prematurely on Wilber's removal and are calling the decision into question.
It was at a Jan. 13 work session that the council majority came to a consensus to remove Wilber.
According to council members Cohen, Campbell and Spies, the long-term relationship was no longer working.
Among their complaints, as outlined in a letter sent to the City Attorney last month, they said Wilber took too long on important decisions and gave inconsistent advice.
But according to Councilwoman Mitchell, those council members jumped the gun.
Among their complaints, as outlined in a letter sent to the City Attorney last month, they said Wilber took too long on important decisions and gave inconsistent advice.
But according to Councilwoman Mitchell, those council members jumped the gun.
"Sending a letter out to the City Solicitor or taking any action on behalf of the council after a consensus at that work session was improper and premature," she said. "The City Attorney serves at the discretion of the majority of the City Council. That would require a vote to make any change and votes can only be done in legislative session."
The agenda for Monday night's council meeting clearly stated, among the list of resolutions, "appointing the City Solicitor and the Assistant City Solicitor."
Cohen, Campbell and Spies want to put Wilber in the assistant spot, appointing two local firms to replace Wilber.
Again, Councilwoman Mitchell takes issue with the trio's plan.
"I have documentation of a long-standing professional and personal relationship between the Council Vice President and one of the attorneys... several of the attorneys... at that firm. Given that they have donated to their campaigns and have an ongoing, at least eight year relationship between them, it just doesn't have a very good appearance for the city."
On Monday, Wilber said he was not interested in the demotion.
This all comes less than two months after oversight of the city attorney was transferred from the mayor to the council.
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