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Residents call for independent review of mayor; mayor says he will provide documentation
Summary
Multiple residents and service providers raised allegations about the mayor and city administration during public comment and urged an independent review; Mayor Patrick Haley responded that he is willing to present documentation and supports due process.
Wilmington — A string of public commenters at Thursday’s Wilmington City Council meeting urged the council to investigate alleged misconduct by city administration and requested independent review, while some speakers urged due process for the mayor.
Residents and local service providers spoke during the public comment period. Elaine Silverstrom, of 71 Rita Place, asked for “some form of independent review board” and said Mayor Haley could take administrative leave; she said public trust “once lost, it’s hard to regain.”
Jason Stoops, who identified himself as a local business owner, said a prior legal dispute involving his business remains unresolved and urged “further review and possible investigation by a neutral outside agency.” He cited a pattern of actions he described as targeting nonprofits and employees and referenced an arbitrator’s remark about standards for public officials.
Kelsey Swindler, who said she participated in a community event with Sugar Tree Ministries, called the allegations raised about the ministry “concerning” and urged council to “take these allegations seriously and support further investigation.” Several other commenters, including Chuck Watts and Nick McCabe, urged both compassion and due process.
Mayor Patrick Haley addressed the chamber later in the meeting. He said he was “a little shocked” by the allegations and repeatedly offered to provide documentation to answer questions. He told council he is willing to “bring the documentation forward with full explanations and I think that we'll answer some questions or doubt people might have.” Haley also said he did not intend to violate confidential matters but wanted a forum to present records.
Service Director Don Crow addressed specific claims raised in public comment about a temporary shelter at 30 South Lincoln Street and a zoning dispute raised by a business owner. Crow said city staff revoked and then returned the certificate of occupancy after Warren County completed its investigation and that he and the shelter operator had “continued to have good conversations” about the building’s future. Crow said the affected business can pursue administrative appeals or variances under the zoning code.
Speakers made a mix of calls: some demanded independent, outside inquiry; others emphasized due process and the presumption of innocence. Council took no immediate investigative vote during the meeting; later in the agenda council voted to authorize outside legal counsel (Resolution 25-25).
