Havre de Grace council accepts charging documents to open hearing on planning commission member

Havre de Grace — The Havre de Grace Mayor and City Council voted 6-0 on Sept. 15 to accept charging documents and schedule a hearing concerning a member of the city Planning Commission, Mayor Martin said during the meeting.

The action authorizes a formal hearing process; the council president, Council president Ringstalker, moved to accept the documents and the motion was seconded by Council member Schneggis. The motion carried with a roll-call vote of six in the affirmative.

Supporters of the planning commissioner urged the council to delay or reject the step. Carol Zimmerman, who gave her address as 211 Seneca Way, Unit B, told the council she had emailed materials to members and urged them to “vote no, or to table the item.” Zimmerman said the commissioner is a volunteer who has devoted “innumerable unpaid hours” to the city and warned that removing a volunteer could discourage public participation.

Resident David Spahn of 606 Peace Chance Drive told the council that many community members are “really concerned” about the potential removal and that not much information has been publicly released. “I hope you take it very seriously, and I hope you vote no on it,” he said.

Council members and the council president emphasized that accepting the charging documents does not itself remove the commissioner. The council president said the vote is to permit a hearing so the accused party has a fair opportunity to respond.

No date for the hearing was announced during the meeting.

Ending: The council’s acceptance of the charging documents begins a formal process that will include a hearing; proponents and critics said the decision has broader implications for volunteer civic participation if the proceedings lead to removal.