Interim mayor updates Town Council members on EDA, election, citizen committee

Matthew Tederick, updates Town Council members on his suggestion to dissolve the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA),

FRONT ROYAL — Matthew Tederick, interim mayor for the Town of Front Royal, on Monday updated Town Council members on his suggestion to dissolve the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA), asked them to consider who they would want to select for an ad hoc citizens commission, and again said he wouldn’t be running in November to fill the mayor slot.

“Once again, I’d like to go on the record, I’m not in any position to say today that it absolutely should be dissolved,” Tederick said, referring to the EDA. “I don’t believe we have enough information on that matter. But I do believe that we need to have that discussion.”

The EDA Board of Directors currently is embroiled in a financial fiasco in which two former EDA staff — Executive Director Jennifer McDonald and Administrative Assistant Michelle “Missy” Henry — each remain jail on multiple felony counts for their alleged involvement in the misappropriation or embezzlement of some $21 million in EDA assets.

During the July 18 Town-County Liaison Meeting, Tederick broached the possibility of the Town government unilaterally dissolving the EDA and taking half of its assets in a 50/50 split with the County.

The outcome, he said, is that “we agreed in principle to have a joint meeting between the Town and County government.”

Toward that goal, Tederick has requested that Town Clerk of Council Jennifer Berry coordinate with Emily Mounce, deputy clerk to the Warren County Board of Supervisors, to find a convenient date.

At the joint meeting, he said participants could “at least start the dialogue about such a decision and its possible ramifications.”

“I’m sure it’s going to take some legal research from the County,” added Tederick during the council meeting.

The Royal Examiner approached new EDA Executive Director Doug Parsons about his reaction to Tederick’s suggestion that the Town dissolve the EDA.

“If dissolution of the EDA is something the Town wants to explore, that’s not in my control,” Parsons said. “I’m really trying to stay focused on doing the job that I was hired to do. And a lot of this other stuff I don’t have any control over. So, if I sit around and fret about it, then it’s distracting me from the job.”

Nevertheless, Parsons noted that he hopes the EDA will be allowed to continue to operate. “It’s hard to do when you’re in the middle of it, but I’m hoping that people cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater,” he told the Royal Examiner.

But Parsons also said that he’s looked at the Town Code a little bit. “I think from my discussions with other attorneys and as I read the code, you can’t dissolve an EDA … until all their debt is paid — we’re pretty far from that,” he said.

EDA director addresses Town lawsuit amendments & dissolution threats

Another topic Tederick addressed during the Town Council meeting was the potential appointment of a citizen commission to investigate local government — the County government, the Town
Council, and the EDA, which he said is a quasi-government entity.

Tederick told council members that during the liaison meeting, he and Warren County Board of Supervisors Chairman Daniel Murray discussed forming such a commission “and I think it was fairly well received.”

He added that the nuances of such a commission will be determined, perhaps during the joint Town-County meeting.

“In concept, for me personally, I have the ability as mayor to appoint an ad hoc committee, but I prefer to get your input as council members as far as the individuals you think would be good to serve on a commission,” Tederick said. “I have no idea if it’s going to be five individuals or seven individuals — if I had a preference today, I would say five people. If I had a preference, I would suggest that the Town Council select two, the Board of Supervisors select two, and then the four of them select one.”

The interim mayor asked council members to think about selecting citizens who they think would serve in an impartial manner and would roll up their sleeves to uncover the issues and devise solutions. He asked them to send him their names, which he wouldn’t publicly disclose.

“Also, think about what the mission should be” for this citizen commission, he added. “This could be fleshed out at a joint meeting, as well. We’re at a very preliminary stage right now.”

In general, Tederick reported that he thought the liaison meeting was productive. “It was perhaps a little bit more contentious than their meetings have been in the past, but I think that’s healthy,” he said.

The third item Tederick reported on regarded his position.

“Many citizens have contacted me about running for mayor; I’m privileged to serve as the interim mayor and I plan to work closely with you to get a lot of work done,” he said, “but I have no intention of running for mayor.

“I have other business interests that are going to take me away for several months next year and it wouldn’t be fair to the citizens,” said Tederick. “I will not rule it out in the future, but I wanted to make a public statement tonight that I will not be seeking that office.”

But during public comments, a potential Town Council challenger emerged Monday night.

Front Royal resident Paul Gabbert announced that he’s collecting signatures to add his name to the special elections ballot in November. “I hope I can come up with them,” he said. “I think I could be a voice for the people.”

Retired since 2005, Gabbert told council members that he’s “willing to put my time in” to help support what the citizens want and need.

Watch the Town Council meeting video in this related story:

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