SALISBURY, Md.- The dust is not settled on Harmon Field in Salisbury.
Earlier this month, the Wicomico County Council passed funding for new pickleball courts at Harmon Field. But before the council could vote on the funding, council President Larry Dodd sent an email in September to the Maryland Board of Public Works in Annapolis, asking the board to "postpone" sending $700,000 to Wicomico County to help fund the county's pickleball court project- without letting the council know. Councilman John Cannon says the action was shocking.
"It shocks me when I see council members, especially a president Mr. Dodd, who literally goes to the state of Maryland unilaterally and undermines this county council, undermines the citizens of Wicomico County and the county executive's office and tells them, do not send us that $700,000," said Cannon.
On Tuesday, Bill Chambers, executive directo of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce asked the council to elect a different council president on Dec. 7.
"For the council president to send a letter without the consent of the council to the board of public works in Annapolis asking them to withdraw the $700,000 grant which is not match no county money is involved in this- it's beyond pale. It's disgusting leadership is what it is," said Chambers. "We look like clowns in Annapolis, frankly."
Dodd declined an interview with WBOC but told WBOC his email to the Board of Public Works asked to put the funding on a pause- not a cancellation.
