The Commonwealth Iconoclast: Elkton’s Printz puts on a show for the media, again….

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Elkton’s Printz puts on a show for the media, again….

The Town of Elkton made headlines in the Daily News Record this morning, again! You might recall a previous post in which I documented some of the recent controversies that have unfolded in this small Town (population 2,800) located in the eastern part of Rockingham County. According to the piece in the News Record the current mayor, Wayne “Little Richard Daley” Printz, used his regal authority to call a special meeting of the Town Council in order to have a public hearing to discuss the town charter, electric rates, and expenditures.

Call me crazy, but these issues hardly sound pressing enough to warrant a special emergency meeting of the Town Council. I could see where a special meeting might be warranted in order to make an emergency allocation of funds for a major unanticipated public works project, or something of that nature. But to discuss potential changes in the town charter, electric rates, and expenditures? Huh?

It’s no secret that Mayor Printz is upset that several members of the Town Council have floated the idea that they’d like to do away with a directly elected Mayor, and instead have the Mayor be chosen from one of the sitting members of the Town Council. Translation: A majority Elkton’s Town Council members are tired of Mr. Printz’s antics. It appears that Mr. Printz would prefer that he run the day to day operations of the town, instead of a professional Town Manager, and this is evident in the fact that Mr. Printz always seems to be at odds with whoever is the Town Manager at any given time.

But the problem for Mr. Printz is that there isn’t a single Town in the Commonwealth in which the Mayor runs the day to day affairs of a Town. The only exceptions to this rule (that the Mayor does not run the day to day operations of a Town) are in Towns that have extremely small populations (see Mt. Crawford, population 250). Also important to note, Elkton’s proposed charter changes introduced by Delegate Landes in the General Assembly (HB 1188) does not remove or change language about the direct election of the Mayor in the Town. So why is Mayor Printz calling a special meeting of the Town Council to discuss changes to the town charter?

As I have previously mentioned, I don’t have an opinion in regards to how Elkton should elect its Mayor. That’s an issue for the citizens of the Town to decide. If they are happy with a directly elected Mayor, and it happens to be Mr. Printz, then great. But what I do find funny is Mr. Printz’s incessant opining to the media. I tend to believe that had all of the five missing Council members chose to attend last night, but the media didn’t attend, Mr. Printz just might have cancelled the emergency meeting.

70 Comments:

At 1/26/2006 12:47 PM, Anonymous said…

Finally someone sees through all the smoke and mirrors. The main reason for the "emergency" meeting was that one of the Mayor's friends had his electric cut off and the Mayor tried to get the Staff to accept less than he owed and to turn the electric back on. When the Staff said no to this illegal request the Mayor fumed all weekend and then called a meeting. It is election time so be prepared for more grand standing. During all of his rantings about the Charter the Mayor has not focused on "the good of the Town" but wants he just wants "POWER". Stay tuned.
At 1/26/2006 1:03 PM, Will Vaught said…

Geez, if what you say is indeed ture (which sounds "par for the course") then I completely understand why Printz chose to have an emergency meeting! Does the town have authority to change/accept payment for an elecric bill?

I know very little about Elkton, but this does indeed sound like a case of cheap poltical grandstanding...
At 1/26/2006 2:35 PM, Anonymous said…

Sometime back,you were wondering about the relative merits of electing the mayor at large or having the council chose a mayor from their own ranks. In my opinion, the town would more likely get a higher degree of accountability if the mayor is elected at large by all the citizen voters. I guess this doesn't really explain the Elkton mayor, but maybe he was seen as better than the other choices the last time. Or maybe there were no other choices the last time. At any rate, the voters probably won't put up with questionable behavior by the mayor in the next election. Or maybe they will if they really don't care about what their local government officials do. It can happen!
At 1/26/2006 2:47 PM, Will Vaught said…

This was posted by an anonymous poster the last time I disussed the topic of the Town of Elkton, I copied it because it a very good and insightful post:

Elkton should be ashamed of itself and how unprofessional it behaves.
The mayor has serious power issues. Just last year the town attempted to have it's charter amended to allow the Town Manager to have general administrative authority over the police department, for what ever reason the p.d. had been under the purview of the mayor. Printz went all the way to Richmond to fight this, and won. Shouldn't the manager be given power to run the day-to-day operations?

Mayors elected at large are not uncommon in Virginia's municipal system. There are advantages to both forms, but in reality Printz along with other mayors whether appointed internally or elected at large function as figure heads for the community and individuals who maintain order in public meetings. As far as running the day to day operations those town's with managers that are given autonomy to do their jobs function wonderfully those with busy body mayors like Printz perform like.... well Elkton

Speaking of the manager, look a little closer into his history, he was a former town manager in a town called Bowling Green in Caroline County, VA, but before that he was a council member NOT a trained public administrator who was appointed during a vacancy in the manager's position. That may be part of the current conflict. He may be trying to be the eighth council member.

There’s lots idiotic moves Elkton has made, but in one simple phrase its a lack of professionalism in the entire community always has and probably always will.
At 1/26/2006 9:11 PM, Anonymous said…

It's pretty clear that none of the experts on this blog have any clue what's really going on in Elkton.

The fight in Elkton is over power, but it's not the mayor who's trying to grab it. The mayor is trying vainly to protect the interests of the actual citizens of the town, the vast majority of whom don't want their town population tripled by developers who are holding out the promise of a golf course as a profit center for Elkton (just like Harrisonburg's is!) Randall Snow of the Town Council is leading a movement to emasculate the mayor because he's not a puffball who gets off on the idea of a quick circuit of the back nine.

The Angler people have taken the Elkton Council for a ride. Some of the members would sell their mothers if only they could get a private golf course. Others see 1400 houses to be drywalled and floored, which constitutes a direct conflict of interest for them. Angler's Washington DC lawyers have had a field day with the rubes on the Elkton Council.

The town manager got himself fired from Bowling Green, and the police chief who allied with him was repremanded by Bowling Green about the same time and then resigned, only to turn up as the stealth undercover cop, and after he's outed, miraculously we find that a town of 2,800 people, more than half of them elderly, need a full time detective on the job.

The perception problem is made worse by the DNR reporters, none of whom really know what's going on beneath the surface of any of the towns they cover, because they don't live there, most of them don't know the bad actors from the good ones, and they don't have the resources or the time to learn.

I've been watching things unfold in Elkton for most of my life and, despite the bad press, wouldn't live anywhere else. As Phillips and Glick sing, "We're from Elkton, and we love our town."
At 1/26/2006 11:38 PM, Will Vaught said…

Your post was excellent, and thank you for your insight! Please help me (and anyone else who is interested) to understand th full scope of this issue.

The Town of Elkton, obviously has control over its own land use use (remember Rockingham County's BOS and School board wasn't thrilled about 1400 homes approved in Angler within the Town) , and (as I have documented in Prince Edward County) land use decisions, which have the majority support of the board/council aren't neccessarily the true "will of the people", maybe Printz is using his "bully pulpit" to challange his pro-growth-at-all-cost constituents... )

Regardless, the problems of the town, extends beyond this current "situation", which you claim is (more or less) the direct result of development pressures, (see previous post regarding Elkton), also that's why I included the "issues" that the current town manager has had in the past. Which only makes this whole issue more bizarre..

It appears that none of the "players" involed in Elkton are without past controversies, fair enough?

Regarless, I honestly don't believe that there is any other way to interperet Printz's constant attention grabing, but potentially the constant media attention is what Printz wants in order to take his rivals "to task" (why else would he call an emergency meeting?) but after a while (as in the case Prince Edward) you have to put up a good fight, and then "let the chips" fall where they may, and live to fight another day. And if indeed Printz is in the right on these issues, he will be clearly vindicated come this May.

Otherwise he takes the chance of looking like a fool, and I don't think it's becasue the DNR wants it that way either...fair enough?

Thanks again for your insight..
At 1/27/2006 8:20 AM, Anonymous said…

You're too nice Will. It is what it is, Mr. Printz making another silly power grab, nothing more, and using an "emergency meeting" for a little dog-and-pony show for his own perceived benefit.

If you read yesterday's story in the DNR, you will read that Mr. Printz even brought his own personal attorney to the meeting the other night, and the post above almost sounded as if it were written by him.

As you pointed out, it is no secret that Printz wants to be the undisputed king of the hill in Elkton, in other words he too wants to be the Town's manager, but the only problem is that the Town is required to have a full-time manager. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the genesis of this recent controvery did indeed come from Mr. Pritz wanting an electric bill for one of his friends taken care of, sound about right to me.

In regards to development, suggesting that Mr. Printz is a modern day Robin Hood, and is trying to protect the poor citizens of Elton from the encroachment from evil development is absolutely ridiculous, funny!

If anything, Printz is likely in opposition to the Angler deal, because he can't make any money off of it, and if the self-anointed King of Elkton can't make any money, then no one can.

Sorry we know Printz, and we've seen this behavior many times before.
At 1/27/2006 11:14 AM, Will Vaught said…

I think a little bit of diplomacy, and less public hostility would benefit all parties in Elkton, but it appears this (highly visible fueds, name calling, grandstanding, and so forth) is the way in disagreements are settled in Elkton...
At 1/27/2006 11:31 AM, Anonymous said…

Will, stop acting so superior. Sometimes the "low road" is necessary because all the pussyfootin' on the high road gets too crowded and phony. Elkton is a better community because we are not ashamed to let our differences be known. However, we do rally and come together in the end when it counts. We are the best town in Rockingham County, if not the entire state, because we do allow an open forum in our town and we encourage debate. Can you just imagine all the mudslinging, discontent, backroom politics, and any other negative term you can apply when you side is not winning, before we arrived at a radifible Constitution? Please, grow up and enjoy our journey - which we are proud to share with you. If only every community was as open as Elkton...
At 1/27/2006 11:52 AM, Will Vaught said…

Though I suspect that your being a bit sarcastic in your comments, it appears that the "low road" is the only road that leads through Elkton, and if the folks in Elkton tolerate/celebrate this, then super!

plus it makes great blog fodder too!

But remember with those 1,400 new homes scheduled to be built in Elkton, you might just attrat a new group of citizens (from other places) who find all these public fiascos to be juvenile, and trite. Who knows, they might even expect for their elected offials to behave in a civil and dignified manner? call me crazy, but it could even happen in Elkton!
At 1/27/2006 1:03 PM, Anonymous said…

Printz voted in favor of the Town acquiring the property where the golf coruse and housing development is being located. So much for Printz being anti-development! Try again!
At 1/27/2006 1:34 PM, Anonymous said…

Will, Will, Will. Ok, you are dense AND CRAZY. You underestimate us. It will not take us long to train the influx from NOVA and elsewhere. Hey, perhaps they will not like us and won't stay long. I wish I could continue to spar with you, but I must go campaign to re-elect Mayor Wayne Printz. Bye, bye. Hope you live long and prosper in your blog life. What a pitiful way to spend your days. Have you tried therapy? By the way, this connection has been eliminated.
At 1/27/2006 2:05 PM, Anonymous said…

Although Mayor Printz may have his faults and his own agendas from time to time, so do the majority of the six councilmen sitting at the table. What a wonderful thing to think in politics everyone would agree on every subject (get real!). Politics will always be full of debates and disagreements. Take it from someone who attends these meetings-the blame is not entirely with the Mayor. The Town Manager has demonstrated a full power play from day one of his employment. Citizens are looked at with contempt for attempting to obtain answers or even speaking out in disagreement or concern for the issues. An open display of arrogance reigns supreme among the sitting councilmen. We are often met with sneers, rolling eyes, giggles and and total disgust because we are in the audience and have the audicity to question where our tax dollars are being spent. Someone commented earlier that the Town Manager believes he is the 8th councilman and I believe this to be true. This guy is an expert at playing politics and when it doesn't go his way-he screams foul and threatens a lawsuit. Of course, no sitting councilman had the courage to stand up and say, "take a seat-you're out of order". It was like watching six little boys listening to Father Knows Best. Is it any wonder why the Mayor or anyone else may become frustrated. There's a power play going on, but it's not just the Mayor involved. Vice Mayor Snow is just as guilty and promotes the arrogance often seen toward the citizens. May is just around the corner..Mr. Snow and some of the other councilmen may find the citizens will dare to have a different opinion and send some of you packing. Hopefully, you will take the Town Manager with you!
At 1/27/2006 2:15 PM, Anonymous said…

The bottom line here is about power! Printz obviously feels the need to feel superior, to overcompensate.... He should feel pretty good, How many people can be suspended from their job twice and somehow keep it? Here is a person who is not even from the Town of Elkton, he has no roots, his act is that he cares, blah blah blah, he only cares about himself. He's somehow worked his way into the grey haired old ladies club to get an endorsement, pretty smooth there Wayne. They aren't too smart are they? I believe the council is trying to manage growth as best it can, if they don't take these measures Elkton will be taken over in the very near future by unwanted growth. Whoever you are that is anti-Angler, and has all the knowledge..keep yourslf up in NOVA or wherever you are and quit spoutin off, no one cares to hear your opinions anymore, you just like to stir the pot. Hopefully the constituents of Elkton will one day wake up and realize the ride ole blondie has taken them on. Come on people, He's a yankee!
At 1/27/2006 2:30 PM, Anonymous said…

Did you ever think that if you people in the audience acted like you had some form of formal education and common sense that your comments would not be greated with sneers or rolling eyes? You need to be educated on the issues at hand if that's possible, not what you've heard, do a little research. Perhaps your one of those that like the fact that your town is becoming THE laughing stock within the state, Ignorance is fueling this downward spiral. Your post only validates my point!
Perhaps it is time for some to go, but remember, just because people don't agree with your viewpoint doesn't mean they aren't trying to do what's best for the Town!
At 1/27/2006 2:40 PM, Will Vaught said…

I'll respond to the following questions/statements:

Will, Will, Will. Ok, you are dense AND CRAZY. You underestimate us. It will not take us long to train the influx from NOVA and elsewhere.

- So you plan on training the influx of NOVA refugees on how to act like hostile, disguntled Elkton folks, Ok, good luck. I'm starting to think its an inherited trait.

What a pitiful way to spend your days.

- The more I keep talking about Elkton, the more I will have to agree with you on this one.

What a wonderful thing to think in politics everyone would agree on every subject (get real!).

- I don't think that everyone has to agree, but I think everyone can act like "big girls and boys". Good examples of local government bodies which appear to conduct their business in a civil manner, even when they disagree: Bridgewater, Broadway, Dayton, Grottoes, Timberville, Harrisonburg, Rockingham...

The Town Manager has demonstrated a full power play from day one of his employment....Someone commented earlier that the Town Manager believes he is the 8th councilman and I believe this to be true.

- Makes sense that a former politician would try to act like a politician.

Citizens are looked at with contempt for attempting to obtain answers or even speaking out in disagreement or concern for the issues. An open display of arrogance reigns supreme among the sitting councilmen. We are often met with sneers, rolling eyes, giggles and and total disgust because we are in the audience and have the audicity to question where our tax dollars are being spent.

- See my previous post concerning Prince Edward County, same there too.
At 1/27/2006 3:15 PM, Anonymous said…

To anonymous who said maybe if the people in the audience had displayed a formal education and common sense, maybe they wouldn't be sneered at...This is just the arrogance about which I am speaking. For your information, I do have a formal education, excellent common sense, and have been involved in many of these issues directly. Education is not the problem here-it's lack of respect for the people who elect officials in the first place. Let's face it-respect works both ways. I do show respect in my comments to the council and I certainly do not feel sneers are justified or is it an appropriate way for officials or town employees to conduct business with the public.
At 1/27/2006 3:23 PM, Anonymous said…

Oh, and by the way...Do the uneducated people deserve any less than the highly educated from our public officials? Aren't these officials there to represent all? I thought we lived in America where everyone has the same rights.
At 1/27/2006 3:56 PM, Anonymous said…

I see we have a lot of Anonymous residents that are afraid to let everyone know where they stand by giving their name. I am not one of them I am the Town Manager, Dennis Donachy, everyone is talking about. When I was a Council Member I was Full Time National Guard. I was a Brigade Level Logistics Officer concerned with feeding, equipping and clothing over 3,000 troops. In all of my jobs I have been in Administration/Management, and been very successful, so the guestion of my ability can be put aside. I was not appointed to the Town Manager position of Bowling Green I was interviewed and hired. When I was hired in Elkton one of my first jobs was to help the Mayor to get the contracts with Angler signed. Many times he sat in my office talking to "his" contact at Angler trying to get the deal done. What happen is that after the first deal I brought to the attention of the Town and County that they should get proffers. If you take the time to read what we have received in proffers you can decide for yourself if I made a mistake or not. The Mayor is only upset because I was able to get what he did not have time to get nor did he think of the idea.
At 1/27/2006 4:36 PM, Anonymous said…

A question to Dennis.
If you have been very successful at all of your jobs in management, why were you fired from your town manager's job in Bowling Green?

And did you notify the town that when you hired the undercover police officer, that he had been reprimanded at the same time you had been fired?

Can we also expect to have the town treasuer from Bowling Green (Kathryn McVay), who was also reprimanded at the same meeting, suddenly appear on the town payroll? Maybe as an undercover Auditor/Inspector with a big salary in the treasurer's office?

And after you so "professionally" berated the Mayor in public session and at the same time threatened the public that you would bring charges of slander against anyone who made any public comments about you, you're suprised nobody wants to post their name?

I'll sign myself "Anonymous 8."
At 1/27/2006 4:45 PM, Will Vaught said…

Thanks for the post Mr. Donachy. When I orginally made this post, it was (obvioulsy) ment to lampoon Mayor Printz for making (what appeared to me anyhow) a very public issue out of a silly ordeal (the "emergency" meeting)..then of course lots of other details/subjects (including you) followed.

I will be frank with you, it is a bit odd that (if true) a former Council person -as one poster claimed you were in BG - to become the Town Manager. But as you stated, you applied and were hired. fair enough...

But now you obviously find yourself in a hyper charged poltical atmosphere, and unfortunatley it appears that you too have had to take sides. From what I've read (and heard) Mr. Pritz would rather he run the town, so I guess it is safe to assume he "had it out for you" from the first day. And as it was pointed out yesterday, Printz last year even took the issue of not wanting the town's charter to be changed (so he would loose direct control of the chief of police) to the GA, and was successful..once again, a very usual arrangement for a Mayor to have direct control over the Chief of Police, if indeed this is correct.

It's unfortunate that all of these matters are "played out" in such a public manner. As someone pointed out to me a few weeks ago, an effective and well managed local government is one in that usually "stays benind the scenes", and is rarely heard from. Obviously this isn't the case in Elkton, and that's not to suggest that it's the Town Manager's fault. Elkton appeared to have many problems before you arrived, and will likely continue.

I do wish all parties involved this issue(s) the best of luck, but it appears I opened a "can of worms" on this issue. Maybe this forum can help increase some level of understanding, but probably not. Fighting is much more exiciting than diplomacy! After all isn't that the Elkton way?
At 1/27/2006 8:03 PM, Anonymous said…

To Anonymous 8. You have done a lot of homework on me. Too bad you did not go further and get all the info. Ask the Town of Bowling Green why they terminated me and they will tell you they can't answer due to possible litigation. Apparently there was something not 100% legal about my termination. They never gave me a reason so I am sorry I can't answer your question. Why don't you ask why the Mayor was let go or suspended by Merck on three seperate occassions? Could it be from misconduct? I quess since you will not sign your name and you are so worried about other peoples past you must be perfect and don't have anything in your past that you can't explain.
As far as berating the Mayor all I did was read what he had written in the paper many times about me. Things that were slandersous and in most cases just plain lies. Why is he considered "professional" when he does everything he can to ruin my integrity and I did not lie or bring false aligations against him and I am the one called "unprofessional". I know the answer but I am too professional to put it in print.
And by the way, I did not threaten the public. I was talking to the Mayor when I said that any future slanderous comments or false aligations would be dealt with in the "appropriate manner". Also you must not have been there because I also ask for an investigation and an audit to show what is really going on in Elkton. I am not afraid of the truth. I welcome a dialog with you at anytime, anywhere if you are willing to listen with an open mind in what I think is going on. Listen to my side , then form an opinion.
At 1/27/2006 10:29 PM, Anonymous said…

TO anonymous 3:15 and 3:23. SO your educated and have very good common sense? I find that very hard to believe based on your stance for Mayor Printz. You should stand above those in the town meetings and be an example to the beligerent idiots that would argue with a post! People may not like some on the council because they tell it like it is, not what others want to hear. You maybe have two or three people that have the experience to run a town gov't. The others are pawns in someone elses chess game. They are probably told by the grey haired ladies convention how to think, how to vote, they have no experience and very little sense to be contributing players. Maybe the sneers and eye rolling are frustration, did you and the other court jesters ever think there are people trying to do what is right and they are geting blocked and grandstanded by ole yeller and the old ladies PAC. Wake up! use your good common sense, you've got a couple of people holding things together and ironically those are the ones you want to run out of office. Yep, you've got good common sense thats for sure.
At 1/27/2006 10:39 PM, Anonymous said…

Oh yeah, and about your comments on living in America where everyone has the same rights. Ideally yes, in reality, hardly! I can't believe you played that card, That sounds like a campaign add. The council is there to do what is in the best interest of the town, that may not always be the most popular decision! you should already know this, being of good common sense.
At 1/27/2006 10:46 PM, Anonymous said…

if you could write an article so untrue you have obvioiusly never spoken to a citizen in elkton or attended a town meeting. this whole controversy is over a town manager developing elkton and wasting all of it's money and it is not the mayor who is concerned about power. most of the conflict comes from the five year old councilmen who try to anger printz at all meetings just to make a scene. maybe you should stop writing articles when you have NO FACTS. the town of elkton elected printz so obviously they want him running the town. last time i checked citizens did have a say in their government.
At 1/27/2006 11:09 PM, Anonymous said…

The mayor voted to develop the town dipstick! He participated in securing the deal! It's not the Town Manager! Obviously you have no facts and only biased opinions. Your so narrow minded you fail to realize you are on a bandwagon and nothing more. Do you think for yourself? Man, those old ladies in Elkton must have some kind of mind control going on, which would be very easy to accomplish based on the posts I see here.
At 1/27/2006 11:15 PM, Anonymous said…

do you even live in elkton? if not, why do you care? now, i have a real life so i'm not wasting time fighting with you on a blog.
At 1/27/2006 11:40 PM, Anonymous said…

whoa... name calling, huh? very mature. all opinions are biased. everyone is biased. you are too. old ladies in elkton? mind control? chill out. wayne printz is a decent guy who was elected by the people to serve as mayor. he doesn't deserve to be criticized by will vaught who seems to only know what he reads in the ever-reliable DNR, which, by the way, has enjoyed casting a negative shadow over elkton for years and years (way before wayne printz came along). yes, the town government is a mess. town council members and the mayor are on the verge of physical fights, but these problems existed long before wayne printz became mayor. and, judging by the nasty attitudes on this website, theyre not going to be resolved anytime soon. way to go, elkton! make us proud.
At 1/28/2006 9:25 AM, Will Vaught said…

I find it hard to believe the DNR is intentionally trying to cast the poor little town of Elkton in a bad light.

My orginal post was to chastise Mayor Printz for behavior (based on the story, and many other public incidents in elkton) in a immature fashion. As you know Rockingham has 6 other incorporated towns, and I'm sure they too have their contorversies, but hardly a scant is mentiond about this in the local media. Therfore, I think the idea that the DNR is just pikcing on Elkton is somewhat a paper thin arguement. Possible, I guess, but unlikely.

As I stated in the orginal post, if Elkton is happy with the Mayor and his behavior/antics, then great. It appears that Printz isn't the only elected official in Elton with issues. One poster even commented above that the Town's folks cherish their hostile nature, and it is a good way to solve problems..I guess.

It appears that I opended a sore, and it goes way beyond anything meaningful that I can contribute to this matter. So best of luck to everyone involved, regardless it sure is entertaining!
At 1/28/2006 9:45 AM, Will Vaught said…

Another thing:

Anyone who would like to contribute a piece for this blog in regards to this issue is welcome to e-mail what they would like posted. I can site the piece to your name, or to an anonymous source (which I will clearly state)

I only ask that your tone be civil, and your points be well reasoned. If you have any souces (for instance a past article from the DNR), please incled the full link of the article, and I will include it in the piece.

You can e-mail me a submission to this blog at commonwealthiconoclast@yahoo.com

WV
At 1/28/2006 8:25 PM, Anonymous said…

No comments on todays article in the DNR? I guess not, it proves that the decent Mayor is full of games and political grandstanding! But...I'm sure the people of Elkton will find a creative way make more excuses for the mayor. It appears that things are coming to light, the mayor is being revealed for what he is, a fake.
At 1/29/2006 1:07 PM, Anonymous said…

i'm a little confused here. how does this article prove anything? http://dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=2723&CHID=1

it's still a case of he says she says. wayne printz claims that he did not know for sure the town council members were not going to show up. why should we believe the council members over the mayor? THAT'S being narrow-minded. and what kind of respect are we supposed to have for council members who put a "countywide get-together" that they do not even have the correct date for before town affairs?

lastly and most importantly, why do YOU care? let the people of elkton be the people of elkton. and if you're not one of them, start worrying about your own local government, not ours.
At 1/29/2006 1:43 PM, Anonymous said…

While a great number of characteristics may be attributed to Wayne Printz, I hardly think "fake" makes the list. Finding another person to pin that title on, however, is not difficult when scanning the remainder of the Town Council panel. Mr. McDaniel comes to mind, with his conflict of interest regarding the Angler project. Or perhaps Mr. Snow, who claims he wants the best for Elkton, and convinces himself that means a mayor elected by the council rather than the people. Public outcry in response to the proposed revision of the mayorial election process makes it quite clear that Mr. Snow does not have Elkton's interests in mind.

Seeing the mayor's post elected by councilmen will be the end of an era; an era in which Elkton was the small town I loved acknowledging as my home, an era in which the citizens had a voice in their community. Wayne Printz wants to preserve that sense of community and I think it is unfair for him to be boxed into a corner and labeled as "fake," when in reality he seems to be the only part of the council truly considering Elkton's citizens.
At 1/29/2006 2:53 PM, Anonymous said…

This post is to help out the 11:40pm post who obviously doesn't know the meaning of the word decent.
You would think a decent guy with the many years experience that king printz has would have figured out how to run a public meeting by now. Here are a few questions about how a decent guy who says he loves the little town of Elkton behaves.Anybody can say anything , but their actions tell us what they'er really all about. Do decent people lie? Do decent people take care of their buddies instead of looking out for the overall good of their town? Do decent guys really care how much power they have? Do decent guys even want support from people who lie to the grey haired ladies club so they can be elected?
Just so there is no confusion. the answer to all the above questions is NO! A decent guy is honest, ethical, and lets you know exactly where he stands on issues. He does not copy the leader of his P.A.C. and talk out of both sides of his face.
At 1/29/2006 5:03 PM, Anonymous said…

1:43, you are the epitome of Elkton arent you? If you would know what you are talking about before trying to slight two councilmen, you would know that Mr. Snow had retracted his proposal and in Will's very first statement he even states that there is no language in the current charter proposals. Get that facts before you try and damage others.
At 1/29/2006 5:45 PM, Anonymous said…

to 5:03

So what about Clyde McDaniel and the 1400 houses he (possibly...no,probably) gets to drywall and floor? You didn't address that one.
At 1/29/2006 7:22 PM, Anonymous said…

5:45, The comment on Mr. McDaniel deserved no remarks, because your insinuation that he will get business on all 1400 homes is absolutly ludicris! Yes, he will get some business, it's called supply and demand, I'm sure some consumers will go elsewhere. Your comments are very typical of what we have all come to expect. Here is a tip for you and your Elkton friends. Get the facts before making comments, that way you may not look so unintelligent when you start arguments and then have everyone find out you have no real basis for this argument only your opinion, which shows that you really know nothing.
At 1/29/2006 7:29 PM, Anonymous said…

At least 1:43 and 5:45 can use appropriate spelling and correct grammar. Maybe, you hypocrites should stop insulting the intelligence of Elkton's citizens. Also, this has been questioned many times but why do you find Elkton's politics so intriguing? They are actually quite boring and do not involve anyone who is not a citizen of the town.
At 1/29/2006 9:16 PM, Anonymous said…

to 7:22

You admit that Clyde McDaniel will profit from this, and I'm an idiot to call it conflict of interest?

In my little section of Elkton, we call that illegal.

Maybe the town attorney Nathan Miller can give us an opinion.
At 1/29/2006 9:26 PM, Anonymous said…

7:22, you're my hero.
At 1/29/2006 10:33 PM, Anonymous said…

To all of you who think the "Elkton friends" are idiots, here are a few facts you should know:
1. The mayor of Elkton does not vote on town issues. He did not vote on the Angler Project, but did support the initial idea in which the town would make millions of dollars.
2. The town manager (not the mayor) made all negotiations after the vote by the council. Some of these negotiations were made in secrecy without the approval of the mayor and the council.
3. The negotiations that the town manager made will now cost the town of Elkton millions of dollars due to the waste treatment facility needing to be rebuilt. These costs will probably lead to a raise in taxes, which the council is now discussing.
4. Clyde McDaniel had a direct conflict of interest, but voted anyway. At a recent meeting he refused to vote on a donation for REFI because he is a member of REFI. If he knew that was a conflict of interest why didn't he realease he had a conflict of interest relating to Angler?
At 1/30/2006 9:32 AM, Anonymous said…

Reply to the 10:33pm post-I"m afraid that you did little to remove the idea that -you are an idiot- You dont use the word probably when you state a "fact". You also need to get your information from more than one source-this one sounds an awful lot like king printz. It would do you good to consult an attorney who could define the term conflict of interest for you.Finally-guess what- the town IS making millions off of the Angler deal, in spite of the meddling of the great negotiator- king printz. Only a true idiot would listen to one person and accept what he says as a fact.
At 1/30/2006 11:17 AM, Anonymous said…

To the 9:32 post, have you ever attended at town council meeting? I have and I know the facts and what goes on at them. And what Clyde McDaniel did is obviously a conflict of interest. Any moron can see that, so what does it say about you?
At 1/30/2006 11:29 AM, Will Vaught said…

I know this is a emotional issue, but for anyone posting please keep the insults to a minimum. Make your points, but try to avoid name calling.

Thanks - WV
At 1/31/2006 8:19 AM, Anonymous said…

That's pretty lame and irrelevant. A typo doesn't make someone an idiot. But pointing that out just shows how low you are and that you have no other arguments. In fact, you'd be perfect for the town council... if you're not already on it. Now that you've spend all this time anonymously insulting a bunch of college students through a blog, I think you may be ready for the real world. No wonder most college students don't vote. It seems some of the population has forgotten our first amendment rights. But, hey, as long as it makes you feel a little bigger.
At 1/31/2006 10:13 AM, Anonymous said…

Reading this mostly for amusement, but Annon 7:29 PM, a while back, suggested that Elkton's matters "do not involve anyone who is not a citizen of the town." This comment kind of bothers me as the writer seems to be 1) discouraging citizen interests in government in general and 2) advancing the idea of provincialism. Chances are Elkton affairs do have an impact on the surrounding county and region to some degree or another. Actually, good government (or bad government) is everybody's business! Thanks for letting me get this minor point off my chest. Ok,now the fighting can resume.
At 2/02/2006 10:07 AM, Anonymous said…

Reply-8:19 post-now that you've spend-wow! If you are really a college student, you had better get off the blogging and spend more time on keyboarding and grammar, you're never going to graduate.
-10:13- Provincialism- get real- the only impact that this crap has on the surrounding area is that it gives them an additional front page comic section in the DNR.
At 2/02/2006 10:02 PM, Anonymous said…

Let's see who has the better leadership abilities based on actual facts. Printz negotiated the first "golf course" deal and in the end Elkton got $0's for the waste treatment & water systems, schools and fire & rescue in addition to agreeing to give Angler 1/4 of the water-sewer hook-ups free.

The Town Manager recently negotiated with Angler to Elkton's benefit. In the end of this deal, Elkton will receive ~$11,000 per lot sold in addition to a new water system for Elkwood.

Bottom line is Elkton desperately needs a 40 hour per week manager. He is available to manage the town while others are not. The above example I think proves that.

There's a saying: "Lead by Example". Following this motto will settle lots of Elkton's dilemmas.

Additionally, I too am embarrassed at the tone and unprofessional way some of us in Elkton are acting in public and on this blog. It damages our community and we're better than that.
At 2/02/2006 10:27 PM, Anonymous said…

I agree with the last person commenting. Your leadership ability is reflected by your accomplishments, the way you achieve them and how well you communicate them to others. I too agree with the "Lead by Example" motto.

Not to start an argument, but to me the facts are clear. Five to Six of the Council and the Town Manager agree on most issues. How are six people wrong and "one" always right? The logic of this determination escapes normal thought. It's fair to say the "common denominator" in Elkton's woes is one person. He disagrees with everyone. First it was the last town manager, then the last police chief, then the current police chief, then the treasurer, then the vice mayor, then the current town manager, 5 of the councilmen, the town attorney and the rec director, but he's right and the rest are wrong. What's wrong with this logic??
At 2/03/2006 8:24 AM, Will Vaught said…

I will say, it is very possible for the majority (even a democratically elected body) to be in the wrong. but you points about Printz are well stated, after a while it makes you wonder, good post!
At 2/03/2006 8:34 AM, Anonymous said…

10:27 You are so correct! The logic is infallable! You make very good points, but remember not everyone has the ability to think logically as we are seeing represented by some of these posts. I would bet a lot that the election results will not convey any form of logic.
At 2/04/2006 5:58 PM, Anonymous said…

-I say Duke ole boy, you didn't only miss it , you couldn't make a good arguement even if you did have all the facts. The school site is for a three grade Elementery School,not a High School which the county should already be building. This offer of a school site solved a big already existing problem for the county.

-Don't worry about Elkton's culture it will adapt nicely to the influx of people even if they think like you do. We can only hope that they will take the time to be more correctly informed than you are and not make comments about subjects of which they know so little.
At 2/05/2006 8:46 AM, Anonymous said…

Anon 5:58
I can't seem to find what you are responding to.
At 2/06/2006 12:19 AM, Anonymous said…

That's because the webmaster of this site decided to censor what Duke posted. How progressive.......
At 2/06/2006 8:11 AM, Will Vaught said…

I haven't deleted a single post (by anyone) on this subject, so I'm not sure what you are talking about? All that I ask is that the tone be kept somwhats civil...
At 2/12/2006 2:47 AM, VICTORIA said…

Vickie
Why are all the folks blaming the mayor? It's true that he is only human as we all are and Yes He has made some mistakes But Hasnt the councilman also made a fair share of their own. The citizens of the town of Elkton have shouted out Loud they do not want this new charter NOW!! Why cant the Council Listen. Further more If the Mayor Whom ever it be Mr. Printz or whomever Is considered to be the Towns CEO Why couldnt the council of put in the newly revised charter Mr. Printz's wishes for Himself and any other Mayor in the futre tht The Council AND THE MAYOR... And it seems folks in here say Mr Printz is out for THE POWER I think not. Stop and think Are the council members really doing what the Citznes want? No the council and mayor and the citiznes will never 100% agree but they each need to stop and think Why and where and how they got to where they are. At many of the meeetings we here Mr. Pence and Mr snow say Take my seat vote me out. Well I have confidence In Mr Printz and feel He is a unique and real person with a heart for the towns people. Unlike many who think he is fake... No one is perfect.. yet It would also seem to me that Mr printz has so many fighting against him that usually sends a signal that He must be doing something right! The man is doing What little he can I feel that If we give him a chance and a little authority to do his job as CEO we can see some of the problems disapppear.thank u
At 2/21/2006 4:56 PM, Anonymous said…

Vickie-honey-What universe did you drop out of? You have a lot in common with king printz,if you think the forty bozo's led by H.C. represent what the citizens of Elkton want-then you are truly from another galaxy. How many times has the king printz pointed out that he is the CEO of the town? This whole mess is about nothing but his percieved power and the fact that he thinks he's losing something.The fact is that if king printz ever had an original idea that was good for the town as a whole-the town manager and the council would stand beside him- the truth behind most of his ideas is that he is trying to cater to some of his cronies who he hopes will vote for him. People see through his sweet fakeness and are ready for someone of real substance. I hope you can see from this post that there is no sympathy here for your poor abused CEO-you need to find a new hero!
At 2/23/2006 2:15 PM, Anonymous said…

I have never in my long life seen such viciousness in the blogs I am reading toward a decent human being, our Mayor Wayne Printz. How dare you unintelligent, uninformed people make such disparaging remarks about someone you do not know, and the care he has for the citizns of Elkton. The Mayor is not seeking power. Power and respect are synonomous with the Office of Mayor. Talk about power, you knickleheads who like to throw stones, look at our Town Councilmen and ask yourselves who desires the power more. Look at the Town Manager who thinks he has the power to lock our Mayor of his own office. To the jerk who makes fun of the gray-haired ladies; I have worked for more powerful, educated people than you will ever know. The people of Elkton know when they are being snowed by people who may be educated, but have no common sense. Now I'm seeing on the website that there are so many of you have such a vicious nature that you are blind to what is occurring in our town. To those who are calling our Mayor deragatory names, look to your own faults before you disparage our Mayor. He someone who is an excellent mayor, not a smug egotist, unlike most of our other town officials.

What's with the jerk who called our Mayor a "Little Richard Daley?" I'm from Chicago, and believe me, Elkton is not Chicago! Besides, Mayor Daley has always looked out for the people in Chicago, just as Mayor Printz has looked out for the people of Elkton. Visit Misericordia Home in Chicago, which was once a gray, drab Orphanage and is now a Home for the Handicapped, sponsored by Mayor Daley. Visit the Foundling Hospitals he has funded; the schools he sponsored. What do you know about all the good Mayor Daley has done? It just goes to show how pitiful and uninformed you are. By the way, I'm glad to be a gray haired old lady in Elkton. At least we are all informed, compassionate human beings who have experienced the comings and goings of Town Councilmen for many years. So many of you neophytes who only know how to demean and work against our Town and our Mayor, will never measure up to the decency and goodness of our gray haired ladies, who are looking out for our Town and the future of our children. (We also include the gray haired gentlemen of our town here.) God bless them all.

If you wonder why we send our E-Mails Anonomously, check the blog for all the nasty messsages posted here. We old folks are honored and proud to have Mayor Printz as our Mayor. We respect him and the Office he holds. Live with it.
At 2/23/2006 11:15 PM, Will Vaught said…

vicki, thank you for your post...i will be the first person to tell you, I will totally admitt that I DO NOT have the insight into this issue (Printz & elkton) to make an inform dicission..the comment that I made about Printz being a "little richard daily" was totally ill informed...maybe so? but i wouldn't know, this is why i've turned this degate over to others. if you would like to make a blog entry in regard to this subject e-mail me and I will post it...thanks again for your comments
At 2/24/2006 9:02 AM, Anonymous said…

Will, sometimes it is inevitable that we will say things we regret later. Your apology is well noted. In rereading the numerous blogs on the website, I am thoroughly mystified as to where all this hatred is coming from. Is it because Mayor Priintz is doing such a good job in trying to work with such a truculant Town Council? Do they have such a small mind-set that they only focus on the bad, and not the good? Making sport of old ladies gray hair, and rolling their eyes during Town Hall Meetings is so juvenile. These gray haired ladies have experienced a lifetime of joy and sorrow during their years of living in Elkton. To state that Mayor Printz called an "emergency meeting" because one of his friends had his electricity cut off, is the most asinine statement I have ever heard. Have you seen some of our residents electric bills? This was only one item to be discussed at this emergency meeting. I give enormous credit to Steve Sigafoose and Nathan Miller for having the respect and decency to make their presence known. Did you show up??? If not, how would you know what this meeting was all about. I thank God we have a Mayor who shows compassion for all the people of Elkton, even those who disagree with him. Making fun of little old ladies and the Mayor's hair just shows your ignorance. Everyone of those "old gray haired" ladies you are disparaging is somebody's mother. Shame on you! Would you disparage your mother because she cared so much about the Town we love in and took the time to come to meetings and learn the facts, not the rumors. I'll say it again. Where is the respect for our duly elected Mayor? Where is the derisen for those other officials who are so busy looking out for their own interests, that they are not doing the job they have sworn to uphold - that is, doing what's best for the residents of Elkton and not themselves. Are those who are constantly deriding the Mayor in a time-warp? Please - for all our sakes, get over yourselves.
At 2/27/2006 10:31 AM, Anonymous said…

Vicki, wake up. Where did you go to school to make the determination that 7 people are always wrong and one always right? The odds are against that logic! Perhaps 2 years ago you too got your alley graveled or driveway paved prior to the election. "Tell em what they want to hear", that's the mayors motto. He told me that in person.

I will never pronounce that he is bad or corrupt, but he is a politician and you guys had better watch out. You do his leg work while he takes you for granted. He is not one of us. He is a Yankee who moved here from up North and makes $90-$100 per year at the Mercks. How he became the savior of the seniors, poor and working men is over my head.

Leadership. This is a talent and not to be taken lightly. You either have it or don't. Running the town is not about being nice and hugging seniors, it's about leadership. $700 for candy for the parade. Imagine ole Snow doing that! Wake up. He has no limits on what he will do for votes and is not a leader. He should run for Council where he can legally debate and leave the leadership to someone else. Leading is not about popularity either. It's a serious full time job based on one's ability to organize, manage and make .tough decision based on town code and ordinances

Lastly,,,,,,, I suggest that if you have a comment about Elkton, please be personally informed and deal in facts. It shows your ignorance to just support or target someone from what others have told you or from what you have read. It will benefit our community in the long run to be factual. Thanks
At 2/27/2006 11:24 AM, Anonymous said…

I am Rick Workman, Elkton Councilman. I finally found this site and after reading it I have a few suggestions.

First I hope not to many outsiders are reading this because it really makes us (Elkton) look bad. We all need to voice our opinions in a non-personal manner. Attacks and name calling along with information that is not factual does our town and community harm.

Secondly, as long as we have Redskin & Cowboy fans, chevy & ford drivers and the Dem vs GOP'ers, we will have different opinions. We can surely agree that Elkton has an image problem and our public bickering just perpetuates this unwanted label. I don't put on a coat and tie to go to town hall to fight and over the last 4-5 months, I have dreaded going. I ask the players, no matter what team, to stop the attacks, outbursts and unprofessional behavior. All citizens, prospective new residents, prospective new business owners and investors in our town are watching and I hope they like what they see vs the alternative of out-of-control debate.

Lastly, change is coming whether we like it or not. Even if Elkton had not gotten involved in the developments, I feel certain they would be coming in some form or another. I support the growth and the shot in the arm it will give our local economy. Businesses and the taxes they pay will add to our treasury and are greatly needed to protect our future as a town. Without growth and new businesses, where will the revenue come from to run the town? Staying stagnet and drying on the vine will only cost us all. Some of the concerns may be a lack of communication about the developments and what exactly Elkton will be responsible for and what exactly Elkton will get in return. This is a fair concern and we must get better at it. Again, facts only. False assertions only muddy the water.

The bottom line is we as a community must debate our concerns in a civilized manner. Our future depends on it. We have to welcome new business and citizens to Elkton, not run them off. I'll try harder also. Welcome to Elkton.
At 2/28/2006 10:28 AM, Anonymous said…

Ah, how stupid do you think us dear gray-haired old ladies are? Whoever asked where did I get my education? - In private schools and here at good old JMU, plus post grad education, where I learned logic and good old common sense. I also learned there is a decided difference between compassion and decency, versus pomposity and character assassination. We older citizens have the experience and longevity to understand when we are being snowed. We know the good officials from the bad. We are not senile as some people portray us to be. We are mothers, grandmothers. aunts and nieces who care about the town and its future. Everytime you make snide remarks about the Mayor and/or the one caring person on the Town Council who is compassionate about theTown and the people who live here, you are downgrading and disgracing our Town yourself, and the decent people who live here. Think about it! Oh, and if Snow gets elected as Mayor, we hope that the new Town Council members will do to him what they have done to Mayor Printz. That is, take away all his Mayoral powers and criticize him daily, lock him out of his office, etc. Now that would be such sweet justice!!
At 3/02/2006 2:00 PM, Anonymous said…

How callous, how cruel, how nasty, how prompous, how low class are some of the persons who are using the blog to spout their venom against the Mayor and the decent people of Elkton who dare to disagree with their senseless and baseless diatribes. Ah, for the good old days of Elkton, when everybody respected their elected officials, and loved their neighbors and their Town! Where the Mayor was the undisputed leader over the Town Council, and the Town of Elkton, and where we didn't have a Town Manager who had the misguided notion that he was above the Mayor.

The Town Manager states that the locks were changed on the Town Hall because too many people had the keys! DUH! Did it ever occur to this guy that all he had to do was to redeem the keys back from the people who had no reason to have them? And on whose authority was $2,600.00 spent to do this dastardly deed? Who signed the check for this expenditure? Was the Mayor and ALL members of the Town Council contacted?

For the know-it-alls who continue to spread the rumor that Mayor Printz called an emergency meeting because he was "helping a friend get his utility bill taken care of." where did you get your unsubstantiated information. If you had been at the Public Meeting you would have been informed of the true story by the affected gentleman himself. After being presented with an enormous utility bill before he even opened his business, the gentleman informed the Mayor of his problem. You would also have known that the Mayor, AND two of the Councilmen, namely Steve Sigafoose and Theodore Pence were instrumental in resolving the problem satisfactorily. (How do you expect new businesses to settle in Elkton if we do not come to their assistance when they are confronted with an unjustified utility bill, or some other problem, big or small.) Keep in mind, this gentleman is a resident of Elkton - and you would deny him the right as a citizen to go to the Mayor, (the Leader of the Town) to ask for aid? How uncaring is that?

To the "jerk" who called the Mayor a transplanted Yankee - get real! Over half the people of this Town are transplanted Yankees. They came with Coors and Merck, and from other business in the area. What would this Town be without the influx of us "damn Yankees." We work and live side-by side with our neighbors, friends and extended familes in peace and harmony. We don't put labels on others. We love this Town and the people who live here, even those who would try to tear us apart.
At 3/03/2006 8:42 AM, Will Vaught said…

I though some of you elkton folks might find this interesting...

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/55118

(copy and paste it into your address bar)

This in no way is suggesting or connecting Mr. Printz to illegal activity. As I said before, I apologize for making comment before really understanding the full scope of things.

but what this article does tell me atleast, is that localities are better served when there is a clear divison of powers. It's never a good idea to let one person "rule the roost" in a sense.

Look at it this way, you might have problems, but Elkton's are nothign compared to the mess in Appalachia...

Once again, if anyone would like to write something on elkton, e-mail me (commonwealthiconoclast@yahoo.com) and I will post it, and I will do it anyomyously if you wish...
At 5/04/2006 12:38 PM, Anonymous said…

Things should get interesting once the new council takes their seats. Already Premier Printz has stated that they will once again change the town charter to give almighty powers to the mayor. Now that most all the seats on the council are his this will probably not be a problem. With all of his hand picked council members there will no longer be any checks and balances on the panel. What ever the premier wants he will get. Do we really need or want one person to have total control of the town. I would like to see how he plans on having 'no town run golf course' It is in the contract for at least seven years. Breaking the contract will probably bring dire consequences from Angler.
At 7/02/2006 8:35 AM, Anonymous said…

Just a thought regarding the new council people who took their seats yesterday - we wish them the best and pray God gives them the strength to overcome all the negativity and derisen that has already been shown toward them. Let's make sure we support them in their efforts to make this town the beautiful, peaceful place it was meant to be. To all the citizens of Elkton, let's get behind out duly elected officials and show them the respect and decency and love they deserve.
At 7/02/2006 3:07 PM, Anonymous said…

Finally - someone has shown respect for our new council members, and our Mayor. Let's hope bloggers will continue to enhance this Website with only good postings, instead of all the dishonor and indignities heaped on them by mean-spirited individuals.
Let's write blogs that are uplifting to our wonderful Town and which will bring back the love and respect we have for our neighbors and ourselves. God give all our Town officials His special graces and blessings as they start their new terms.
At 7/08/2006 6:46 PM, Anonymous said…

To the last two bloggers, thanks loads for your great postings. We wish we had more like you, rather than the awful, disgusting joker who keeps writing all this negative garbage on the blog. All he does is show himself to be an awful human being who thinks he should be dictating how the town should be run, and that he wants to be the watchdog for the town and its citizens. Be careul of watchdogs and how they WAG THEIR TAILS- (TALES). I can't believe that someone who thinks his ---- doesn't stink can criticize every one who write such derogatory replies to perfectly common sense blogs. God deliver us from such intolerant people. He should read the book entitled "The New Tolerance". Where does his intolerance begin and our tolerance end. That day may be coming soon - as someone pointed out - his actions are bordering on harassment. Of course, he wouldn't acknowledge that because he claims everything he writes about the Mayor, and/or Town Council is factual. Oh really! We shall see, won't we!!!!!
At 7/12/2006 7:20 AM, Anonymous said…

Has anyone else noticed that since the new council members have taken office, the town web site has changed and you can no longer view past council minutes online? Hmmm whats up with that?

The Commonwealth Iconoclast

Thursday, January 26, 2006

Elkton’s Printz puts on a show for the media, again….

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