Area leaders criticize council

Leaked documents about possible bribes for solar energy farm in Front Royal still a concern

By Ben Orcutt - borcutt@nvdaily.com

FRONT ROYAL -- If members of the Town Council continue to leak confidential documents to the press, the consequences could be dire, according to the executive director of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority.

EDA Executive Director Jennifer R. McDonald chided the council during its Monday meeting, and was not alone in her criticism of how the panel has handled allegations of secret meetings and a possible bribe being offered to Town Manager J. Michael Graham during the procurement process for a proposed solar energy farm.

"My request is, if you have something that is confidential, I wish it would stay confidential until it's time for the public to know," McDonald said to the council. "We work with a lot of prospects, and we're about 30 days away from closing a deal for 400 jobs for this community. After all this came out in the paper, I received two phone calls from this company. 'What's going on? What's happening in your town? Tell me why we should locate our company there?'"

McDonald said she managed to reassure the prospect, but the reassurance could be short-lived if the council were to release confidential documents regarding the firm, as was done with allegations of the bribe being offered.

"So I am making a request as the director of the EDA, please, keep this stuff among the council until it's ready for public knowledge," McDonald said. "This is a time that we all need to work together and need to figure out a solution to this. I can't afford to have 400 jobs go to another community. We can't, this community cannot afford that. ... I am pleading with you, begging you to please help me with this because it is making my job very difficult."

Councilman Carson C. Lauder Jr. acknowledged that he and his colleagues must do a better job of maintaining each other's trust.

"I really appreciate you telling all this," Lauder said to McDonald, "and we need to really grow up and do better with communications and trust."

McDonald also implied that had the EDA been spearheading the solar project, the current controversy may have been avoided.

"From the beginning, this project was not handled at the EDA," McDonald said. "I think a lot of this maybe could have been handled a little differently, but I am telling you if it's a project at the EDA, your whole council will know what is happening."

Matthew A. Tederick, a town resident who has been an outspoken critic of the council, told the panel Monday that he is concerned about a possible link between Vice Mayor Bret R. Hrbek, who works for the investment firm of Edward Jones, which has underwritten bonds for AMP-Ohio, the town's electric provider, and the controversy over the alleged bribe and the solar project.

"One particular concern that I sincerely have has to do with his dealings on the AMP-Ohio bond sale and I believe there's a pattern regarding his dealings with the bond sale and this alleged bribery issue that has been discussed," Tederick said to the panel. "At a minimum, Bret, there's the appearance of impropriety here and you have a significant responsibility as a public servant to not only clear your reputation, but you have a responsibility to clear this council's reputation and our community's reputation."

Tederick then cited the minutes of the council's Jan. 19 work session and discussion of a meeting between SolAVerde, a local company involved in the solar project, and AMP-Ohio.

"Vice Mayor Hrbek noted that AMP and SolAVerde had met independently of the town and there was excitement of both ends," Tederick read, noting that a request for bids for the solar project had already been sent out by the town.

"Now gentlemen, how did he know that?" Tederick asked. "Do you see what I'm talking about? I'm not on a witch hunt. I'm after honesty in government. The questions need to be asked. How does he know that and what was said to him? It needs to be asked. I'm demanding an investigation. I'm demanding an investigation of his AMP-Ohio bond dealings. I'm demanding that the information come out. I don't have the facts. I'm not accusing him of illegal activity.

"But I will find the truth. I'll find the truth with this AMP deal, and I will find the truth of what was taking place and what was said during this alleged bribery discussion. I feel personally compelled to find the truth."

Hrbek issued a statement on Tuesday responding to Tederick.

"Rather than the council waste precious resources defending accusations of perceived conflicts of interest due to my votes or discussions regarding AMP-Ohio," Hrbek said in an e-mail, "I plan to recuse myself of the discussion and votes during council meetings. Even though recusals may appear as a way for public officers to avoid tough votes, I will recuse myself during the Council meetings' debates and votes regarding AMP-Ohio contracts because the appearance of a conflict of interest [will] only deflect from the good work we on the Town Council are doing.

"I am confident that nothing improper took place. However, in retrospect, I should have disclosed this relationship because of the possible appearance of a conflict of interest. For that I am sorry."