"Wandragate"
Deputy Mayor Wandra Ashley-Williams
is Working in Washington D.C.
and
claims she can still do her job as Deputy Mayor. Aug 20, 2006
Updated Sept 18, 2006
Updated Dec 10, 2006 WAW Resigns
On June 29th Deputy Mayor Wandra Ashley-Williams left the 9:00 AM Township Council Meeting early. That was the same day that she sold her condominium in Franklin and the last time she appeared at any Township meeting.  On July 15th we learned from the HNT that she had taken a job in Washington D.C. We later learned that she is employed by the D.C Department of Corrections.
The question is of course how can someone who is working and staying in Washington D.C. possibly keep in touch with her responsibilities in Franklin. Bear in mind that she is drawing a salary as Council Person, getting medical benefits and the longer she serves the larger her pension grows.
Can she do this legally? Apparently, according to Township Attorney Louis Rainone, as long as her official residence is in Franklin she can remain on council provided that does not miss eight meetings in a row. Are there residency requirements for her job in Washington? Curiously Ms. A-W and Mr. Rainone made a point of this in an on record discussion at that June 29th meeting.
What happens if she resigns?
 When and if she resigns the Democratic Party has 15 days to pick 3 people to fill her seat. From that time the council has 15 days to select one of the three candidates. If either body fails to meet it's commitment the other body can select any Democrat. A crucial caveat is that if she resigns prior to September 1st then in November voters will select a replacement, after September 1st the voters would not get that chance until the following November.
Opinions
On July 24th TUF sent the following email to the Chairpersons of the Democrat and Republican parties:
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TUF will be writing an article about the recent events involving Ms.
Ashley-Williams. We'd like to include comments form the two local party
Chairpersons and would appreciate any answers you can provide us on the
record.
What is your opinion of her taking a job in Washington with regard to her
ability to perform her job as Councilwoman and Deputy Major.
According to the Franklin Township Public Directory Ms. A-W is a member of
the following committees:
- Administration Committee
- Public Relations & Cable TV Committee
- Business & Industry Advisory Committee
- Community Foundation Inc.
- Human Relations Commission
- Library Board of Trustees
- Redevelopment Agency
- BOE Joint Committee
Do you believe she can continue to perform in those capacities given that
she will have to spend considerable time in Washington D.C.?
Thank you
Chip Hoever, Founding Director of TUF
Phillip Kramer, Director of TUF
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TUF's opinion
We believe that it is not possible for Ms. Ashley-Williams to keep in touch with Franklin issues while living and starting a new job 225 miles and 4 states away. Since her first responsibility as Councilwoman is to to the Township we believe her actions are unethical and she should resign immediately. Further the Democrat Party should apply whatever pressure they can call for her immediate resignation, prior to the September 1st deadline thus giving the people a choice. In reality, it is unlikely that the Democratic Party has any influence on the actions of Ms. Ashley-Williams.
To date Ms. Ashley-Williams has missed 4 council meetings and a Redevelopment Agency (the later does not count towards eight meetings).
Ms. Ashley-Williams may claim that she is being singled out siting the Councilman Regan has missed several meetings because of his work. The difference is that Mr. Regan's work unexpectedly required his attention, it was beyond his control. Ms. Ashley-Williams on the other hand made a choice that took her away from Franklin. That's her prerogative but she seems unwilling to accept the consequence of her actions.
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