The new Glenarden City Council can be sworn in Monday, but controversy over results of the May 2 mayoral race continues to delay official results for that seat.
Donjuan Williams, who lost to incumbent Mayor Gail Parker Carter with 204 votes to her 214, tried June 8 to appeal the city’s board of election’s May 19 decision to still count the 26 absentee ballots, some of which he alleges are invalid.
Williams’ concern is that residents who picked up absentee ballots and applications on behalf of their neighbors did not sign affidavits verifying they were picking up a ballot or application for another person. According to state law, residents must do so under penalty of perjury.
Another concern was language on Ward 3 candidate Judy Diggs’ website that stated “Early Voting” was available from April 8 to April 29, even though the city did not offer early voting. Williams was concerned the language may have deceived voters into thinking casting absentee ballots equated early voting.
The new council will be sworn in Monday, but if it had been earlier, there might have been a quorum June 8. Only Council President Margaret Dade (Ward 2) and council members Elaine Carter (At large) and Jennifer Jenkins (Ward 3) attended. One more council member was necessary to come to a vote. Jenkins said people are spending too much time and money on legal advice for there not to be a quorum.
“People have used their resources for this,” Jenkins said.
Councilwoman Carolyn Smallwood (Ward 1) recently had surgery and could not attend. Outgoing council members Barbara Armstrong (Ward 1), Deborah Eason (Ward 2) and Irving Haywood (Ward 3) have not attended a meeting since Feb. 14, Dade said.
The three members cited safety as their reason for not attending meetings after a heated Feb. 14 City Council meeting where Ward 1 Councilman-Elect James Herring alleged Haywood pushed him. Herring filed a complaint in Prince George’s County Circuit Court but the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s office declined to pursue Herring’s complaint because it did not merit a formal assault charge.
Eason and Haywood said they did not get enough notice about Wednesday’s appeal hearing but said until the city invests in a U.S. marshal or county police officer to observe meetings, they will not feel safe attending.
Dade said Wednesday a U.S. marshal would not sit in on a municipal meeting.
Williams will have to wait until after the new council is sworn in on June 13 to receive a new date for an appeal.
Kevin Karpinski, the Glenarden city council’s attorney, recommended only the six council members be sworn in Monday and not Parker Carter until Williams’ complaints are addressed. According to the city charter, Parker Carter could still take an oath of office in the county’s Circuit Court.
Williams said his next option after getting another hearing is to appeal to the county’s Circuit Court.
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