Official Peeved Over Ethics Vote Takes It Out On Charities

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A Frederick County councilman known for peevish behavior is protesting the tightening of local ethics rules by halting his company's charitable donations to community organizations.

Kirby Delauter's statement Thursday to The Frederick-News Post follows his threat in January to sue the newspaper for publishing his name because of what he considered unfair coverage. Delauter dropped the threat a day later amid widespread ridicule on social media.

In his apologetic statement in January, the Republican councilman noted his regrettable tendency to send hasty, angry messages online.

He lashed out on Facebook Wednesday, one day after the County Council voted 4-3 to bar the county from awarding contracts to businesses owned by elected county officials. Delauter contends his construction company, W.F. Delauter and Son, should be eligible for county projects. He told the News-Post that without those contracts, his company can't afford to donate to the 30 to 40 nonprofits it has historically supported.

Delauter's Facebook post included a photo of a donation solicitation from a Catoctin High School football fundraiser. Delauter had written on the form a message urging the group to seek contributions from council members who voted for ethics reform "since they don't see value in W.F. Delauter doing work in Frederick County."

Councilwoman M.C. Keegan-Ayer said Thursday, "I'm sorry he feels the need to lash out at the kids."

Delauter didn't immediately respond to a phone call and email Friday from The Associated Press.

He told the News-Post his company has donated $10,000 to $15,000 annually to community organizations. When asked to provide receipts for the donations, he told the newspaper he didn't have time that day.

The newspaper reported that the county hasn't directly awarded a contract to Delauter's company in the 4 1/2 years since he first elected.

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