Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-08-02
Role Of WiIIiom B. Wheeler

Role OF william b. wheeler
A new round of conflict of interest questioning has
arisen as result of the role of William B. Wheeler in
county land development Personabe able and popular,
Wheeler is member of the Washington Suburban SAM
tary Commission, member of the Democratic State Gen.
trail Committee member of the Councils Coordnating
Committee leading coming lawyer and is associated with
title firms that do land office legal business SUBJ
urban growth continues at a fast pace.
For the benefit of those who do not keep up with
the ntrcaces of government the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission, in large measure determines where
sewer and water lines will CO. These lines in turn de-
termne where homes will be built Zoning lawyers are
those legal specialists who represent developers seeking
approval of subdivisions which must follow water and
sewer lines The Council Coordinatng Committee is
powerful group of key officials who meet periodically to
review problems of countrywide scope, particularly those
that relate to development problems involving County
agencies close look at where sewer lines are going
one of the groups major functions On the coordnating
Committee beside Mr.. Wheeler, County Manager Ma
son Butcher School Superintendent c. Taylor Whittier
and j. Newton Brewer vice chairman of the Maryland
National Capital Park and Planning Commission. Mr..
Wheeers business interests result of his association
with title firms keyed heavily to county growth AS
member of the Democratic State Central Committee ne
sits in poicymaking position within the Democratic
Party and of in Montgomery County as In most
areas politics and government often are rather closely
intertwined.
Accordingly it must be difficult at times to say the
least for Mr. Wheeler to decide with clear conscience
at what point his personal interests may clash rather
violently with his public responsibilities This is called
conflict of interest and is problem that has - and will
for long time = beset good government.
In some cases Mr. Wheeler has no problem in de-
Gliding his role. This is when the Washington Suburban
Sanitary Commission approves costly sewer lines to de-
veloper who is client of Mr. Wheelers in his capacity
as coming lawyer In such cases. Mr. Wheeler sits mute
during meeting of the Sanitary Commission while his
colleagues discuss the question He does not participate
in such decisions. To do would make mockery of
government Because of his silence and inaction due
to his deep personal involvement in the he is de-
privng the public of representation the Sanitary Com
mission that it needs and deserves.
further complication for Mr.. Wheeler arose last
week when he disclosed he Is onehird owner of CO.
tract in the path of proposed to Oney that
would make possible 824-home development. In that
case which could not be approved unless lines
extended to the development, he the attorney rep
resentng the developer in trying to win approval of
preliminary subdivision plan. He also was the lawyer
representing Cherry Valley Estates subdivision o.
ney which could not be built without lines (Which
were approved).
Mr. Wheelers actions, are confident, have not at
any time violated any law. We certain he would not
consider doing anything Illegal But by his actions he
has raised questions from the public to whether spe
cia favors may have been granted We ask such ques
tons ourselves. But such public questions are never
answered. Because of this doubt fingers in the mind of
the quesoner. And public confidence in good govern
ment where special avors granted is undermined
It is possible, has been pointed out by the Mont
gomery County Citizens Planning Association again and
again avoid the obvious and unnecessary handcaps i'm
posed on the planning process by the appointment of
whose personal fortunes known to be bound up with
the development of the very land they responsible
for planning"