LTE: The Elephant in the Boardroom

Dear Editor:

On Wednesday night, July 17, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted to censure Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, place the Sterling District budget under control of the BOS, remove his staff aides, and permanently ban Delgaudio from serving on any committees.  "...Read the report. Just read the report...” remarked Ashburn Supervisor Ralph Buona during the meeting.  Buona was referring, of course, to the extraordinary report issued by a Special Grand Jury on June 24 regarding evidence that Mr. Delgaudio abused his office, his employees, and county resources. 

However, not everything about Delgaudio's performance as a county supervisor was in the report. Regarding the question of Mr. Delgaudio's behavior as an elected official, there was an elephant in the room. That elephant was subtly alluded to near the end of Wednesday's BOS meeting: "...We're all on the fifth floor...we've all made our own observations...," one supervisor commented, referring to the fact that supervisors were aware that something stunk in Mr. Delgaudio's office. 

Frankly, this is no surprise to me or to many other Sterling residents.  First, there is the inaction to make much- needed improvements to the Sterling library, community center, and fire-rescue station.  Second, there is the lack of constituent services. As 19-year residents of Sterling Park, my wife and I can attest to the stories we have heard over the years from fellow "Sterling-ites" who have told us about requesting assistance from Delgaudio's office with an issue or a problem - only to be met with either a promise to do something and no follow up, or with total unresponsiveness.  Finally, there are the strange newsletters, at taxpayers' expense, mostly promoting Mr. Delgaudio's personal agendas, including those of his hate group, Public Advocate of the United States.  

There are also the stories of Mr. Delgaudio's abuse of power and excess political cronyism. One personal example:  Although I have training and experience in all aspects of television and video production, as well as experience in negotiating cable franchise contracts, Mr. Delgaudio would not appoint me to the county Cable and OVS Commission.  I was subsequently appointed to that commission (on which I served for 12 years, the last six as its Chairman) by former Broad Run Supervisor Chuck Harris.  When I met Mr. Delgaudio's appointee to the commission, a friendly fellow, he readily admitted to me that he had no experience in the field of cable television or cable franchise negotiations, and said he was appointed because his house sat on a big corner lot in Sterling, and he put Delgaudio yard signs all over his yard!

After the Special Grand Jury issued its report, I wrote a public letter asking for Mr. Delgaudio's resignation.  Now, Mr. Delgaudio  is permanently and officially unable to fully represent the Sterling District.  Now, I repeat my request for Mr. Delgaudio's resignation.

For years, both county supervisors and Sterling residents have been observing questionable behavior coming from Supervisor Delgaudio and his office.  Now, thanks to the courage of a former Delgaudio employee, Donna Mateer, and the grassroots efforts she has inspired -  "Real Advocate" and "Sterling Deserves Better" - the elephant in the room has been publicly acknowledged and exposed.  At the meeting Wednesday night, I asked Mr. Delgaudio face-to-face to do the honorable thing and step down.  Again, I say, "Mr. Delgaudio, it is time to step down from public office, explore your options elsewhere, and let Sterling and Loudoun County move forward."

Tony Barney
Sterling 

Note: Mr. Barney has filed to run as a Democrat in the 2015 election for Sterling Supervisor.