McQueeney, the county commissioner who serves as an ex-officio member on the county planning commission, has received financial support from principal players in some of the county's largest coming developments.

"I think it's a shame. It doesn't look good to me," Moser said. "I wonder what the voters will think - whether they think it's appropriate."

In March alone, McQueeney collected more than $4,000 from developers. Those contributions are as follows:

* $450 from Charles Covell of Gaithersburg, vice president of Bozzuto Development Co. of Greenbelt, major development partner in the Gibson's Grant community planned in Chester

* $450 from Thomas Bozzuto of Baltimore, founding partner of The Bozzuto Group

* $450 from John B. Slidell of Annapolis, founding partner of The Bozzuto Group

* $450 from Richard Mostyn of Crownsville, founding partner of The Bozzuto Group

* $250 from David Flanagan of McLean, Va., president of Elm Street Development, a partner with Buzzuto for the Gibson's Grant development planned in Chester

* $250 from Karen McJunkin of McLean, Va., vice president of Elm Street Development

* $450 from Koch Realty Inc. of Annapolis, a partner with Buzzuto for the Gibson's Grant development planned in Chester

* $400 from Coastal South of Md. of Stevensville, a partner with Buzzuto for the Gibson's Grant development planned in Chester

* $310 from Walter Petrie of Annapolis, a principal with PDK, the developer for Kent Commons (the Wal-Mart project)

* $500 from Peter Sheaffer of Centreville, a developer in northern Queen Anne's County

These campaign contributions were received the week before the Gibson's Grant project went before the planning commission. On March 14, the planning commission, in a split vote of 4-2, approved the project's concept plan, with McQueeney voting in favor of it.

The planning commission also voted, 3-2, to recommend the project be granted water and sewer allocation. McQueeney cannot vote on sewer and water requests at the planning commission level since as a county commissioner he sits on the sanitary commission, which gets the final vote.

Gibson's Grant is one of the projects that has been delayed by the county's six-month building moratorium. The sanitary commission won't consider water and sewer allocation for the project until after the moratorium ends in November.

In July, McQueeney lists contributions from individuals with ties to the Four Seasons senior housing development on Kent Island:

* $1,000 from Barbara J. Karen of Owings Mills, wife of Robert H. Karen, former president of K. Hovnanian Companies - the Karens are founders of Odin Development Group, which is developing the Sonata Bay Club in Centreville;

* $250 from Thomas J. Pellerito of Vienna, Va., president of Washington Homes, a K. Hovnanian Co.;

* and $250 from Mark Stemen of Herndon, Va., division president of K. Hovnanian of Maryland.

A public hearing on the Developer's Rights and Responsibilities Agreement was held Aug. 6. The agreement now awaits a vote by the county commission.

"I got money from everybody," McQueeney said. "Last time I ran, I accepted campaign contributions from no one."

The situation has changed since then, he said, adding, now he's retired and he has donated his salary for the last four years.

The developers are contributing even though he helped raise impact fees and institute the county's Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance, which increased developer costs, McQueeney pointed out.

He said he believes people know he's honest enough and trustworthy enough to realize "you're not going to influence me with a few hundred dollars, a few thousand dollars or even a lot of thousands."

And people respect him for that, he said, pointing out that Petrie contributed to his campaign even after he had voted against Wal-Mart.

"Tom Helfenbein gave me a contribution, and his brother's running against me," McQueeney said, adding that he even had a contribution from his ex-wife.

"I haven't turned anyone down," he said, "but look at my contributions." He listed donations to the Children's Memorial Playground at Love Point Park, to Christmas in April, to Thanksgiving dinners for the needy, and to the Doug Thomas Fund, among others. He said he contributes to all nine of Queen Anne's County's volunteer fire companies.

"If I was in it for the money, I wouldn't be in this job," McQueeney said. "I do it for the pleasure."

Incumbent George O'Donnell (D, At-Large) is the second largest fund-raiser with $17,635. His largest developer donations come from Walter Thompson of Grasonville, owner of C&T Land Inc., which is planning an 85-room hotel and separate restaurant south of Route 18 near Wells Cove. Thompson gave $1,000 himself, and Sleep Inn, which Thompson owns, also gave $1,000. O'Donnell said Thompson was a childhood friend. "I can't remember when I didn't know him."

O'Donnell also received $1,000 from Bob DeStefano of Annapolis, Sturbridge Homes, but said he didn't know who DeStefano was.

"This is my fourth election. I've never had a contribution influence me in the decision-making process," O'Donnell said. "I hope they contribute because you're a fair-minded person. Maybe they like the decisions you've made or what you stand for."

Incumbent Marlene Davis (D, D-2) has raised just over $9,000 so far. Like McQueeney, Davis also received $1,000 from Barbara J. Karen. The three incumbents each received a $500 donation from Claiborne Farms of Centreville.

Gene M. Ransom III (D, D-3) has raised $12,185 without contributions from developers. He said, "I don't intend to take any money from large developers. I'm disappointed that some people feel comfortable taking money from people whose projects they have to make decisions on."

As a lawyer, Ransom said he works under strict rules of ethics so he understands about watching out for potential conflicts of interest.

A few years ago the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to stop lawmakers from taking contributions during session, Ransom said. "Maybe the county should consider a similar law."

Ben Cassell (R, At-Large) has raised $11,379.76, but $10,349.76 were contributions he made to himself. While he's grateful for people's support, he said he hasn't accepted many contributions. "It's hard when you have to owe people later," he said, adding he would rather avoid that.

Dan Shortall (R, D-1) has raised $6,685.75; Rodney "Nemo" Niedomanski (R, D-2) has raised $5,720.86; H. Joseph Gannon (D, D-1) has raised $5,625; Barb Pivec (R, D-2) has raised $3,517, including $1,237.23 she loaned herself; John "Squeakie" Lofland (R, D-1) has raised $1,985, including a $1,660 loan from his wife; and Bob McCormick (R, D-1) has raised $1,405, including $300 from himself.

Four commission candidates were the sole funders of their own campaigns as of Aug. 13: Helfenbein (D, D-4), $100 contribution; and Michael Hoffman (I, D-3), $750 contribution; Joseph F. Cupani (R, D-1), $1,500 personal loan; and Stephen S. Hershey (R, D-2), $2,000 personal loan. Richard A. Smith (R, At-Large) has done no fund-raising and lists $1,540 worth of in-kind contributions.

McQueeney has publicly stated that he is financially backing the campaigns of both Smith and Peter B. Lee (R, D-3) and has actively campaigned for voters to elect them as a block, even including Smith and Lee in his newspaper advertisements and on his signs.

While he wouldn't call it a slate, MCQueeney said he would prefer to work with people he likes. "Otherwise it could be a very long four years."

Smith does list a $250 in-kind contribution for one-third space on McQueeney's signs. Lee, however, lists no in-kind contributions. His report lists $850 in contributions and a $2,000 personal loan from his wife.

Four commission candidates, Moser, Robert W. Foley (R, D-3), Capt. Robert H. Newberry (R, At-Large), and Thomas Wheat (D, D-1), filed affidavits of limited contributions and expenditures, which means they do not plan to receive or spend more than $1,000 and thus do not have to file campaign fund reports.

The next deadline for campaign fund reports is Aug. 30. 

©The Star Democrat 2002 

Gene M. Ransom III (D, D-3) has raised $12,185 without contributions from developers. He said, "I don't intend to take any money from large developers. I'm disappointed that some people feel comfortable taking money from people whose projects they have to make decisions on."

As a lawyer, Ransom said he works under strict rules of ethics so he understands about watching out for potential conflicts of interest.

A few years ago the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to stop lawmakers from taking contributions during session, Ransom said. "Maybe the county should consider a similar law."