Eastern Shore Undercover Editorial: When Leaders Forget They're Being Watched

There is a video circulating on social media right now that has a lot of people in Wicomico County talking. The video features Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis speaking at a fundraising event for Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler.

Many in the community reached out to us over the past 24-hours asking us to share it. After careful consideration, we decided against sharing the video.

That decision, however, does not mean this moment should go unaddressed.

Before I go any further, I want to be completely transparent. Sheriff Lewis and I do not have a good relationship, and that is no secret. He has made his feelings about me and this outlet, Eastern Shore Undercover, very clear.

He once requested an entire County Council meeting to discuss me and make allegations against my business, many of which were later proven to be completely false.

Following a full investigation by the State Prosecutor's office, the state confirmed we did nothing wrong.

I will also own my part. In anger, I made statements and promised to release photo and video content that was sent to us, which of course did not help the situation between us. I acknowledge that and accept my part of the blame for our on-going issue.

So yes, my opinion of Sheriff Lewis is not neutral. You deserve to know that going in.

Now, back to the video.

In the footage, Sheriff Lewis introduces himself to the crowd and mentions he is a five-term sheriff currently running for a sixth term. He points out that for 20 years, he ran unopposed, until now. His opponent this cycle is candidate Scott Hamilton, whose campaign slogan reads "More Service - Less Politics."

In the video, Sheriff Lewis talks about the slogan and refers to it as "Less Politics - More Service" which was incorrect.

Regardless, Sheriff Lewis then addressed that slogan directly. His response, and we will quote exactly as it came out of the Sheriff's mouth, was this: "I felt like saying, bitch you have no idea what it's like being a sheriff." He then added, "It's all about politics."

Now, you are entitled to your own reaction to those words. Some people will shrug it off. Some will laugh. That is your right.

But I think it matters and shows the "Real Sheriff Mike Lewis".

Scott Hamilton is not just a political opponent. He is a former Deputy with the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for 21 years of service. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran. He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 from the Maryland Army National Guard after 22 years of dedicated military service to this country.

That is the person Sheriff Lewis chose to call a "bitch" and address him in that manner in front of a crowd, and now on video for everyone to see.

Leadership is about more than a title or a term count. It is about character. And character is not something you can fake indefinitely, especially when the cameras are rolling.

There is also a broader concern worth raising here. Sheriff Lewis is frequently seen in Washington D.C., in Annapolis, in Harford County, and traveling the country for various reasons, for awards ceremonies and speaking engagements.

That visibility has value, but only if the people back home are also benefiting. What is the direct return for Wicomico County Deputies, even for surrounding agencies, but most of all, for Wicomico County residents and citizens?

A leader's wisdom and experience means the most when it is shared with the people they serve every day, and from my

Young people in this community look up to figures like the county sheriff. We see Sheriff Lewis at local schools reading books, at local events where the younger generation is attending, he was recently at a little league opening day where many of the younger generation was at. What message does this kind of language send to them about how leaders are supposed to carry themselves?

Leadership is not about who can be the loudest, who is your friend, who is the best in front of a camera, who can give you a great big smile and a hug when they walk in the room or who is the most popular in a room. It is about the values they live by when they think the moment does not count......This moment counted.