IS THE SAFARI AT THE QUARRY AUDIT IN WICOMICO COUNTY TRULY AN AUDIT OR ANOTHER COUNCIL WITCH HUNT?
Wicomico County, MD - The ongoing discussions at the county council meetings have once again highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity and transparency, but that clearly isn't the case with the latest audit of the Safari at the Quarry.
This week, Internal Auditor Anjali Chatelle provided a comprehensive breakdown of Resolution No. 49-2025, which pertains to the Safari at the Quarry Special Event Audit Report.
Source: Safari at the Quarry Audit (456-pages full report/Pages 283-395 are the main parts but we included the entire report so nothing appears hidden)
Originally tabled on May 6, 2025, this report has undergone a journey marked by extensive deliberations and interventions. Interestingly, the Safari at the Quarry event took place over a year ago, on May 4 and 5, 2024, yet the conversations surrounding it are still very relevant today.
During her speech, Anjali Chatelle noted that the photos and videos included in the report were not part of her original submission. They were added later by the county council. There were also several sentences within the report, that the council made motions to change.
This raises an essential question about the independence of the audit. We must express concerns about whether Chatelle, as an auditor, is compromised when she faces the strong influence of the council. If it is truly an independent audit, shouldn't she write what she believes it should be, not what the council wants to hear? There is truly a fundamental issue regarding the importance of keeping the auditor's voice authentic and unbiased.
The essence of an independent audit lies in its impartiality, serving as a cornerstone for ensuring accountability and transparency in government actions. Therefore, the council's role should be to objectively review and respond to audit findings, rather than altering them.
Any disagreements with the conclusions can be addressed through a published response or rebuttal, rather than modifying the original report. Allowing elected officials to change the audit's language not only undermines its purpose but also risks compromising the integrity of public governance.
Echoing the sentiment of numerous concerned taxpayers, there is an expectation that audits remain independent and are not influenced by political agendas. This call for autonomy is not only an administrative necessity but also a step toward safeguarding democratic governance and ensuring responsible management of public resources.
As the community observes these discussions unfold, the emphasis remains on maintaining the true spirit of independent audits for the benefit of all. A transparent and accountable government is foundational to a thriving community.
Did we mention that the Safari at the Quarry event happened over a year ago? Indeed, the ramifications of this event continue to resonate, raising questions about why this matter is still being addressed and whether this is a genuine governance issue or just another lingering witch hunt.
This week, Internal Auditor Anjali Chatelle provided a comprehensive breakdown of Resolution No. 49-2025, which pertains to the Safari at the Quarry Special Event Audit Report.
Source: Safari at the Quarry Audit (456-pages full report/Pages 283-395 are the main parts but we included the entire report so nothing appears hidden)
Originally tabled on May 6, 2025, this report has undergone a journey marked by extensive deliberations and interventions. Interestingly, the Safari at the Quarry event took place over a year ago, on May 4 and 5, 2024, yet the conversations surrounding it are still very relevant today.
During her speech, Anjali Chatelle noted that the photos and videos included in the report were not part of her original submission. They were added later by the county council. There were also several sentences within the report, that the council made motions to change.
This raises an essential question about the independence of the audit. We must express concerns about whether Chatelle, as an auditor, is compromised when she faces the strong influence of the council. If it is truly an independent audit, shouldn't she write what she believes it should be, not what the council wants to hear? There is truly a fundamental issue regarding the importance of keeping the auditor's voice authentic and unbiased.
The essence of an independent audit lies in its impartiality, serving as a cornerstone for ensuring accountability and transparency in government actions. Therefore, the council's role should be to objectively review and respond to audit findings, rather than altering them.
Any disagreements with the conclusions can be addressed through a published response or rebuttal, rather than modifying the original report. Allowing elected officials to change the audit's language not only undermines its purpose but also risks compromising the integrity of public governance.
Echoing the sentiment of numerous concerned taxpayers, there is an expectation that audits remain independent and are not influenced by political agendas. This call for autonomy is not only an administrative necessity but also a step toward safeguarding democratic governance and ensuring responsible management of public resources.
As the community observes these discussions unfold, the emphasis remains on maintaining the true spirit of independent audits for the benefit of all. A transparent and accountable government is foundational to a thriving community.
Did we mention that the Safari at the Quarry event happened over a year ago? Indeed, the ramifications of this event continue to resonate, raising questions about why this matter is still being addressed and whether this is a genuine governance issue or just another lingering witch hunt.
