Who is Maria Veach? What are her motivations?
Something just isn’t right with Orono City Council member Maria Veach. She has two more conflicts of interest added to her list of seven.
The Orono City Council is hiring her Long Lake Firefighter husband on Monday, October 9, 2023. Why is she not recusing herself from all Fire related voting and negotiation?
It has also come to light that Veach, as Treasurer of the Westonka Soccer Association, may be supporting the dissolution of the T-ball fields at Hackberry Park. Why is she not recusing herself from any Hackberry votes?
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s personal interests – family, friendships, financial, or social factors – could compromise his or her judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace or vice versa.
Veach may have several conflicts of interest due to her personal relationships, her preselection for City Council, her lack of governmental experience and the apparent pressure she is under with fellow council members:
1) Veach is married to a Long Lake Firefighter.
2) Veach may be influenced to hire her husband to the OFD.
3) Veach is friends with Long Lake Firefighters and their wives and families.
4) Veach’s income partially comes from the Long Lake Fire Department (they are involved in a lawsuit with the City of Orono.)
5) Veach was preselected to be on the Orono City Council.
6) Veach is on the Fire Advisory Board representing the City of Orono.
7) Veach is on the Fire Negotiation Committee representing the City of Orono.
8 ) Veach was volunteered to be a part of the mediation with Long Lake representing Orono.
9) Veach is the treasurer of the Orono Westonka Soccer Association so she may have influence on funding the Hackberry Park remodel.
Where does it end? Apparently when Veach stands up for herself against the block of three voters - Walsh, Crosby and Johnson. Veach needs to look at her ethical standards. Stop allowing Walsh to place you in a double bind Ms. Veach and vote for the Citizens of Orono.
