Politics & Government

Ethics Complaint Filed against McDaniel

Council is likely to add an executive session to tonight's meeting to discuss the complaint

Bryan Ziemski, of 19 Ridge Drive, has filed an ethics complaint against Mayor Ron McDaniel.

Ziemski alleges that McDaniel is violating the ethics code with his property management company, Common Ground LLC, and with his relationship with James Michalski, who owns Michalski Concrete.

Ziemski’s complaint focuses in large part on the Dumpsters and clothes-drying area of the multifamily property at 3 Walnut Drive, a building McDaniel’s company manages.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Dumpsters and clothes-drying area are visible from Ziemski’s property. That visibility, Ziemski says, violates town regulations.

In addition, Ziemski alleges, McDaniel allows Michalski Concrete use of public property (land at end of Ridge Drive) for refuse bin storage for Michalski Concrete's convenience, in large part because, Ziemski charges, Michalski and McDaniel are friends.

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

McDaniel’s property management company cares for 10 buildings in the region. Four are in Montville. McDaniel said last week that he is in the process of divesting himself of the Montville properties and two others, a move he said he was reluctant to make while he was running for office.

Michalski said Sunday that he barely knows McDaniel.

“I’m not personal friends with Ron McDaniel. I’ve never been to his house,” Michalski said.

Ziemski says he has been pursuing his complaints for years, but to no avail.
“It’s ridiculously not a big issue to anybody but me.”

Town Council Chairman Candy Buebendorf said she had no comment at this time. She is going to ask that an executive session be added to tonight’s meeting to discuss the complaint.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here