John Cannon returns to Wicomico County Council presidency after vote

Maddie Aiken, Salisbury Daily Times
·2 min read

Wicomico County Councilman John Cannon will return to council leadership after de-seating former President Larry Dodd.

Tuesday night, the council held its annual December election for president and vice president.

The council elected Cannon as president and Councilman Ernest Davis as vice president, both in 4-3 votes.

Dodd and Councilwoman Nicole Acle were the other nominees for president and vice president, respectively.

Cannon and Davis received votes from Councilmen William McCain and Josh Hastings, while councilman and former Vice President Joe Holloway voted for Dodd and Acle.

Cannon, who owns Cannon Management & Rentals, LLC, has served on the council from 2006-2010 and 2014-present. During his tenure, the at-large Republican has previously acted as president for four years.

Davis, a Democrat, has served on the council since 2014. The entrepreneur and president of M.A.T. Delivery, Inc. represents District 1.

In 2019, Dodd replaced Cannon as president with unanimous support. Cannon then served as vice president until Holloway won the position in December 2020.

During council comments, Dodd thanked Wicomico County citizens and several government employees.

COUNTY: Pickleball courts provoke council debate, but are on way to Wicomico

SALISBURY: Marina one step closer to transformation with city council resolution

"I look forward to continue to work for the citizens of District 3 and Wicomico County," Dodd said.

A month before the December election, a heated exchange about pickleball courts broke out between Dodd and Cannon.

At its Nov. 2 meeting, the council voted to approve funding for 12 pickleball courts at Harmon Field. The courts will replace the park's softball field.

Wicomico County's Council Vice President John Cannon looks on as Salisbury Mayor Jake Day and the rest of city council are sworn in at the Salisbury, Maryland, Fire Department's Station 16 on Nov. 25, 2019.
Wicomico County's Council Vice President John Cannon looks on as Salisbury Mayor Jake Day and the rest of city council are sworn in at the Salisbury, Maryland, Fire Department's Station 16 on Nov. 25, 2019.

Dodd did not express support for the project, while Cannon did. During the council's discussion, Cannon addressed the fact that Dodd allegedly sent a private letter to the Maryland Board of Public Works about the courts.

Dodd's letter told the board that Wicomico County was not ready for the project at this time. The former president said he sent the letter as a "representative of citizens" and not as council president, though his email signature included his position on the board.

OCEAN CITY: The Paul Revere Smorgasbord has closed. Here's what will replace it

BUSINESS: Berlin Aldi sets opening date, Ocean Pines watersports shop planned

"It shocks me when I see a council member, especially a president, Mr. Dodd, who literally goes to the state of Maryland unilaterally and undermines this County Council, undermines the citizens of Wicomico County, and tells them, 'Do not send us that $700,000,' " Cannon said at the Nov. 2 meeting.

Maddie Aiken covers local government for Delmarva Now/The Daily Times. Have a story tip or idea? Send it her way at maiken@delmarvanow.com or on Twitter @madsaiken.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Wicomico County Council elects John Cannon, Ernest Davis to presidency