The Wicomico County Council voted unanimously among members present to override County Executive Julie Giordano’s veto of Emergency Legislative Bill No. 2026-11, the Wicomico County Nursing Home Act, during a special legislative session on October 13, 2026. The over ride passed by a vote of 6-0, with Councilman James Winn absent.
The Council originally adopted the bill by a 6–1 vote on September 15, 2026 after hearing con cerns from employees, residents’ families, and community members.
The legislation establishes a Nursing Home Commission to provide independent oversight of nursing home facilities, review concerns and complaints, and submit its findings and recommendations to the County Executive and County Council. The new commission will be comprised of a cross section of professionals and stake holders, including a resident or family advocate.
During recent Council meetings, Council members learned of multiple public and staff concerns regarding staff departures (totaling 20 staff members to date), employee morale, lack of communication, and the negative impact to resident care. The Council fully acknowledges that there are contrasting opinions regarding the conditions as well as root causes for the apparent changes at the facility. The Council, however, believes these uncharacteristic circumstances deserve prompt and objective scrutiny. This legislation would allow for the appointment of a commission which could provide a clear process for gathering information, reviewing concerns, and making the objective recommendations necessary for any improvements.
The bill was presented to the County Executive on September 16, 2026. Under Charter Section 411, the Executive had up to 21 calendar days to return the bill to the Council with either approval or a veto. The veto was hand delivered on the 20th calendar day, immediately after the council adjourned their October 6th legislative session, thereby eliminating the opportunity for any legislative action at said meeting.
The Council’s first priority is to create more effective oversight and the veto override of this legislation addresses such by establishing a commission of professional experts who can present an objective, quantifiable understanding of the exact condition of all operations within the nursing home. The legislation also establishes additional oversight by having the commission report to both branches of government.
The Council feels a commission reporting only to the Executive Branch could be subject to the whims of only the Executive and, therefore, creating restrictions on true oversight and transparency. With shared oversight, incorporating both the Executive and Legislative branches, there will be an additional body of seven council members – who hold their legislative meetings in public – to ensure a broader perspective of accountability, understanding and transparency.
President Cannon stated, “By broadening existing oversight to both the Executive and Council, we are creating a greater level of transparency and objectivity, which is especially critical in regard to the nature of caring for our most vulnerable citizens – the Wicomico Nursing Home resi dents.”
The Wicomico Nursing Home is considered by residents as their “home”. They depend on oth ers to provide reliable, compassionate care. Their families deserve answers, and employees deserve to have their concerns heard and addressed. The Council believes it is incumbent for all County leadership to work cooperatively to address these issues promptly and keep the well-being of residents at the center of every decision.
The well-being, safety, and dignity of our residents must take precedence over political considerations or aspirations.
The Wicomico County Council remains committed to protecting residents, supporting employees, and strengthening oversight of the Wicomico Nursing Home.
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Contact: Wicomico County Council Administrator (410-546-4696)
Excellent!
The accountability and transparency to other than just the executive IS needed!
While we need the Executive position – we need a different person filling it.
Having seen the democrat candidate in action – he is not it either…we lost our chance at the primary… Maybe next cycle we can have a primary candidate!
Anon 3:11 pm
Please explain why Wicomico County needs a County Executive??
Wicomico County ran perfectly fine for 139 years with out a County Executive and and then in 2006 things took a crap in Wicomico County. Julie Giordano occupied that position in 2022 and in those 4 years she increase the counties budget by $61 Million dollars and you think that is Ok?
As far as your comment saying that Earnest Davis “is not it either??” I will take Mr. Davis over Julie any day and then we can replace him in 2030 with a real Conservative Candidate and not some RINO like Queen Julie who increased out budget by $61 million dollars while our tax payers are struggling. Mr. Davis in not the best option but he is the better option and that is why this Republican is voting for him. Queen Julie and her Delegate appointment to replace Cornbread Anderton wants to remove the Revenue Cap in Wicomico County and if you think $61 million dollars is bad, just wait until the Revenue Cap is taken away from us.
The best option is a council/manager form of government and to hire a professional as the county administrator and let them run the county with the oversight of the 7 council members. The council manager form of government is the best option and that is why the majority of the 23 counties in the State of Maryland run their counties that way.
Again Anon 3:11 pm, convince us why we need the county executive.
VETOOF needs to be corrected to *VETO OF, my friend.
“The over ride passed by a vote of 6-0, with Councilman James Winn absent.”
How convenient for James Winn to be absent on this vote. He knows that he and his Queen Julie are wrong and the citizens will remember this on November 3.