HdG Mainstay Resigns from Main Street

Havre de Grace Main Street board members received notice Friday that a major player in the city's downtown district resigned from the organization.

"Even though I feel Main Street is a very worthwhile organization, I believe the board has lost its moral compass," Daniel Lee, owner of MacGregor's, wrote in a letter of resignation to the Main Street board of directors.

"...allowing a convicted felon, child molester, to sit on the board of an organization that sponsors functions that attract children is unconscionable," Lee continued.

Main Street held its annual elections earlier this year and installed new officers, listed here. Lee did not name the person in question in his letter but he expressed his discontent.

"A felon can't own a gun, can't go out of the country, can't vote, can't hold a public office, yet they put him on the board of an organization that is going to attract kids," Lee told Patch in a Friday morning interview at MacGregor's, which has been open for more than 26 years.

In addition to promoting economic development and local businesses, Main Street organizes events in downtown Havre de Grace like First Fridays and Graw Days, both of which attract large crowds, including families.

When Patch attempted to reach Havre de Grace Main Street President Charlie Hiner by phone Friday afternoon, a person who identified himself as "Charlie" said he was "too busy to comment" on the issue of Main Street.

Hiner later told Patch that another Charlie in his office answered the phone. "My comment is that you did not speak to me," Hiner said. "My comment would’ve been 'No comment,' not 'I’m too busy to comment,'" Hiner said.

Lee, who in addition to being a restauranteur is a father of three, said: "It's a moral issue for me—I can't belong to an organization where they allow a convicted pedophile to have a say in events that are for children. It's basically unconscionable....We can no longer support Main Street."

This article has been updated to reflect statements from Main Street President Charlie Hiner.