Once Again, City Elections Embroiled in Controversy

(Photo: Richard Friend)

The city elections in 2023 became an embarrassing mess for Laurel when accusations against former Mayor Craig Moe were levied by some candidates who alleged the city interfered with their campaigns based on antagonistic relationships with the former mayor. Some of the issues cited against the candidates concerned the timing of campaign signs being placed around town and their removal. That episode prompted a comprehensive review and edit of election regulations within the city code by the current City Council.

So here we are two years later and, once again, the city elections that will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 4, are embroiled in another embarrassing mess that, ironically, started with an issue concerning campaign signs. What had been a quiet election cycle, with all but one current councilmember running uncontested, quickly morphed into a cascade of insults, accusations, confusion, and criminal charges between councilmembers.

Allegations of a Sign-Stealing Conspiracy

On October 25, Councilmember Jeffrey Mills began posting photos and video footage that he claimed showed evidence of a conspiracy against him. The footage was time-stamped 10:38 a.m. on October 23 and shows Joshua Kole (husband of councilmember James Kole) removing two election signs that had been on display outside the Sunoco station at the corner of Montgomery Street and Route 1. Both the video and close-up photographs from the gas station clearly show that it was Joshua. One sign was a 4 ft.-by-7 ft. banner for at-large candidate Brencis Smith, stretched between two poles; Joshua Kole is seen using a knife to cut the ropes holding up the sign. He then can be seen pulling up a smaller yard sign, stuck into the ground, for Jeffrey Mills. The video shows him putting both into the trunk of his car and driving off.

Mills became aware of his missing sign and went to the gas station on October 25 to view the footage. He then filed criminal charges against James Kole that same day in the District Court for Prince George’s County in Hyattsville. A summons was issued to James Kole for “theft less than $100” and a preliminary inquiry hearing was set for December 8. Two days later, a similar complaint was issued to Joshua Kole.

Mills Fans the Flames

Mills then took to social media, posting in almost 90 Facebook groups—some of them Laurel-focused and many that were not. Mills’ posts said: “City of Laurel campaign sign theft. DON’T VOTE FOR KONSPIRACY KOLE.” He often attached a photo of James Kole that had been altered to show him wearing a red cape and red devil’s horns, holding a pitchfork, with flames all around him. On several of the posts, Mills wrote, “Hate Crime made by a Whiteman in the City of Laurel by removing two Blackmens political campaign signs on October 23rd 2025 in broad day light.” The text was followed by several hashtags used to make things go viral on social media, including #blacklivesmatter and #blackpoliticalpower.

Mills also wrote to the City of Laurel’s Ethics Commission, informing them of the incident and sent a copy of that email to Voices of Laurel. In the email, he stated, “This is a hate crime and is theft and Councilman James Kole [s]hould be reprimanded for conspiracy and theft.”

When contacted by Voices of Laurel to explain his actions on social media, specifically his categorization of the episode as a “hate crime,” Mills said, “I'm just trolling.” He also said, "Is it a hate crime? I know it ain’t a goddamn hate crime. The idiot took the signs to his house.”

When asked if he was going to continue with the criminal complaint against James Kole, since the video at the gas station shows he was not there, Mills replied, “You're damn right I am.” Mills told Voices of Laurel that he intends to prove a conspiracy by the Koles.

James Kole told Voices of Laurel that his attorney advised him to withhold comment for now.

As for Brencis Smith, he told us that he had no comment on the whole episode because he feels it’s all unprofessional, bad for the City of Laurel, and he doesn’t want to be associated with it.

Even More Confusion

To further confuse things before the election, during early voting at the Joseph R. Robison Municipal Center on Saturday, November 1, the city removed dozens of campaign signs for Sheila Mills Carroll (Jeff Mills’ sister), who had publicly withdrawn from the race back in September. She had been campaigning to represent Ward 1, which is currently represented by James Kole and Adrian Simmons, who are both running for reelection. When she withdrew, it became an uncontested race for Ward 1.

In her statement to Voices of Laurel on Sept. 24, Carroll wrote, “After careful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to step back from my candidacy for Laurel City Council, Ward 1. An unforeseen life event requires my full attention right now, and out of respect for our community, I cannot continue my candidacy under these circumstances. While my name will remain on the ballot due to filing deadlines, I will not be campaigning or seeking election this November. Any campaign materials or social media activity that may appear do not reflect my current intentions. I am sincerely grateful for the encouragement and support I’ve received throughout this process.” Even though there was no formal withdrawal by Carroll, it was too late to remove a candidate from the ballot.

But a few hours after the removal of Carroll’s signs at early voting, Jeff Mills put them back in the ground at the municipal center. Once again, local social media was bombarded with residents asking, “Is she running or not? What’s going on?”

At the early voting site at the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center on Saturday, Carroll told Voices of Laurel that she wants “to let the voters decide.” That same day, Jeff Mills began posting on social media that, “Sheila Mills Carroll made a statement a month ago due to a health matter that has been resolved” and that she is back in the race.

Vote!

Even with the current dysfunction and confusion, we urge Laurel citizens to go to the polls to vote. More than ever, every vote is important.

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Staff writer Diane Mezzanotte contributed to this article.