Tilghman Administration Puts Taxpayer First, for Once

We are often accused of being unfair to the administration of Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman and her unwaveringly loyal council leadership. It is true that we often bring attention to the various actions of this group when they are not in the best interests of the good people forced to pay for the folly of Tilghman, et al.

Recently, the Tilghman administration managed to save the taxpayers some money. The question has been raised, repeatedly, as to why the city chose to avoid the state bond pool and use another method in borrowing for the city's capital projects. By borrowing directly from a bank, the city saved its taxpayers approximately $56,000 in underwriting costs (we don't know whether any money would have been saved on the interest rate itself, but must assume that the rates would have been comparable).

This information only came to light because of the dogged questioning of Salisbury Councilwoman Debbie Campbell. The administration's past refusal (or inability) to provide adequate answers to these questions lead us to a couple of conclusions:

1. The city, and its citizens, would be far better served if the administration would provide accurate and timely responses to questions. It should not have taken nearly a dozen questions (at one meeting) and independent research by Campbell to determine the cost benefit of one borrowing method vs. another.
2. The Tilghman administration would serve itself, and most importantly its constituents, better by cutting back on the arrogance and resigning itself to the fact that there are those of us who demand a little evidence when an elected official takes action or makes a claim. Mayor Tilghman loves to tell the media that she "has to deal in facts", yet she consistently refuses to share these "facts" with the public at large. Therefore, those of us that are naturally skeptical feel the need to dig a little deeper.
3. To mangle a line from the late Otis Redding, "Try a little openess". A key example is the city's decision to use the City Attorney's office as an excuse to hide information. By claiming that every piece of information that flows through Mr. Wilber's office we can only conclude that the city is trying to hide something (whether that is true or not).
   
4. Understand the concept that opinion does not constitute fact. Given that most of the issues debated in government fall in the realm of opinion, providing empirical (and hopefully objective) evidence to support one's opinion serves the administration, the citizens, and civil discourse in general.

Contrary to the opinion of the administration, discrediting the Barrie Tilghman administration is not a holy cause. However, given the administration's determination to restrict access to information (to citizens and even elected officials) they should not be shocked when certain citizens prefer to act as if they are from Missouri. Given the determination of Councilwoman Louise Smith to ram legislation through without adequate questioning and debate the administration should not be surprised when some citizens feel that they, and the process, are being cheated.

Many of these problems could be averted simply by opening up the process and being willing to answer a few questions.

cross posted at Delmarva Dealings


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