I wrote this post last week and neglected to post it. As I was watching the Wicomico County Council meeting this morning I was again reminded at the great chasm between how our County government behaves towards its citizens (and the minority members of council) versus the approach taken by the Salisbury City Council "leadership". -
Someone from outside Wicomico County will read this and probably think that I'm crazy. Go almost anywhere else in the country to attend a public hearing or a council meeting and you'll probably be treated with courtesy and respect. However, if you make a habit of attending (or watching) both Salisbury City Council meetings and Wicomico County Council meetings the difference is stark.
Let's use Wicomico County Council's public hearing Tuesday night as an example. Council President John Cannon asked the public to limit their remarks to two or three minutes. Very few of us did. Yet, were speakers interrupted? The closest thing to an interruption came when two separate speakers went on for quite some time. In the first case, Cannon politely asked the gentleman to wrap things up after speaking for over ten minutes. In the second case, Cannon stated that he would appreciate it if the speaker would wrap things up, but that he would certainly be given the opportunity to speak again after the other speakers had an opportunity to have their say.
For over two hours seven council members, County Attorney Ed Baker, and council staff sat quietly and listened to their constituents. As I stated earlier, people from outside of Wicomico County would think that I'm crazy for applauding council members for doing their job. That's exactly what our elected officials are supposed to do, right?
Well, if you watch or attend Salisbury Council meetings then a Wicomico Council meeting seems to be something from another universe.
At Salisbury Council meetings you are able to witness gavel happy Councilwoman Louise Smith constantly interrupting the two Councilwomen who don't happen to march to Mayor Barrie Tilghman's drum. If you are a member of the public, make sure that you agree with Tilghman, Smith and their cohorts. If not, you'll be interrupted (at best), gaveled down, thrown out, or even threatened with arrest. Smith is even foolish enough to put some of her threats in writing.
If you happen to agree with Smith (read Tilghman), you are allowed to speak ad nauseum. If not, you are usually cut off.
The differences between the two bodies is like night and day. Perhaps that's one reason why Wicomico County is beginning to get its fiscal house in order and Salisbury can't balance its own checkbook.
Note: Before someone comments about the recent landfill scandal, remember that this began under the old regime and was finally uncovered.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, Wicomico, politics, Salisbury politics, Wicomico politics, John Cannon, Louise Smith, Barrie Tilghman
Someone from outside Wicomico County will read this and probably think that I'm crazy. Go almost anywhere else in the country to attend a public hearing or a council meeting and you'll probably be treated with courtesy and respect. However, if you make a habit of attending (or watching) both Salisbury City Council meetings and Wicomico County Council meetings the difference is stark.
Let's use Wicomico County Council's public hearing Tuesday night as an example. Council President John Cannon asked the public to limit their remarks to two or three minutes. Very few of us did. Yet, were speakers interrupted? The closest thing to an interruption came when two separate speakers went on for quite some time. In the first case, Cannon politely asked the gentleman to wrap things up after speaking for over ten minutes. In the second case, Cannon stated that he would appreciate it if the speaker would wrap things up, but that he would certainly be given the opportunity to speak again after the other speakers had an opportunity to have their say.
For over two hours seven council members, County Attorney Ed Baker, and council staff sat quietly and listened to their constituents. As I stated earlier, people from outside of Wicomico County would think that I'm crazy for applauding council members for doing their job. That's exactly what our elected officials are supposed to do, right?
Well, if you watch or attend Salisbury Council meetings then a Wicomico Council meeting seems to be something from another universe.
At Salisbury Council meetings you are able to witness gavel happy Councilwoman Louise Smith constantly interrupting the two Councilwomen who don't happen to march to Mayor Barrie Tilghman's drum. If you are a member of the public, make sure that you agree with Tilghman, Smith and their cohorts. If not, you'll be interrupted (at best), gaveled down, thrown out, or even threatened with arrest. Smith is even foolish enough to put some of her threats in writing.
If you happen to agree with Smith (read Tilghman), you are allowed to speak ad nauseum. If not, you are usually cut off.
The differences between the two bodies is like night and day. Perhaps that's one reason why Wicomico County is beginning to get its fiscal house in order and Salisbury can't balance its own checkbook.
Note: Before someone comments about the recent landfill scandal, remember that this began under the old regime and was finally uncovered.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, Wicomico, politics, Salisbury politics, Wicomico politics, John Cannon, Louise Smith, Barrie Tilghman
12 comments:
My thoughts exactly!!! The respect and courtesy that the county council affords its citizens could not be farther from the utter contempt and rude behavior exhibited by the 3/5ths of the city council and the mayor. Barrie Tilghman is allowed to interrupt, she is allowed all the time in the world to blather on to try and cover her a$$, when in fact she really has no more right to speak than anyone else. And how much time do they waste looking blankly at each other and passing the busk to each other--John, do you know? Mr. Wilber do you know? I hope more people realise the lack of integrity that the mayor and 3/5ths of the council exhibit at EVERY city council meeting and work session. SHAME ON YOU, you have made the democratic process a sham.
Joe:
In Pocomoke City they send a uniformed police officer to your home as a follow up a day or two later.
The cops usually ask why you don't leave it alone or call them.
Salisbury is a shining example of open government compared to what the citizens of P-city live with day in adn day out.
Only respectable people show respect. It's as simple as that.
BTW, have any of the SBY councilpeople heard of Robert's Rules of Order? It's a handly little system to run meetings by...
Hopefully these disrespectful council members will get tired of being beat up, figuratively, and move out of public office while they have a choice. Otherwise the voters will have to take care of the "cleansing" necessary to bring this city back.
Ditto.
I was extremely impressed with how both the council and the citizens conducted themselves. As you said, the council sat there quietly while the citizens spoke. The citizens were quite well-spoken and many seemed to have put some time in to research their position before getting up to speak.
It was a beautiful thing to see. And an effective exercise in government by and for the people, based on the results so far. Kudos to all those who were involved in that forum.
I would love to see the citizens of Salisbury become as involved and start attending the city council meetings. We need to pack that room every week.
The City Council meetings are disgraceful for reasons we are already all too familiar with. Mrs. Smith should take a lesson from Mr. Cannon in LISTENING for a change instead of hastily interrupting and speaking to her colleagues and constituents like children. She has absolutely NO CONTROL over herself or the meetings. But, it appears the majority relish the chaos and the squelching of anyone who dares to dig for the truth. We, as citizens of the city and still living in a democracy owe it to ourselves to stay informed, and not let the status quo continue to run rough-shod over us.
I would also like to voice my support for Terry Cohen for her perseverence. She is exactly the type of person that should be serving the public interest.
Nalagirl
i ask again, Joe - you and your crews have worked very hard to bring the crap that exists in barrieland. i just can't understand why the citizens of salisbury don't descend en masse to the council meetings to witness this nonsense for themselves, and put a stop this biotch and her posse!!!
last night I watched PAC 14 and observed the goverment in action. Now as a professional, and a well versed public speaker I must say that there are two people who feel like it is their place to lecture, direct, put down and just generally be rude to everyone but each other. I agree that the points they make are valid and important but the delivery is just obnoxious, the tone condecending. There are two who I think would serve the taxpaying public better if they decided to be more plesant in their request. Last night there was more "I,I,I,I" I want I demand I want it like this , what I want is a media dump"
Might I suggest the whole group attend a Dale Carnige course together? Joe might pay for it even if he can attend. Personally they have excellent ideals and ask legit questions, but maybe they should "Check their tone " somewhat.
Hey Joe, I didn't realize Salisbury was so crazy...good thing I don't live there. And what's this I hear about you getting Andy Harris to move to Delawhere? Maryland is still way better
Yees, GA I too noticed the stark contrast between the two units of government. Best we do away with the city group and have the county council run the show from now on.
Question for Anon 1:22: Just who are the two your refering to? If its Dbbie and Terry, you have it all wrong! They are the only shining lights on that city council. All the rest are FOB's and not worth a nickle of our time or concern!
A. Goetz
Dear 1:22 Anon...
I, too, am a (retired) professional whose livelihood depended on public speaking. I don't know if March 24 is the only city council meeting you have watched, but your impression of the evening and mine are quite different.
If you heard an unusual number of "I this, I that" from Cohen and Campbell, it is because they were being accused of one thing after another and have had information WITHHELD from them. I find it incredible that our elected officials are barred from information that is necessary for them to do their duty.
Despite what for them may have been an usual number of first person comments (I didn't find the use of it unusually high), they managed to hold some semblance of composure through the attacks.
Have you ever given a presentation and been heckled, Mr. or Ms. Anon 1:22? I have. Most times, you do not respond. On occasion, you must or lose control of your presentation. But you must do so with in a firm, but composed manner.
I applaud these ladies for their perseverance. This was one time it would have been wholly inappropriate to let the hecklers, aka, their 3 council colleagues, continue unanswered.
For those who would say that is what Mrs. Smith is doing with the citizens, nonsense. No one is heckling Mrs. Smith, but merely saying what she does not want to hear. Nor is she retaining her composure. Every bang of the gavel and failure to recognize points of order at the time they are raised is another loss of composure.
Certainly, shutting down a meeting because you can't control a crowd amused at the hypocrisy of breaking your own rules is not composure.
Mr. or Ms. Anon 1:22, I suggest you watch on a regular basis. The rest of the story involves the number of times the administration has fudged the information, brought things to council for approval that were already "done" and general arrogance in response to the polite requests of these two council members. The council and administration even had to reverse themselves on matters where they represented things one way when they were another.
I, for one, am awestruck by the lack of simple adult behavior from the council majority of Salisbury. Someone should inform Mr. Comegys that his oratory is the one thing transparent in Salisbury City Government. It and he can be seen for what they are.
Comegys loves to spout off clever redneck antecdotes like Larry the cable guy--only he's not funny. What a freaking moron Gary Comegys is!!
Great post G.A. Kudos to the county executive and council for giving the public the respect we don't get much at city council meetings. Besides, most county meetings are during the day when a lot of people can't attend, so allowing the public the opportunity speak, even over the 2-3 minutes was fair. I've always found John a cordial person and have never seen him disrespect anyone.
This also goes to the entire council Stevie, Gail, Joe, Bill, John, Sheree and David as well. I just feel that this council is leaps and bounds above the previous council. I truly think that their intentions are just like ours, improve our over all quality of life using smart growth, environmental protection and keep open space here on Delmarva, that is really what brings people here.
I agree with your addition about the landfill, was a time and not that long ago that something like that would have been swept under the rug, and tight lips afraid of getting arrested or made to look bad would make sure it stayed that way. GOB GOOD OLE BOYS. This occasion seems like as much as can be put forward at this time, let justice run it's course. They may have to change venues for a jury not comprised of irate Wicomico county citizens that would just as soon lynch'um, lets just hope the penalty fits the crime.
I think the public expects more information, however until the grand jury meets and indictments are handed down the details have to be with held to prevent a mistrial, lawsuit or the releasing the names of whistle blowers that puts them in a pinch. I can wait for the details, get those "T's" crossed and those "i's" dotted, cuff'um and book'um Dano~!
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