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We may not be witnessing Barrie Tilghman’s last scam as mayor, but it could be the final whopper. And it is that, her role model (Hillary Clinton) could be proud of the maneuver that began a month ago when Barrie presented her proposed budget that had no increase in the sewer or water rates. Predictably, the mainstream media reacted like well trained seals to sardines.
But then sharper eyes saw her statement in the “budget message” that she wanted to collaborate with the Council on the rates before the budget was adopted. And word began leaking that the administration would be asking for a big rate increase.
Smoke became fire on May 8, when the Council held its scheduled work session to discuss the sewer and water budget. Barrie must have been otherwise engaged if not indisposed – she did not attend the work session. But the head of the Public Works Department, Jim Caldwell, and Doreen Turner of that Department discussed various “scenarios” based on the financial forecasting model that Ms. Turner has developed. Under each of them there would be a sizeable rate increase. Under the scenario that Mr. Caldwell recommended, about it would be 50% over the next few years, beginning as soon as possible.
Faced with a conflicted administration two members of the Council (Ms. Campbell and Ms. Cohen) proposed that they should ask the Mayor to discuss her proposal of no increase in rates in light of the financial forecast scenarios, but Mr. Comegys and Ms. Smith opposed doing so. But that was not the outcome – apparently the mayor decided to address the situation with the Council, and that meeting has occurred on May 20.
And we now have a brand new budget proposed by Barrie Tilghman just before the public hearing on the budget that has been scheduled late in the process, leaving no meaningful opportunity for the public to consider the situation or plan to attend and speak at the hearing.
Hey, Salisbury, YOU’VE BEEN SNOOKERED once again!
9 comments:
How did the water department get from a $8 million surplus last year to a predicted $4 million deficit next year? Something smells and it aint sardines.
What the HELL has this woman been spending our money on? Other places aren't jacking their taxes or rates like last year or this year.
What the HELL has our money gone for?
So, in this election year the mayor tries to make herself look like this was not her idea, but the council's or the director's..shouldn't she have know this information from the public works director well before she presented her budget a month ago? I guess if you want to get re-elected you make it appear that you didn't raise taxes or fees. If she didn't, it makes you wonder how much money is hidding out there like there was last year?? Who the heck knows how much money is sitting in an account somewhere waiting to be found...Stuff like this makes it very difficult to TRUST your local government. I smell a SCAM...
Caldwell already asked for a hike, about 4 weeks ago at a city council meeting. She's fooling nobody.
With all the empty homes here in the city, this is not going to help attract people to this town. Might force many out though.
People need to show up at the Public Hearing tonight at 6.
Even if just to say, "I'm sick of this Sh*t."
Games, games, games.
Thank you again Joe,
Folks, please please come to the pulbic meeting.
What does it take to get the citizens to react? High Crime? you have it, water polution, you have it, deterioration of the infastructure, you have it, high taxes? you have them, high rental occupancy? you have it. No jobs?, you have none.
Does that mean anything to you?
The reason is that very very few speak up, very very few seem to care. I will say it is a lesson in Apathy.
Don't give up on your city! Fight to take it back!
Speak up now so you don't hear "those" council people say you don't care.
Just one more election to clean house and turn things around.
A better Salisbury can be had, but folks, it depends on you. Stop ACCEPTING their done deals!
I came, I saw, I regurgitated LoL
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