Barrie's Latest Scam

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!