The Mayor Presents The Larson's Once Again! I Present The Bogarts

The Larsons Family, A Continuing Drama

Pat and Mary Larsons, still enjoying their early retirement in the city they chose to call home, continued their volunteer work through the winter months. Improvements to their historic home, school events, and family obligations occupied the family during the cold days of winter. Their son, Drew, while involved in the Skate Park fundraising efforts, became acquainted with a rockclimbing enthusiast. After much encouragement, Drew convinced his parents, along with his sister, Kate, to take a
rock-climbing course from local instructors in an indoor training area. The Larsons were hooked. Their newfound hobby led them on several weekend trips to the mountains of Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Finding new climbing areas within reasonable driving distance became increasingly difficult, and the Larsons began to ponder the possibility of an indoor climbing business in Salisbury. While researching their options, the Larsons discovered that many grain silos in the Midwest had been converted into rock-climbing arenas. Not aware of any available grain silos in the area, Mary’s eyes looked up and realized the opportunity presenting itself, towering over the Downtown landscape. “The old water standpipe is tall enough and is certainly
visible enough to draw climbers’ interest,” Mary suggests. “It could be a win-win for
Downtown Salisbury…a climbing arena to draw out-of-town enthusiasts to the area, an adaptive re-use of a maintenance liability with little or no cost to the City, and a
really great entertainment opportunity for the local residents. And what a view from
the top, I’ll bet!”

Meanwhile, the Bogart Family have been experiencing hardship in their Salisbury household. Mr. Bogart just lost his job after working for the City for 20 years as an IT person for the Fire Department. Even though Mr. Bogart could sit at the computer daily and serve in a position he loves, the City chose to force Mr. Bogart into retirement because he injured himself on a failed piece of equipment.

Mrs. Bogart is now working as much overtime as she can because retirement certainly isn't enough for the Bogart Family to survive on, especially after their recent 14% tax increase and water and sewer rates unexpectedly going through the roof. The Bogart's also LOST their Families health insurance plan because it cost too much to take on the plan provided by the City.

Today, the Bogart's received a letter in the mail that their homeowners insurance and auto insurance rates were going to increase due to the high rate of crime in Salisbury. It seems the Bogart's are in a lose/lose situation in a City they devoted their lives to.

As for the Silo, kiss my a$$! Trying to do something for the community at this point and time is simply too late Mayor Tilghman. You will leave Office with a legacy of Developer Reimbursements and taxing the Citizens until they could no longer afford to live here. You will leave this Office knowing you have absolutely screwed ANY and ALL employees who dedicated their lives to serving the City of Salisbury and were injured on the job, mainly the departments they worked in!