The following are comments I gave during the debate over the FY2009 Salisbury city budget at Monday night's City Council meeting:
I had not planned on coming to speak this evening. However, I had a job in Lewes this morning and on my way home I found myself driving on the John J. Williams Highway. It’s quite possible that no one here except for Louise and I know who John J. Williams was.
Sen. John Williams served the people of Delaware in the United States Senate from 1949 until his voluntary retirement from elected office in 1970. He was also, if I am not mistaken, Louise’s uncle.
Sen. Williams was truly a giant. He was a true conservative of the old school. He believed in free markets, rather than government subsidy; a man who TRULY believed in limited government and the separation of powers. He fought waste, corruption and bureaucracy wherever he found it. Sen. John Williams was one of the greatest fiscal watchdogs of the 20th century.
Upon passage of this budget tonight, I wonder what the Senator would say? I am quite confident that he would be ashamed, both of his kin and her cohorts.
Why? For two reasons.
First, this budget is rank with rotten food to nourish the bureaucracy of this administration. When more money is spent on the Mayor’s office than on street repair one can only conclude EITHER that there are no potholes in the city of Salisbury OR that the administration AND a majority of this council care more about some sick sense of power than on serving the citizens who elected them.
When this council CHOOSES to spend $100,000 more on legal expenses than the much larger county government does, this is a symptom of a disease that will wreck this city. When this administration CANNOT even balance its own checkbook, and a majority of this council refuses to address the problem, this city sits on a precipice from which the fall is most likely fatal.
Second, and most importantly, this council takes the final step tonight in ceding ALL meaningful power to the Executive. Legislation, which should be more accurately called Mayoral Dictate, is done by RUBBER STAMP. There is no oversight because a majority of this council falsely claims that such oversight would be MICROMANAGING the city. And tonight, a majority of this council will approve what they claim to be a “PROGRAM BUDGET”. This budget provides for no authority of this council to stop the mayor from spending TAXPAYER funds in almost any way she sees fit.
When Mr. Comegys tells the public, through the Daily Times, that specific cuts were made in the budget he is being false. The simple fact is that you have only reduced the gross amount of money that the Mayor can spend. She can still hand out the raises you claimed were cut. She can still have her “Citizen Attitude Survey”. She can still have her T-Shirts and fancy bottles of water. She just has to give up spending $40,000 somewhere else.
The charter calls for a Mayor and a City Council for a reason. The council is to provide checks and balances to the power of a strong mayor. Unfortunately for the citizens of this once fine city, they have three of you to thank for waking up tomorrow living under an authoritarian regime.
Legislative bodies have taken up arms to prevent the usurpation of the people’s branch of government (and that is what you are supposed to be) which you three have handed over gladly. I wonder Louise. What would Sen. Williams say?
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
I had not planned on coming to speak this evening. However, I had a job in Lewes this morning and on my way home I found myself driving on the John J. Williams Highway. It’s quite possible that no one here except for Louise and I know who John J. Williams was.
Sen. John Williams served the people of Delaware in the United States Senate from 1949 until his voluntary retirement from elected office in 1970. He was also, if I am not mistaken, Louise’s uncle.
Sen. Williams was truly a giant. He was a true conservative of the old school. He believed in free markets, rather than government subsidy; a man who TRULY believed in limited government and the separation of powers. He fought waste, corruption and bureaucracy wherever he found it. Sen. John Williams was one of the greatest fiscal watchdogs of the 20th century.
Upon passage of this budget tonight, I wonder what the Senator would say? I am quite confident that he would be ashamed, both of his kin and her cohorts.
Why? For two reasons.
First, this budget is rank with rotten food to nourish the bureaucracy of this administration. When more money is spent on the Mayor’s office than on street repair one can only conclude EITHER that there are no potholes in the city of Salisbury OR that the administration AND a majority of this council care more about some sick sense of power than on serving the citizens who elected them.
When this council CHOOSES to spend $100,000 more on legal expenses than the much larger county government does, this is a symptom of a disease that will wreck this city. When this administration CANNOT even balance its own checkbook, and a majority of this council refuses to address the problem, this city sits on a precipice from which the fall is most likely fatal.
Second, and most importantly, this council takes the final step tonight in ceding ALL meaningful power to the Executive. Legislation, which should be more accurately called Mayoral Dictate, is done by RUBBER STAMP. There is no oversight because a majority of this council falsely claims that such oversight would be MICROMANAGING the city. And tonight, a majority of this council will approve what they claim to be a “PROGRAM BUDGET”. This budget provides for no authority of this council to stop the mayor from spending TAXPAYER funds in almost any way she sees fit.
When Mr. Comegys tells the public, through the Daily Times, that specific cuts were made in the budget he is being false. The simple fact is that you have only reduced the gross amount of money that the Mayor can spend. She can still hand out the raises you claimed were cut. She can still have her “Citizen Attitude Survey”. She can still have her T-Shirts and fancy bottles of water. She just has to give up spending $40,000 somewhere else.
The charter calls for a Mayor and a City Council for a reason. The council is to provide checks and balances to the power of a strong mayor. Unfortunately for the citizens of this once fine city, they have three of you to thank for waking up tomorrow living under an authoritarian regime.
Legislative bodies have taken up arms to prevent the usurpation of the people’s branch of government (and that is what you are supposed to be) which you three have handed over gladly. I wonder Louise. What would Sen. Williams say?
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
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When I recall the City Council election last year and how "the weasel" conned me and many others into supporting her, I get nauseated. It's too bad that the Senator is not available to confront her on this earth.
ReplyDeleteLouise will make Senator Williams proud when she and Barrie get the "All-American City" stamp of approval for Salisbury! So let's spend lots of city funds to do that -- the hell with the roads.
ReplyDeleteI don't read this blog. It is way too negative. It is posted for simple people. It is posted for people who don't have a life.
ReplyDeleteI cannot conclude why "Louise what would Uncle John Say"
Unless, it's meant for humor. I missed it.
12:02 -
ReplyDelete"I don't read this blog."
You need to get some truth serum, as well as "a life."
Sen. John J. Williams would say, Louise who?
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:02 if you don't read this blog one would have to wonder why the hell you would be commenting on it?
Try reading PerezHilton. It is much more entertaining. They even show some private parts sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAnon12:02 knows how to generate comments.
ReplyDelete12:02 gives the administration a break. That's a good thing
"I don't read this blog. It is way too negative."
ReplyDeleteHi Gary, welcome to Salisbury News.
G.A., saw you last night.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this.
Sen. Williams would not only roll over in his grave at Louise's fiscal practices, he would spin off the earth's axis at WHAT A LIAR SHE IS!
I didn't know the Senator, but I know Louise conned the taxpayers and her fellow candidates Cohen and Spies when she ran on honesty and "government in the sunshine." Whether she admits it or not, she allowed herself to be aligned with them and what they stood for and then "turned." She is the most despicable of rats, the sneaky kind. At least the mayor, Comegys and Shields are stupid and liars from the outset; Louise was a "mole" who turned rat and deserves the term "weasel."
ReplyDeleteAnon 102, its a good thing you called Louise a liar anonymously otherwise, she would have to seek your address out and send you a letter. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat would Uncle John say?
ReplyDeleteUncle John would say:
"You're a despicable wretch, Louise, a liar, and a disgrace to the family."
"Don't ever invoke my name again."
Donna:
ReplyDeleteDon't you think that the lovely Lore Chambers would do that letter for the weasel.
Did you hear her Lore's BS last night about that TIF subsidy for the old mall? Is she getting that $8,000 raise?
"Louise - What Would Uncle John Say?"
ReplyDeleteLOUWEASEL!
It really doesn't matter who wrote the letter it was signed by LOUISE SMITH. I've received a letter from Lore before. She was very straight and to the point answering questions asked and nothing more. Like going to an FAQ section of a website.
ReplyDeleteAlthough she answered Tim Spies questions, I don't think she put everyone's mind at ease. Debbie Campbell asked the right question concerning the interest. Is it accruing or deferred? Of course it was one of those "we'll find out and get back to you" answers.
Oh well, such is life in Salisbarrie.
Who cares what he would say -- here's what we say:
ReplyDeleteI WANT MY VOTE BACK!
How she can sit there and take all the condemning looks and comments from the tax payers who get to the Council meetings, is beyond me. You would think the weasel would show upset in some fashion. Since she doesn't, usually, it must be she is too thick to realize how much people hate her for being such a turn-coat. She sure pulled the old wool over our eyes and minds during the last elections. But, her day will come and just what will she do when we elect a new mayor in April?!
ReplyDeleteA. Goetz
He would say (in my best Dan Akyroyd impression) Louise, you stupid s**t.
ReplyDeleteFor those of you to young to know that is from a Saturday Night Live Skit with Jane Curtin and Dan Akyroyd.
A. Goetz, you always see things the way they are, and make sensible comments. I commend you. Too many people would be retaliated against if I use my name, but I always appreciate that you and Joe tell it like it is and that you understand what Cohen and Campbell do for this community.
ReplyDeleteIs that Citizen Attitude Survey an independent study or another shell game?
ReplyDelete