Muir Boda Sends Salisbury News His Goals For Running For City Council

So here are my positions on some of the major issues that face our city:

North Prong Revitalization Plan: I am against the plan put forward by the
group of people that didn’t show up. No doubt the North Prong area is not the
prettiest thing to look at, we all know that. This Strategic Revitalization Plan
was simply another waste of money that we sent across the bay to Baltimore. Do
we not have qualified people here in Salisbury who could do this work? I feel it
needs to be zoned light industrial and we should respect the rights of those
businesses to exist that are there. I am still befuddled as to why there is a
Marina in the plans. With all the controversy over the Bridge, that must have
private joke by Gary and the Mayor.

Unfinished Business: 1.) We need to figure out the deal with downtown. 2.)
We need a maintenance plan that is effective and stays on top bad streets and
sidewalks. We shouldn’t wait until they are crumbling. 3.) Once this lawsuit is
over on the Old Mall lot, it needs to be dealt with, done, finished. No more
lawsuits, let’s get it finished.

Fiscal Responsibility: The amount of debt this city is carrying needs to be
the number one fiscal priority, right now! We have no business carrying that
much debt. People often brag about their big degrees, all the committees and
organizations they belong to and we still end up with large amounts of debt,
wasteful spending, and poor organizational skills. We keep electing these people
and hiring them into these positions and we keep getting the same old thing.
Also, what is John Pick doing? As the city administrator, how could he let this
get out of control.

We need to immediately freeze all discretionary spending. We need all to look
at the budget and there may have to be some sacred cows sacrificed. The other
thing I don’t understand is what antiquated system are running that we can’t
look at our figures when we want? At Wal-Mart we get monthly reports showing us
a breakdown on everything. We get weekly reports showing us where need to focus.
Home Office can look at anything at anytime. I don’t understand why it takes so
long to get answers.

Crime: Well, I haven’t figured what Gary means by community policing. I am
not sure what the purpose is of the Crime Task Force or what effect it has had
on crime. Hookers are still flagging down johns on 13, drugs are being dealt in
various hot spots, vandalism is getting bad, and the gang situation is a growing
concern of citizens.

1.) I believe our crime situation reflects a national problem. Authority
needs to be returned to the classroom, there is no respect for teachers. Parents
also need to take responsibility for raising their children, so many parents
think their kids do no wrong. I was always I told growing up if you get in
trouble at school, you’ll get when you get home.

2.) Lack of involvement of Churches and civic organizations is a much needed
element. We need community leaders to step up and daily fight for the hearts and
minds of our children. Developing a strong Neighborhood watch system in all
neighborhoods.

3.) Aggressive patrols and investigation. Staffing patrols much heavier at
times of higher crime periods. Thinking like a business would - you want to
schedule the people and the best at peak business times.

Empowering our investigation units to break up gangs and drug dealing
organizations. No doubt the drug issue is a national issue because of the failed
policies of the War on Drugs, which has only resulted in more drugs and more
crime. We worry about the political correctness with doing this but what choice
do we have? We need leaders from every community in this city to stand up cry
for change in our anti-crime policies.

4.) Before we can appropriate additional money for hiring more police
officers, we need to institute a detailed, serious crime policy with the
staffing we have. We need long range planning that is clear and concise to the
community. This planning must include the City Government, County Government,
MSP, local Churches, civic organizations and citizens. A unified front against
criminal elements must be clear and the line must be drawn.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility: Proactive reactions to
serious environmental problems and potential issues require immediate attention.
We are called to be Good Stewards of all that has been entrusted to us.

Encourage and promote recycling efforts to all citizens. Educate citizens on
location of all Recycling Stations.

These are some of my position on several of the issues we face. A little
about me. I have worked for Wal-Mart for a total of 15+ years. I have held
management positions, worked in Loss Prevention, and now I currently work in the
Connection Center where we sell cell phone services. I am the Store
Sustainability Captain, where we worked to get a Recycling Center in the parking
lot.

I attend Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Salisbury. There I am a leader/teacher
in the church’s student ministry that averages over 150 students a week. I am a
member of the Board of Advisors for the Java Hut Cafe. Also, I am involved in
HALO Ministries, where we serve the homeless on the streets among other
services to the homeless and near homeless.

I know I don’t circulate in certain social circles. I understand Debbie has
more experience and connections than I have. I am an unknown to most in
Salisbury, however many will remember my Grandfather, Rev. Alex Boda, who was
the Pastor at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Salisbury. My father, John
Boda, also ministered at Sharptown and Mount Vernon - below Princess Anne.

I appreciate your time and would like to get together with you at some point.
I am focusing right now on organizing my core volunteers and raising funds. I
have website up that I am updating several times a week www.boda4salisbury.com .
After the first of the year I will begin campaigning aggressively.

Keep up the good work Joe.

Sincerely,

Muir W. Boda

I want to thank Mr. Boda for making contact with Salisbury News and sharing his vision. It's refreshing to see others looking out for the City's best interests, rather than making excuses for what we already have and then asing the Citizens to do their job for them. He's certainly earned my respect.