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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Mayor Blackballs Qualified Marina Commission Applicants


Last nights Council Meeting was quite interesting, even though it was brief. The Mayor and Louise Smith made sure in advance that Council Members could only ask questions about Thomas Elliott and his appointment to the Marina Commission. Mr. Elliott had been on the Commission/Committee in the past but the Mayor could not explain why he all of a sudden, out of nowhere, chose to come back. That doesn't sound like they interviewed him very much if they didn't have that answer.


Nevertheless, what was even more interesting was the fact that there were actually THREE applicants, not one. There are also THREE seats available/open to this Commission. Additionally, Mr. Bob Harris and Mr. S.J. Disharoon had applied, both with very extensive boating backgrounds. ALL three applications were received around the same time but even more interesting was the fact that the Mayor replied to S.J. & Bob insisting they send in a resume.


Well, where's the resume for Mr. Elliott, asked some Council Members? There was none. Just a one paragraph message stating he'd be interested in the appointment. Mr. Pick was asked, (before the meeting) what the criteria was for such an applicant and does it require a resume. Mr. Pick responded, we do not require a resume, only a letter of interest.


Now why did the Mayor say we don't have qualified candidates? I actually know for a fact that Mr. Harris has been a boater for many years and actually kept his yacht right at this Marina for 3 years. In fact, when Mr. Harris applied he offered the following message.
"Robert Harris
32898 Grant St.,
Parsonsburg , Maryland
443-783-3906

Mr. Pick,

I am writing to express my interest in serving on the Marina Commission.
As a local business owner, I feel that my experience would be helpful in developing a strategy to put the marina back on track to being an entity that attracts yearly and transient slip holders.

As a former slip holder, as well as an avid boater, I feel that I have insight that would prove invaluable in determining the existing shortcomings of the marina so that we can be sure that these issues are corrected.

I’ve always believed that the Port of Salisbury is a diamond in the rough. It is an integral part of a resource to which the City of Salisbury owes its historic beginnings. It warrants the attention necessary to allow it to achieve its full potential.

Respectfully,
Robert Harris"
YOU decide Folks. Would YOU accept this application? Do YOU need a resume from this man? The Mayor certainly never asked for one from Mr. Elliott, nor is it required, per Mr. John Pick.
I simply want YOU to see what has been delivered and how the Mayor has always handled them. There are three seats available and there were three applicants. I'm truly interested in what YOU think.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why does this not surprize me? I don't know the other guy however I bet Mr. Harris would make a great great appointment. This is total bs and must and will end in a matter of time.

Anonymous said...

Mr. Harris has invaluable knowledge and experience and knows what he would be doing, that is why Barrie doesn't want him. Same goes for Mr. Disharoon. If anyone questions anything that Barrie does, she sure is not going to appoint them to anything.

Anonymous said...

Didn't MR. Harris who also has been a great contributor to the Zoo get turned down for the commission there too.

Yeah we know the deal, somebody don't like Mr. Harris personally. I think I'd look into a discrimination case.

Anonymous said...

SJ Disharoon is licensed by the US Coast Guard as a boat captain. How could he possibly have been overlooked?

Could it be that Barrie just does not like the man because he stands up to the old gray mare?

Anonymous said...

As a past management employee and a present employer, I see the resume as the primary tool in comparing multiple candidates for a position, especially in management. A good resume would show past management positions and skills and provide references to back those skills up.
Hey, I like boating too, and may even be interested in trying my hand at the job, but that in no way qualifies me to run a marina as a profitable business!
All candidates should be required to submit a resume and be fairly interviewed, so the choice of who will be best for the City can be made. Any other method leaves it up to "who knows who best".

joe albero said...

anonymous 10:13,

That was actually Mr. John Harris, another great man here in Salisbury. He too is a business owner and also has a Yacht locally.

He was denied a seat on the Zoo Commission, even AFTER they made a HUGE donation to purchase and transport 2 new Otters to the Salisbury Zoo. That's when Jim Rapp did that interview for television and never once mentioned Mr. Harris' kind donation and acted like he or the Zoo actually purchased them.

Mr. John Harris was screwed, period.

joe albero said...

anonymous 10:21,

With all due respect, I already explained how Mr. Pick already stated they did not require a resume. That's the Mayor's out.

However, legislation clearly spells out it is not required. When Council Members asked to see Mr. Elliott's resume the Mayor and Pick again explained how they did not require one. So it's on the record. The two additional candidates have extensive boating experience as well as very successful business experience. You're not going to get much better applicants than the two that have been left out.

I'll also state that Mr. Elliott was not interviewed, hence their not being able to explain why he was interested in coming back to the Commission.

Anonymous said...

Joe,
Yes, I did understand that a resume is not required for the position. I was just saying it's a great tool, and maybe they should think of changing the law in that respect. But since it stands today that it's an interview only position, ALL candidates who show interest should be interviewed equally. After all, fair is fair.(OOPS! we're talking Barrie here!)
Anon 10:21

Anonymous said...

How can any member of the Council think this kind of discrimination is acceptable? Either a resume is required for all applicants or it isn't required for any. I would be curious to know Barrie's explanation for this.

Anonymous said...

Its another dead fish, their not going to make any profit from that dock. The only way the dock would of been profitable is if everything that went with it and around it were complete. Its a dead fish now.
Oh, I bet that new drainage pipe is sure going to make it better.

Anonymous said...

69 DAYS AND CHANGE WILL COME. BARRIE.PICK,WILBUR,WEBSTER,CHAMBERS,SHOULD BE HISTORY IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.

Anonymous said...

HELP IS ON THE WAY1

Anonymous said...

Its the glasses dude. If you did not have those glasses they would have seen the obvious and you would be in. You have a more important role in the near future. The County Council has an open seat for you. They just dont know it yet. Good luck !!! Robert Harris. We need you on the council more.

This message was auhtorized by the friends of Bugsy, Inc.

Anonymous said...

Joe, Cohen did a real good job staying within Herr Smith's dictatorial limits, but Smith allowed the mayor to blather about the very things Smith prohibited!

And while she was at it, Barrie Tilghman proclaimed there was "no criteria."

Smith kept allowing others to expand the discussion, but shut Cohen down when she tried to respond to it.

Smith makes me SICK!

At least Cohen was able to shed light on this "at the mayor's whim" (and I do mean WHIM) when it comes to placing people who could do some good for this city. Instead, she'd rather put her friends in who will be sure to keep things in the dark so we keep losing money on everything.

Thank you, Debbie Campell, for protecting us taxpayers. Thank you, Terry Cohen, for speaking up for us little people.

And Mr. Ireton, you have my vote! April 7 can't come soon enough for me. I wish Tilghman were gone TODAY so she can't leave any more of a legacy of hell for us than she already has.

Mr. Disharoon and Mr. Harris sound like they would have been real good for the marina. That's why they didn't get appointed.

Anonymous said...

where in "legislation" is this stated as required, I'd like to read it

Anonymous said...

I noticed the mare was very nervous when Terry was questioning
her about this issue. She sure
was on the defense last night.

Anonymous said...

Why do we need a marina committee ?
That place has lost money for years the only time it did well was when it opened and had a young man that ran it well.

Anonymous said...

Thomas Elliott better keep his resume current, I have a feeling he will be needing it in the near future.

MR. Harris has a track record of success and caring and contributing time and money for good causes here in Salisbury.

Instead, yet another Lackey gets appointed. We are behind you MR. Harris, come to the next city council meeting please.

Everyone deserves to hear your story and questions to the city for reasons of being denied consideration. Sounds like discrimination to me.

Anonymous said...

After finding out that the mayor and city attorney were found to be trying to keep a $45 million lawsuit against the city from the city council members any decision or appointment can not be trusted.

Shanie was quoted in the paper saying she was angry for not being informed. Shanie, where's the outrage? Why is this lawsuit now on the hush hush?

How can the council be included in this suit when they were in the dark for almost 3 months?

Anonymous said...

MR.HARRIS IS A VERY INTELLAGENT INDIVIDUAL ,AND ANYTHING HE HAS TO CONTIBUTE HAS GOT TO BE IMPROVEMENT TO WHAT EVER THE SUBJECT MAY BE.I HAVE LISTENED TO HIS INPUT ON ALOT OF SITUATIONS AND HE KNOWS HIS COUNTY AND COMMUNITY.GO BOB I HAVE YOUR BACK!!!!!!!!1

Anonymous said...

They're all a bunch of crooks, just out to make money off the good people of Salisbury or its students!