Endorsement Statement by Tim Chaney

March 18, 2009

My name is Tim Chaney, and I was a candidate in the primary election for the Salisbury City Council District 1 seat. Out of a field of four, I came in a close third – just 17 votes short of making it through the primary.

My thanks go out to each and every person who voted for me and supported me in other ways. I give special thanks to my treasurer, Shirley M. Dashiell, a wonderful woman who has given so much time, energy and talent to the people of Salisbury’s West Side.

Tonight, I come to give my endorsement, along with Shirley’s, to one candidate for the District 1 council seat. Just as important, I want my supporters and all the voters of District 1 to understand the reasons behind this endorsement. Informed voters are empowered voters.

Our endorsement goes to Cynthia May Polk. With all due respect to the incumbent, with whom I consider my relationship cordial, Cynthia Polk offers the people of District 1 the attention and the change they hunger for, a need I myself sought to meet.

I know the people of District 1 are feeling this way because they told me so as I campaigned door to door. They told me it’s why they wanted me to run and why I accepted the challenge.

And I know they feel this way because over two-thirds of the District 1 primary votes were for us challengers, not for the incumbent. Cynthia Polk impressively came within just 5 votes of the incumbent in the primary. These facts show that the people of District 1 are looking for positive change this election.

Before the primary, I had an opportunity to talk with Cynthia Polk and learned she and I had some things in common beyond our love and concern for the people of District 1 and the city as a whole.

Like me, Cynthia Polk is deeply concerned about what crime is doing to our district and to the city. The incumbent said at a city council work session that crime is not a problem. Cynthia Polk and I both believe crime IS a problem, and it is high time the mayor and the city council take the actions necessary against crime.

Cynthia Polk and I both helped to collect signatures on the charter referendum petition to try to hold off a double-digit tax increase. We did this because – although tax increases are sometimes necessary – the District 1 incumbent and the two city council leaders imposed this increase before even looking at the budget. They did this without a thought for how such a big tax increase would affect the struggling people in District 1 and throughout Salisbury.

Cynthia Polk and I both believe that financial discipline is important to making sure OUR money is spent on the priorities of the people. This is especially important to the people of District 1, who have watched jobs NOT come to the core areas of District 1. The people of District 1 have watched as Taj Mahal buildings go up while District 1 neighborhoods are left to crumble.

Last but not least, Cynthia Polk shares my love and concern for the Wicomico River and for the children of this city. She and I both believe we can restore the health of both, that we MUST restore the health of both. Joint projects can help both our river and our city’s children. Both our river and our children will be healthier if our neighborhoods are restored with better housing, safer streets and cleaner environments. More than one problem can be improved at one time.

For all these reasons, I endorse Cynthia May Polk for Salisbury’s District 1 City Council seat. I encourage my supporters and all District 1 voters to cast their vote for her.

The most important reason of all that I endorse Cynthia Polk is, with both my head and my heart, I believe it's the right thing to do for the people of District 1 and for all of Salisbury.

Be sure to vote Tuesday, April 7th. It’s important. It’s your right. It’s your voice.

Thank you.