The above message comes directly from Mayor Tilghman's State of the City speech.
Ladies & Gentlemen, the photos above are but a very small example of what the Downtown Salisbury area represents. There are many more locations than I can publish here closed and empty and this is only the immediate Downtown area.
When a Forum is created and the ONLY questions being asked to each candidate is, what will you do to revitalize our Downtown, this is bad. Two major stores will be closing in the very near future on the Downtown Plaza, Nancy N. and Head Over Heels will be closing their doors for various reasons. Nancy N. will relocate onto Rt. 13 where the Wicker Outlet used to be. Head Over Heels will simply close their doors, period.
Mayor Tilghman was recently on NPR Radio stating that the reason the Downtown has failed is because of the Blogs. Now look, it's bad enough this Mayor quit her job right in the middle of the worst economy this Country has ever seen but to blame her failures on Salisbury News, that's just ridiculous! The only thing the Blogs did was to expose the FACT that absolutely NOTHING was being done to help the Downtown area.
How the Daily Times Editorial Staff can praise this woman for her 12 years of service is so far beyond my scope of understanding it isn't funny. But that's what makes having a second opinion such a great asset to this community.
In Mayor Tilghmans State of the City Address she went after Bob Taylor and Salisbury News. She mentioned how we cost the City some $30,000.00 in expenses, yet she never mentions what it cost the citizens financially, God forbid we disagree with this woman or her Administration. I have personally spent more than $160,000.00 in legal fees alone fighting the City of Salisbury. More importantly, this Mayor is actually suing a taxpayer, (me) who has purchased a building on the Downtown Plaza and offered to pay $250,000.00 cash for the old Fire Station 16. Look at what she did most recently to George Chevallier. She became so angry with him, instead of mailing a letter to his home, in anger she got in her car, (I'll assume) and drove to his property and knocked on his door and handed it to him in anger.
In a rage, the Mayor and her Daughter had been at a local Bar watching PAC14 and became so angry the actually drove back to the GOB, created an verbal argument with Rachel Polk and her Daughter physically assaulted an ELECTED OFFICIAL to the point they had to hire an attorney and feared for their lives, not knowing just what this Mayor and followers were capable of. How about her sending the FBI to Bill Duvall's home. Linda Kent comes to mind and "The Dirty Dozen." Another case where Citizens had to hire lawyers to represent them and WIN while the Mayor used City Funds to pay the legal fees to represent the Old Mall Owners. I could go on and on about ALL of the people Mayor Tilghman has gone after, yet she wants to go public and make it sound like she's the victim?
Mayor Barrie Tilghman has driven the City of Salisbury so deep in debt it may never recover. One thing is for sure, it will be the taxpayers that will foot the bill of more than $70,000,000.00 of debt too, not the Mayor. Did she bring in new businesses to help pay for that debt, obviously not from the pictures above. Drive down Rt. 13 and look at all the For Sale and For Rent signs! Take some additional time and go into the Industrial Parks and look at what's available. Don't forget people like myself who invested big money into real estate in the City and the Micro Brewery, they had to relocate to Delmar, DE. because of her Impact Fees. They'll waive those fees for DEVELOPERS who will make a big buck but they refuse to do so for the average Joe out there.
Now don't think Gary Comegys hasn't played a HUGE role in this over the years. As I have shown with photos time and time again the trash on the Downtown Plaza. Remember, he and Mike Dunn brought it up 2 1/2 years ago in a Council Meeting, yet nothing was done about it. They had the power in the past 2 1/2 years to take care of it and they have done NOTHING! How is this the fault of Salisbury News?
Would Barie Tilghman still be running for Office if there never was a Blog or Salisbury News? You better believe she would. She flip flops around like a bouncing ball. She tells the Media, my retirement has nothing to do with the Blogs. Yet she has a State of the City Address and blames the Blogs. She goes on NPR and says all of her major failures were caused by the Blogs. Mayor Tilghman, you need to look into a mirror. You need to look at the photos from the Red Cross Luncheon and recognize that while it may make you feel better sitting in front of a microphone on radio and talking to the Public, most are sick and tired of your BS. Most are sick and tired of you blaming us. You need to understand what MAYOR really means. It means that you are a public official. When you took the job, it didn't mean you are the power of a City and everyone WILL listen to you and follow your lead. This is AMERICA, not a Socialist country. You need to respect our freedom of speech. We are allowed to challenge your authority in an appropriate way and that's what Salisbury News is all about. Bloggers are not a bad thing Barrie Tilghman, Chief See and Chief Webster.
Take a good hard look at the Salvation Army for example. I created an article about them, tearing them a new one because they brought Kenny Townsend and other work release criminals to man their buckets. They didn't come back saying, damn that Joe Albero. They came back and said, do you have any better ideas? Hence a RECORD year in the worst economy this Country has ever seen raising almost $500,000.00!
Everyone knows I had a major problem with the Wicomico Humane Society. Linda Lugo didn't go to the Press and denounce the Blogs. Linda Lugo embraced Joe Albero, face to face, one on one and TOGETHER, (by the grace of God and our readers) they cannot keep animals in that facility and even had the ability to reach out most recently to the National SPCA and bring back dogs from Kentucky BECAUSE THEY COULD.
I made these same offers to the Salisbury Zoo numerous times and the Mayor knows this. I offered, (well before my Wife and I had problems with the Zoo) to become a Zoo Commission Member and help in the Marketing of the Salisbury Zoo.
Barrie Tilghman has been one of the very few that simply took Joe Albero as a hater and she took every opportunity she could to bash me and my wife over the past 4+ years. I have been arrested for trespassing on public property, which is actually impossible to do, being I had never been told I had to stay off the grounds. The Mayor was instrumental in spitefully coming after me for perjury, which was an honest mistake and the Judge clearly recognized that as well as the States Attorney. Nevertheless, God Forbid you go against the grain with this woman, she'll use everything she has, power wise to crush you. Her main goal, to discredit Joe Albero in any way she possibly could, yet stay in the background. Think about it Folks. Do you think when someone is doing a TAX FREE EXCHANGE and there's NO TAXES whatsoever from this 1031 Tax Exchange, that I could have CHEATED on my taxes????? There were NO TAXES OWED! Yet I was dragged through the mud and had to pay out $12,000.00 in legal fees just to defend a document the attorney should have never placed in the paperwork. It was a commercial sale and a commercial purchase, yet they had a residential form in the documents. The Judge clearly saw what had gone wrong. The Judge asked very specific questions to the States Attorney. Did Mr. Albero file his taxes as a Delaware resident? Yes. Did Mr. Albero file BEFORE anyone knew there would be charges filed against him? YES! So he never cheated on his taxes, correct? NO! DUH! HELLO! Now I mention all of this because I want to also mention the former Sheriff of Wicomico County, Hunter Nelms. You see, Hunter often disagreed with Mayor Tilghman and Chief Webster and although the Drill Academy is NOT within their jurisdiction, they went to the FBI and filed yet another complaint against him and wasted CITY money to put him through a second Grand Jury Hearing/Trial. Carolyn Hall comes to mind as well, should many of you recall that name and situation.
So you see Folks, as a Blogger, I have done everything I can to better the City of Salisbury. I have spent the past 3 or 4 years of my life dedicated to exposing what I felt was right and or wrong. I have even offered my professional services to the City as a Board Member of the Salisbury Zoo but when I saw Mayor Tilghman cover up all the animal deaths and then fire my Wife simply because she exposed the truth, that was enough for me. When I saw her go after Larry Dodd, (SFD) as a citizen speaking his peace at a Council Meeting, I saw enough. When I saw the Administration go after Aaron Hudson and Brian Beavers of the SPD simply because they were kind enough to say hello to me, yet they felt these people were all my inside scoop people, I had enough.
They say there are three sides to every story. His, Hers and the truth, well, this is my side of the story. I let the photos speak for themselves. I speak the truth with NO EXCUSES. I put my name on every Post and Comment. Now some may not like what I have stated. Some may disagree with what I have stated. You have every right to counter what I have Posted here. Please show me/us ribbon cuttings at each one of these locations and or other locations. The last big ribbon cutting I can remember in the City was years ago at the ERA Martin & Associates. Oh, there was the Edible Arrangements too. I never went to the one at Starbucks but they too will be closing their door in the near future.
My point is, I have provided a FREE service to this community. It has cost me financially like you just wouldn't believe. Imagine being ONE individual new to the area who has gone up against a Mayor that has said nothing nice about me the entire time. Every single person has had a BAD impression of Joe Albero because the Mayor says I'm a bad guy. I must be, I'm getting sued by the Mayor, right? Well take a look at where things have progressed to this date. First we were the nasty Bloggers. Then we became the Dirty Dozen. Now I'M being invited to Red Cross Events as a Celebrity Waiter while the Mayor's Table sits empty and she storms out in anger.
I can look in my mirror every day Mayor Tilghman and know I have provided a service to this community far more rewarding than you have ever done. You chose to fight me and I have chosen to fight back. You are not running for re-election because of one reason, exposure from Salisbury News. You denounced the Blogs and even went on television begging people to stay away from those nasty Bloggers. How's it working for you Mayor Tilghman?
Ladies & Gentlemen, vote for Jim Ireton if you want to see these For Rent and For Sale signs go away. Vote for Gary Comegys if you want more of the same. Crime is so out of control, businesses will not come here while we're the 10th Most Dangerous City (per capita) in America. Take your City back and vote for Jim. The Daily Times will do anything to get Gary Comegys elected but please remember, Gary has been on the City Council for at least 6 years. How's it working for you Folks? How's that tax increase feel? How's the water & sewer rate increases feel? Do you like those pot holes everywhere you go in Salisbury? When's the last time you saw your street being paved????? Are you happy about the WWTP spills into the River? Do YOU like the $10,000,000.00 Fire Palace? How about that $860,000.00 Fire Boat?
While Salisbury News used to be the in your face kind of reporting years ago, we've toned it down to a level I believe everyone can accept. Now Gary Comegys, Louise Smith and even other Department Heads have gone to the Anti Albero Blogs and have fed them inside information in the attempt to bash Joe Albero and Salisbury News. That is why I asked the entire Council on PAC 14 if they denounced the Blogs any more? They have their own cheerleader doing their nasty work and I can't wait to connect the dots once they deliver me my answer. Who wants to bet they don't deliver the answer until AFTER the election? That's OK, we know who's doing what.
In closing, it's not the Blogs that have caused such turmoil in Salisbury. The City is NOT "under siege", as the Mayor was quoted as saying. I personally think the Mayor made a huge mistake by blaming everyone else for such failures within the City. Again, remember, it was the Mayor who stated the Blogs had nothing to do with her decision to run again. Need I say more?
78 comments:
Amen, Joe! BPT blaming the blogs for all the bad in Salisbury was a silly effort to dodge responsibility.
BRAVO! Huge applause! Way to go
Mr. Joe!
Cindy
The blogs represented Free Speech, Free Dailog, Free Thinking, Free Expression. All of which she couldn't control and represented a huge challenge for her.
She had her official mouth piece, the pathetic local DT Pravda. The ignorant masses should have never dared question or look elsewhere.
wHEN SHE CAME IN TO OFFICE THE TAX RATE WAS 1.60 PER $100. If you convert today's rate of .819 to tha same basis it equates to 1.96 or a 36 cent increase during a time when assessments where climbing and other towns were lowering the tax rate (ex Ocean City). She sure has made a long term mess of a once beautiful town.
Look. . .the photos says it all.
There is more incentive to go out-of-business in Salisbury than there is to stay in business.
Remember the SOCIALISM WARNINGS. They have all come to fruition as spelled out in the Socialism commentaries.
And one more thing. How many times have we seen Gary Comegy in that bright orange SUV doing absolutely nothing . . .AT THE TAXPAYERS EXPENSE.
How can a full time State employee have enough time to serve on the humane society, zoo commission, City Council and work for the State also. There is no way he could be effective while serving on all of these posts.
Funny, I understand the point you are trying to make. The last photo has several businesses in it with one office space for rent. It isnt a vacant building.
IF I were the mayor, and I am not nor have any desire to be, I would surely apply for some federal grant money that is being passed around so freely. Then I would encourage the owners of those buildings to just GET THEM RENTED. With this funding, you could give the renters 4 months free rent and after that a regular rental agreement would be in place. This sure would be a great stimulus package for Salisbury and you know, I would probably take my business out of my home where it has been for many years and give downdown a go at it.
Well said, Joe!
You've done everything you can to let people know what was happening (good & bad) in Salisbury. By seeing the pics of trash on the plaza, unwanted paint damage, how crime has increased, etc...seems something positive would of come out of it in order to have you say something positive...NOT!
She had the nerve to go after Chief Dykes then turn around and show up at his funeral as if nothing bad had never come out of her mouth about the man.
I remember when she first came out warning people to stay away from the blogs. She tried to scare people into thinking the blogs were filled with lies and brainwashing. Instead it was her own mouth which was doing these things. She'd scare people into voting for her OR ELSE.
No matter what anyone agrees with when thinking of her...you can't hide the fact that Salisbury went downhill. In the past two years it was more like a landslide.
Those pics of emptiness is so sad to look at. I remember how full each building was at one time and hope they will return. Downtown was once the heart of Salisbury. Everyone coming into or through town saw it as they drove by. This should be inviting to everyone who sees it. I wish the speciality stores which were once there which made it fun to just go spend a day or afternoon going from store to store will one day return. Driving Rt. 13 looks so dirty. All it is is a bunch of buildings that are either already run down looking or well on their way. There are more places for rent/sale than there is full. In this economy it won't change over night but there IS hope that something positive will begin to happen if the taxpayers will vote for Jim Ireton along with Debbie Campbell and Rachel Polk.
Funny thing you should post these pictures. My wife and I were just commenting about this a few days ago. She said to me,
"Honey-this town looks worse today than what was shown on some of the old TV western ghost towns"
The only thing lacking in these photos is the tumble weed blowing across the sidewalks.
I love how she stated that she wouldn't do anything differently in her time as Mayor. Wow. She made no mistakes in 12 years?
She met her match in you Joe. She couldn't bully you into submission. I'm new to the blog here in the last few months and I appreciate the ability to hear more information about what goes on in this city. Now we are able to get both sides of the story and not just Barrie's version. I am glad that change is going to occur with this election.
We live in the information age and the blogs aren't going anywhere. As a matter of fact teachers are using them in schools as a way to exchange ideas about learning. Get used to the blogs.
Where is the city inspector to cite the rotten wood in the fourth picture? I would talk to Berlin, Easton, and other cities like Greenville, SC to see how they revitalized their downtowns. Seek advice and lets make downtown Salisbury a destination spot. Downtown should be drawing people in instead of pushing them away.
The photo that George Chavalier put up in yesterday's commentary shows Salisbury to have a vibrant, booming economy.
What in Sam ..ll happened to Salisbury? If you go back even farther . . . into the late 1800s the Salisbury Harbor was bustling with shipping schooners. One might say - after reviewing the historical pictures and evidence -our town has gone ass backwards.
What a shame.
I disagree. The city is under siege, by the Tighlman administration. It's time this administration recieved an enema.
I totally agree! Keep on telling it like it is, Joe, 'cause the Daily Times surely doesn't!
JIM IRETON FOR MAYOR!!!!!
Here's a really basic idea: what city in their right mind puts parking lots on a river? Seriously? That is one of the dumbest decisions ever (I have no idea who is to blame, only that we should have fixed tis years ago). The river front should be shops and restaurants, tha parking lots should be on the outside. Say it with me , peeps: duh! And I don't even have a degree in civil enginieering!
These photos clearly show all the signs of a failed economy.
I don't think I have ever seen Salisbury look this bad.
AVAILABLE is rhampant everywhere you look. If I were Senator Milkulski, I would think twice before I would set-up shop in this Town. And yet she also continues to get re-elected. Maybe now that Gilchrest is gone someone in Annapolis and Washington will get the message.
Joe, I thank you for giving what you have to provide this platform of free speech. This city did need this and still does. I think you got a lot of opposition from your delivery more than your message. Your delivery sometimes was louder than the message. This area is so not used and does not someone standing up against them. I too stood up to the government and the "good old boys";"the way it always been done" people and paid with my career. Unfortunately I did not have the past experience and money that you have been able to build for yourself. So, I still pay. What helps me in living with that is that I can come here and express my ideas, opinions without the worry of being punished at work. I thank you for that.
I agree with 10:02 and that the Mayor could not handle the critique of her job.
I do want to remind you of the first person she went after who was Chief Dykes. The Chief may have done some things wrong in the book keeping or a few friends got some benefits. He definitely wanted things done his way and only his way, however no one could ever question where his love was. It was for this city, to improve it. Tilghman went after him over a personal agenda and promised all that she dealt with a new better police department and that she would not forsake the police. Once she got her way, all you saw was her back and you felt the huge knife sticking in yours. Webster was then hired, against the majority of the police officers wishes. Joe you would so mad if you knew the real crime rate. What the city police does not tell the citizens, who need to know.
Now look where we are, the city is a disgrace, it is disgusting to ride through, why would any business want to come here. Incredibly high crime rate, the city looks ugly & dirty; the mayor fights with everyone, the costs far outweigh the benefits of coming here. Thanks god we have the beach nearby to fool people to retire here.
Well, back to thanking; thank you Joe, for giving me a place to have a voice. We so need it. Thanks for the light you have shown so many people. I wish all could see what really goes on in this community.
She blamed the blogs for the condition of Downtown? You've GOT to be kidding me!!!!!!!!!
Miss "I take full responsibility" said that?
I pray everyone here will work for Jim Ireton to get mayor. And that wonderful Debbie Campbell to hold her seat. And I don't know Cynthia Polk, but she has GOT to be better than that Shields woman who has been nothing but a mouthpiece for Tilghman and Comegys and the slumlords. Talk about someone working against her own people!
This is such a time that change is possible. Please, Salisbury, make it happen. Don't take for granted that it will just happen. These three people are up against the Tilghman Comegys machine of big money and mean politics. As someone wrote here, it has cost people. Help with the campaigns of the good people. I just fear the bad guys winning again.
Well stated Joe, but it is now time to forget about old BPT. Let it go Joe and concentrate on how good things will be when she's gone and we have a new mayor and Council!!!
I'll not let it go until the lawsuit between Barrie Tilghman and Joe Albero is over at the end of April.
Well the incoming mayor is gonna have a heck of a mess to clean up,what a disaster this woman has put the city of Salisbury in!!!!
Not just Hudson and Beaver, it was all of us. We had a mandatory meeting and a Sgt. began angry and yelling at us all in the training room. This Sgt did not show professionalism and basically accused everyone. The second meeting for the other squads, it wasn't as bad I heard. We are tired of how SPD officers are treated. Webster and his goons make good officers retire, go to other PD's and fire them for BS. End of 2009, I bet there will be 6 more officers gone. The goons read these blogs and comments and take it out on us. I will be next to leave, You hear that Webster and goons!
I think all of us, the Dirty Dozen (Hundreds) should show up in court to watch her final stand/loss.
The firefighters are saying thanks to the mayor for bring your topic today. :)
Its not going to get any better anytime soon. We havent gotten to the storm yet, theres is no oppurtunity here anymore, no way to make a decent living or support your family. People will start leaving the shore in droves in search of decent jobs. Salisbury is dead for the hard working legal American middle class. We aint seen nothing yet.
Joe, I wish you would have run for mayor. I honestly think that you could do the job. I really think that someone like you could give this city a new outlook and a measure of hope. I just pray that the residents of this city don't become a product of their environment that Barrie has provided for us.So long Barrie! Don't let the door hit you in the --- on the way out. God knows it couldn't miss! Thank you Joe for all that you do for us! You never cease to amaze not to mention entertain me. Keep up the great work!
Help is on the way....But we all need to be there to back him up and do our best to help him and OUR city. VOTE for Jim!
I've been to smaller towns than Salisbury that have more vibrant downtowns.
Make it economically viable for businesses to open up and they will come. That brew pub would have been golden downtown.
Clean it up and improve it. It can draw people because there are no other draws or areas to draw everyone together in Salisbury unless your drug dealer or prostitute!
But again it's Salisbury.
This is scary
GARY = BARRIE
If Comegy's gets into office, the next Slumlord movie will be made from Salisbury since thats what it's become.
Jim, Debbie and Rachel are the ones we need to get us back on our feet. Show your support in any way possible.
Wal-Mart kills the "American "Downtown", Home-Depot and Lowes dont help much. Stop feeding the corporate giants and the corporate chains or your downtown will never rise again. You wanted it, you got it.
Joe, keep this post at the top all day. It's great, to the point, and needs to be read by all. Maybe post it again the weekend of the election.
Great job!
Doug, stip to the topic at hand or expect me to reject your comments.
Ill do my best.
It is sad to see how DT is empty now. Ican remember as a kid, my mom taking me to the shops to pick up something she had ordered.
Ok, we (me included) complained enough now today, so what are some solutions. Lets hear the ideas, I'm sure some of you have some great ones. What can you, me, we, the city do to bring the downtown back to life? The city back to life. Please, constructive-productive answers, not get rid or her, got that, doing that. Actual productive ideas. I offered the challenge....now lets hear it.
I must agree to an extent with 10:57, parking lots do not belong on the river, unless you are speaking of our Wicomico River. Let's face it, what once was a beautiful river is now a floating cess pool. Guess who's to blame for that one as well.
'The evil blogs are killing our towns!'
"People like Joe Albero and the Burkes hate their towns and they are destroying them!"
This is what has been told to me by people in my district as I am out campaigning. This is what they said they have been told by the Mayor of Pocomoke, the same thing that your Mayor has told the citizens of Salisbury!
They don't want the citizens to know the truth!
They want a captive audience of non-thinkers, who don't bother to look at both sides of the coin before they make a decision and form an opinion.
Free thought is what is going to bring us through this devastating crisis that we face in our nation, and in our towns and cities.
You don't hate Salisbury, and I don't hate Pocomoke. We simply hate what a very few self serving power hungry people have done to our once beautiful towns. And in order to stay in power they must perpetuate lies such as this.
You have done a remarkable thing in Salisbury Joe, and it is not in vain.
The pen is mightier than sword my friend.
Keep doing what you do.
Nothing. The downtown area will sit like it is and get worse until this economy turns around. I beleive it will be years before that happens. When it does turn around what draws Americans out,(convienence) you have to make it easy to get to and out of. Then make it safe for people. Offer incentives for business people as well as customers to come downtown. The downtown must make people feel like they are going back in time a bit, like when they were young. It has to get their minds remembering a better time, a slower time, a time when we felt good about our city,our country and ourselves. A state of mind if you will, with little LOCALLY owned shops where the owners meet and greet you and truely care about the customers entering their business. Remember what it was like, I do, I miss it. Its ashame that it only exsist now in our memories.
RE: 12:59 Posting - Solutions
First off I've lived here all of my life. I think a charter amendment should be passed immediately that will waive the Mayoral candidate to be a Salisbury residence.
Then, Joe or others that have the intestinal fortitude could qualify to run for Salisbury's Mayor. This would open-up the pool for qualified candidates.
THEN, WE COULD ELECT . . . JOE ALBERO FOR MAYOR. . . even if he resides just across the line in Delaware.
RE: SOLUTIONS COMMENT
SOLUTION NO. 2
We - Wicomico, MD and Sussex, DE residents- could meet at the Mason Dixon boundary marker on Rt. 54 near Mardela. We'll turn the compass needle and direct a new coarse due west to the Nanticoke River, from then on we will follow the outlines of the Nanticoke River -(south) - and plant new boundary markers to encompass all of Wicomico into our newly formed District. We'll issue a new proclamation of independence and rid ourselves from the ball-and-chain that has been ensnaring our citizenry. Only then will we have representation without undue taxation.
The Mayor and department heads would not have any problems on this site if they were open and honest. If they were not trying to hide things and sneak things in back doors , we would not have a thing to read here. There are many employees who speak to joe as well as citizens that are just fed up. I do not know of any law that prohibits someone from speaking to another person. The style of control exercised by City leaders resembles Russia during the cold war. This is America and they will continue to exercise their right to free speech.If the City leaders do not like what is said here, then they should keep a clean house. That way nobody will have anything to report but good things.
Joe has a responsibility to post accurate information and he understands that. My belief is that he would rather post positive stories than the daily corruption headlines that we see everyday. Lets face it, SBYNEWS has become the place to go for the real scoop. People want the real details on issues that affect us locally. A style similar to my favorite Paul Harvey. The face of the City is changing and you can thank this site in large part for that, April will bring a new leadership and a new direction. Keep the faith.
12:25...it's CYNTHIA Polk, not Rachel Polk, who already served on council.
I understand there's no relation.
12:59, my first suggestion is everyone quit talking and call Jim Ireton, Debbie Campbell and Cynthia Polk to volunteer, donate, help get out the vote, whatever.
Without that line up succeeding in this election, none of our great ideas for downtown will mean a thing.
I can only tell you this. I have spoken to some of the property owners on the Plaza and we will ALL try to get together within the next 30 days to come up with answers.
Mind you now, this Post is NOT just about the Downtown Plaza. It's more about finger pointing and blame. Salisbury News and or Joe Albero is not the Mayor of Salisbury. It is not my responsibility to revitalize Salisbury, it has been Barrie Tilghman's job for the past 12 years. SHE HAS FAILED.
She has used the Downtown Plaza and Salisbury Zoo as the greatest asset Salisbury has. Yet they are both failing miserably.
When all Candidates were asked questions about how they would revitalize the Downtown area, NONE of them gave solid answers. Now I can see Della Penna, Ireton and Caldwell kind of being thrown into a difficult spot here as they have not been on the Council for the past 6 years with inside information as to where the City has been working on ideas. Gary said he's tired of throwing money into these grand plans and getting nowhere. Yet he had not one answer or idea on how the make things better.
IF Jim Ireton gets into Office as Mayor, I will personally assure each and every one of you that I will personally work as hard as I possibly can to participate in revitalizing the Downtown Plaza. I will assure each and every one of you that I will NOT participate in ANY special funding to PROVE to everyone I have absolutely NO SPECIAL INTERESTS other than the kindness of my past professional experience and wisdom. My building is paid for, I don't need help. However, others are struggling horribly and we have to do everything we can to get the Downtown area booming again.
The Zoo is an easy solution. Charge ALL Guests that are NOT Citizens of Salisbury a small fee to enter.
Anyhow, Mayor Tilghman is off her rocker lately. She has been in hiding for the past year, if not longer. They have challenged me legally in every possible way, even so much so s being brought into a Probation Office just last week. She, along with Department Heads are desperate to bring me down in the final month of her being in Office. They MUST make Joe Albero be a bad guy and PROVE to everyone I've been one all along. They have gone to other Public Officials desperate to have something charged on me and those Officials have refused because it is too far fetched. I even heard from John Robinson that there was another Grand Jury Investigation against me some 8 weeks ago but nothing ever became of it. John can probably confirm that statement right here on this Blog, we'll see?
Nevertheless, if Gary Comegys gets in, you're going to see the man version of Barrie Tilghman and let me assure you Foolks, Gary's Fuse is VERY short! Barrie Tilghman will clearly be running the show with Lynn Cathcart, Don Cathcart, T.J. Maloney, Mike Dunn and Michael Day only one step behind Gary. He's not smart enough to run the City and all they want is to have a puppet continue their path of destruction.
It cracked me up when Jim Ireton said in a forum, I'm the ONLY Candidate that doesn't live or own a piece of property right on the edge of the City with a special interest in having water and sewer lines brought out after the property is annexed, like other former Council Members have.
Every one of you need to strongly send a message out to this administration, YOU'RE DONE! You must get your friends, family members, neighbors, business associates, anyone who lives in the City to VOTE! They are desperate Folks. They have way too much to hide. Way too many buried bodies that could be uncovered. They will do just about anything to stop Jim Ireton from becoming Mayor.
Mayor Barrie Tilghman destroyed the City of Salisbury and made it a Theme Park for Developers. She couldn't care less about any one of you. She personally denied Chief Webster additional funding in her Budget to hire more Police Officers. She personally rejected and denied the Firefighters a pay raise, even after it was promised, because they refused to endorse Gary Comegys for City Council.
Look at the WWTP! Remember Folks, that thing was supposed to be 100% complete LAST YEAR! Where's the ribbon cutting ceremony? Go back and look at her speech last week. She very carefully used words making it SOUND like this project is complete, but its not. Have you asked yourselves WHY the Daily Times hasn't done a follow up story as to why it's not complete? Because they're tied in with Barrie and Gary.
Open your eyes Folks. Read everything they say very carefully. The Mayor wants you to believe that there's some kind of conspiracy behind everything she does. HELLLOOOOOO! Start telling the truth Mayor. STOP trying to make it sound as if everything is so peachy around here, starting with CRIME!
Anyhow, she's a has been now. Vote for Jim Ireton and watch things turn around so fat you won't know what hit you.
Joe:
Your plan for the plaza better not mean dumping more taxpayer money there. The property owners should do any additional funding.
First let me say this. It is not my plan. Secondly, we have yet to all get together but I would suspect that each property owner would be looking for some kind of relief. That being said, I would ask Jim to make this a priority on Lore' Chambers to find some FEDERAL Grant money. Again, I need no assistance. I can take whatever rent I want as I own the building outright. My suggestion would be that everyone come up with a vision of what they would like to see. I agree with Jim Ireton, it's NOT the local Governments business to TELL each property owner what they must do with property they own. IF the City wants to come in and buy us all out, then they would have every right.
However, I have a plan that will blow everyone away and it will NOT be uncovered until AFTER the election. There's NO WAY I'm going to let Gary Comegys steal yet another idea from everyone else and say it was his own. Not that it would hold any water, because he has NO ideas anyway. Tie till tell. The City is either heading in the right direction or it's not. If it's not, I'll sell my property if Gary is elected. You're ALL on your own at that point.
Then can we do it my way? Im ready as rain.
I hope this isn't true but I suspect that you, JOE, will remain a target of Mayor Barrie's even after she is no longer Mayor. She's still trying to take down Hunter and he has been gone for a couple of years. What a pitiful situation!
ATTENTION COMMENTERS!
While I agree that turning this into a positive Post would be nice, I'll not allow ANY ideas for the Downtown area to pop up here.
Gary Comegys will work fair and square on HIS IDEAS, not OURS!
I will NOT allow them to use this Site as a way to get what the people want to hear.
So IF you see your comment not popping up here for the next few weeks referencing how to revitalize Salisbury, now you know why.
Let one of these two gentlemen win this election based on their ideas. The Downtown Plaza is the property owners responsibility and IF YOU are NOT one of the property owners, quite frankly, it's none of your business, rspectfully.
It's astounding to me that the one who's been in the driver's seat as Mayor during the period of Salisbury's biggest downturn has chosen to blame much of it on the blogs.
Well, if you're reading this, Mayor, that's NOT how it works! Whether it's business or politics, when you're the one "at the top", then the heat for failure comes back on YOU. It just doesn't cut it to point the finger and say, "Booo Hooo those mean, nasty bloggers put my city under siege right under my nose and loused it up." You can't stand the heat?? No problem - then get the heck outta the kitchen - simple as that. It's just unfortunate for all Salisbury (bloggers or not) that you didn't decide to get outta the kitchen WAY before now. It's going to take our city YEARS to recover from your "administration", Mrs. Mayor. . .and that's IF it ever does.
You never understood what Truman used to say.."The buck stops here", or at least, you never went by it. Now here we are at the end of a disastrous (no other word for it) decade plus under your "leadership",the city's in far worse shape than it was when your regime began, downtown is a shambles, crime is rampant, taxpayer money is being thrown about like confetti, and all YOU can focus on as you exit the "kitchen" is wagging your finger at the bloggers? Mayor, you are a joke. The problem is, the good citizens of Salisbury aren't laughing.
Your unspoken motto was, "Ask not what I can do good for Salisbury. Ask what I can do to make life miserable for people like Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen who have the best interest of the PEOPLE at heart." After all, it's the special interests that matter to you, Barrie. The people's interests are a mere aside. Why waste time with something so inconsequential? And you didn't!!
In parting, I'll leave you with this question: If Salisbury News had been favorable to you from day one, would you now be squealing like a stuck pig? If it had applauded and lauded your decisions in lockstep (you know..kinda like the goosestep), and ohhed and ahhhed over what a wonderful, effective Mayor we had - almost never criticizing anything you did - would you feel we bloggers had the city under siege? Of course not! That's because you don't want to hear the voices of the dissenters, only those of the butt kissers. And when you don't hear that, you often want to come after those who dare speak against you.
There's a term for that, Barrie. It's called dictatorship. Hmmmm...you would've looked better wearing an Adolf mustache anyhow.
Goodbye, Barrie. And GOOOD RIDDANCE!
One Very Disappointed Constituent
In my opinion neither of the Mayoral candidates is Mayor material. Is Linda Kent a city resident? Probably not. Mr. Spicer Bell or Mr. Marty Neat would be excellent representatives but I am sure they do not live in the city. We need help from some responsible citizen.
what a shame, downtown Salisbury has such potential. Go and see downtown Rockville and other town centers around Maryland to see what Salisbury could be if local government was willing to invest in its future.
Yo Barrie! Are you serious about the bloggers being a bigger problem than the economy right now? WAKE UP WOMAN! You've got to be kidding or not living in the real world. Oh wait, you never have stepped foot inside the real world. You live in the SI(special interest) world! There are too many days left before your out of that building but I'm sure you will still have someone inside telling you things that none of the rest of us know. Shame it won't be your boy-toy!
"How can a full time State employee have enough time to serve on the humane society, zoo commission, City Council and work for the State also. There is no way he could be effective while serving on all of these posts."
First off, I am no Gary supporter by any means. I'm not. Really. But I can see how someone could do this. The job is 8:00 to 5:00, most likely, maybe even 4:30. Most, if not all, of those boards and organizations meet at night. The City Council might be the hardest of the bunch to pull off because of its daytime work session meetings. Not sure how he did that. But assuming he could rearrange his work schedule, he could serve on all those boards. And the City Council actual meetings are at night.
Now, how EFFECTIVE he's been on the City Council is another issue entirely, and one where I would not be so kind to Mr. Comegys...
One point I'd like to put out there, and yes the decline in Salisbury has been hideous to witness, is that the residents, the actual voters (the same ones who should be turning out in droves but don't), think it's useless, are uninformed, or just plain don't care.
I'm always amazed by the low voter turn out in Salisbury. But know this too Joe, while you are driving home the message, there are many who have home computers that simply sit in homes for gaming or cnn.com or local news media -- those home computer users, many, don't even know what a BLOG IS, or how to find yours.
Then there are those who don't have computers or would know how to utilize the 'free' access at the library.
I think part of the malaise in town IS simply the public isn't getting valid information. I don't think they can tell who the good guys are from the bad -- and that their votes, either way won't matter.
Just a thought
Very good idea in of itself Joe!
Let them try to figure it out.
"Mayor Tilghman, Empty Hopes, Empty Promises & Empty Dreams"
ahhh yes, but our memories of her and our river.....ARE COMPLETELY FULL OF IT!!!!
5:13 Good one!!
1:24
Becareful what you wish for Chiefy does not live in Salisbury, if he did he may care more, at least he would get an ear full when he went out in the area about the crime. not saying that is wouldn't work, but it doesn't work for SPD
damm joe, killing the free thinking, will you post the ideas about the downtown sometime, i was looking forward to seeing positive instead of negative. If people do not know the mayor screwed things up and is extrememly difficult to work with their head has been stuck somewhere. So let the positive flow.
Anonymous said...
In my opinion neither of the Mayoral candidates is Mayor material...Mr. Spicer Bell or Mr. Marty Neat would be excellent representatives but I am sure they do not live in the city.
2:44 PM
I hope you are kidding about Spicer Bell and Marty Neat. WTF!
Tidewater is right. I was shocked at the low voter turnout as well. It seems to me that most ppl here are self absorbed in their own way that the real news events locally doesnt worry them. The local news media talks the area up as to have won all these awards for best community and best for kids etc. You hear of those "awards" but when there is a rash of burglaries in the area it gets swept under the rug. Also, with all do respect, the overall education level here isnt the highest either and for the intelligent ones your blog is simple to find and addictive. For those that are computer challenged and have the local media blinders on its impossible.
How bought you buy space on that billboard next to the drawbridge. "Your unbiased News Source", Salisbury News. LOL
Best bet? Put a few bars in the area! I am a 28 year old woman, who likes an evening out on the weekends. BUT, being from Baltimore, am not used to having to take a cab from one place to the next. Have a mini Fells Point, or the such. Young citizens and older alike would love the night life and downtown Salisbury would make SUCH a profit :)
If I could open more businesses I would. Please everyone stop talking about new businesses not opening and get off your butt, follow your dreams and open your own. I am sick and tired of seeing Sperry Vaness 6x6 signs on every building in Salisbury. I wish someone would limit the size they can use. I understand they get paid to fill empty locations but they use the same size sign on a 1,000 sq ft small building as tehy do for the Circuit city location. It's advertising for them.
Here we are, Monday morning and this was where I came first to see if there had been any more post concerning this empty woman. I can just imagine how much this post will be on her mind today and the wonderful mood she'll be in. Not that the mood is any different at any other time.
I hope that anyone who listened to her self promoting radio program on WICO had their hip waders on. Crime is down don't you know. Since she won't interview with Reddish and tapes the interview herself so that it's just spin, maybe WICO should review the tapes and allow for rebuttal by guests or callers.
4:01, no mention of planning and zoning (middle of the day and very long)
I believe Barry Tilghman proves that the city of Salisbury needs a full time Manager and not a Mayor.
A Manager who understands budgets, salaries for our city associates,
respect for our police and fire departments. A person who knows how to bring business back to downtown. I have seen many success stories with a Manager form of goverment. Use the Mayor as head of the council. Could you see the resume's for this position. You would not have to live in the city if you are the best candidate. I would love to see a debate on this and other thoughts.
Great article Joe. Mayor Tilghman must be beside herself today after reading this. I'm sorry you have been put through so much financially but I just wanted to say thank you. I enjoy coming to this site every day and like most, I don't always agree with you but I respect your opinion. Barrie Tilghman has clearly driven this city into the ground and if Gary Comegys is elected I believe that whole group of special interest people will be laughing all the way to the bank again for the next 4 years.
Our entire country is being forced into change and we better get on the ball now before it's too late. I will cast my vote for Jim Ireton and he'll receive 4 votes total from this household. Thanks again Joe.
http://www.drudgereport.com/
Looks like Joe has gone nation wide again on the Drudge Report.
where is urban salisbury when you need them! i thought they were supposed to fix this kind of stuff! that organization is is a waste!
1. RE: Urban Salisbury - their director was hired while in Canada and moved here to take the job. You can't expect him to have a vision - he's VERY new. Plus, US has never been anything but an organization that gives out money - a 'sponsor'. They don't really DO anything.
2. RE: the blogs - I don't think the folks walking Church Street at night care about or read the blogs. The Mayor is nuts for suggesting bloggers are the city's biggest problem.
The dowtown area is DEAD. I lived on the plaza, & worked on the plaza & volunteered in that area, and won't go back. It was a waste of time and effort. It won't change while crime and poverty stays so high in Salisbury.
wow! I had no idea what a super, all-powerful blog this is!! SBYNEWS should come with the surgeon general's warning because apparently, once you've read it, you are unconsciously driven to leave your homes and commit crimes all over Salisbury... become a prostitute, sell drugs, hold up a Wendy's, shoot people at ATMs, spray paint the downtown plaza, go out of business, cause sewage leaks, spend millions of taxpayer dollars on sensless equipment and buildings, and/or steal from the county landfill. Seriously, folks... this is dangerous, so be careful. Anyway, I better go... all of a sudden these "malicious bloggers" have made me decide to go pick up my daughter so we can throw punches at a city council member.
oh, and by the way... the dog ate her homework too.
10:27 am -- God bless you and your family!
Tilghman is doing everything she can to tear Ireton down, dismiss everything he says, campaign against him...
Oh, wait, she's not running. Oh, wait, yes, she is -- through Comegys.
Barrie = Gary = Scary is RIGHT!
goodbye mayor,
we gonna miss the high beams.
Mayor Barrie Tilghman is just another Empty Suit.
I take exception to your comment about it's not anyone's business about downtown unless they are a property owner.
I agree no one should tell anyone what to do with their property but, downtown IS Salisbury.
It should be everyone's business what happens there.
And not just the downtown area. The whole city should be everyone's business.
Blaming bloggers is not intelligent, responsible or accurate.
And that comment I read from some lawyer sounds like another assinine supporter of the useless admin.
First time posting here. Thanks for letting me vent.
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