The Cottages at River House, a rental project developed several years ago by a Western Shore group, offers “affordable housing” for older persons who qualify. The project is financed by funds provided by a special governmental program for that type of housing. In order for it to obtain those funds, the City of Salisbury waived the “capacity fee” that the City imposes on new development to obtain money to expand the sewer and water systems. About 70 residents at the project are registered City voters.
At least two candidates in the election for the office of mayor, or their representatives, have asked about distributing their campaign material to residents at “The Cottages” and having a group meeting or candidate forum such as the one held recently at another senior housing facility, Mallard Landing. The facility has space (the “community center”) where a forum or “meet & greet” could be held.
In one case the owner’s representative said that he would pass the request on to his superior. In the other, the owner’s rep stated that the owner was checking with the mayor about what to do. Why Barrie Tilghman would have any role in respect of the request is a real mystery.
Neither candidate has been allowed access for any purpose, and had concluded that the facility did not want to have candidates on the premises. So it came as a surprise that the owner’s general manager, John J. Schuster, Jr. of Westminster, MD, is hosting a luncheon on Monday, March 2, in the community center at The Cottages to introduce the residents to Gary Comegys, the candidate supported by Mr. Schuster.
Schuster has also suggested in a letter to the tenants that Comegys is responsible for development of the Cottages. As far as can be readily determined, his only involvement was voting with other members of the City Council majority to waive the City’s capacity fee – which, of course, means that the other users of the sewer and water systems make up the difference. Guess what that means.
So we have the owner-landlord of a project that was made possible by a gift from the City and taxpayer funding giving special treatment to a candidate for mayor, and showing other candidates the back of the hand – in essence preventing them from speaking with the tenants or even giving them campaign material at the facility. There ought to be a law or regulation to prohibit this discrimination and control by landlords of senior housing (and other) rental facilities for political purposes.
And in this instance – because the project is funded by public dollars – there may be such a prohibition. Many federal programs that provide funds require that the project being funded by such funds cannot be used for partisan political activity. Normally this means that if any candidate is allowed access, then all must be – basically an “all or none” rule. If that applies in this instance, the consequences are not yet known. So we can’t say for sure whether the loan would have to be repaid immediately with whatever result that could have on the viability and continued operation of the project. The residents of “The Cottages” should ask Mr. Schuster to explain in writing the legal consequences and its effect on them before he holds his party for Comegys and Shields.
This scenario says a lot about Comegys, although most people won’t be surprised in light of his past conduct. Maybe this news report about yet another Barrie & Bubba scheme to screw the public will turn enough votes that he is defeated in the primary. Ditto for Shanie Shields, who is also a guest of honor and Mr. Schuster’s special affair for his favored candidates.
Whatever happens, Schuster, Bubba and Shanie -- YOU’VE BEEN BLOGGED!
PS—All voters, including those at The Cottages at River House, can learn about the candidates at their web-sites. Since they are not listed in the on-line version of the voters guide in Sunday’s Daily Times, here they are:
Electbobcaldwell.com
Mikeformayor.net
Friendsofjimireton.com
Garycomegys.com
At least two candidates in the election for the office of mayor, or their representatives, have asked about distributing their campaign material to residents at “The Cottages” and having a group meeting or candidate forum such as the one held recently at another senior housing facility, Mallard Landing. The facility has space (the “community center”) where a forum or “meet & greet” could be held.
In one case the owner’s representative said that he would pass the request on to his superior. In the other, the owner’s rep stated that the owner was checking with the mayor about what to do. Why Barrie Tilghman would have any role in respect of the request is a real mystery.
Neither candidate has been allowed access for any purpose, and had concluded that the facility did not want to have candidates on the premises. So it came as a surprise that the owner’s general manager, John J. Schuster, Jr. of Westminster, MD, is hosting a luncheon on Monday, March 2, in the community center at The Cottages to introduce the residents to Gary Comegys, the candidate supported by Mr. Schuster.
Schuster has also suggested in a letter to the tenants that Comegys is responsible for development of the Cottages. As far as can be readily determined, his only involvement was voting with other members of the City Council majority to waive the City’s capacity fee – which, of course, means that the other users of the sewer and water systems make up the difference. Guess what that means.
So we have the owner-landlord of a project that was made possible by a gift from the City and taxpayer funding giving special treatment to a candidate for mayor, and showing other candidates the back of the hand – in essence preventing them from speaking with the tenants or even giving them campaign material at the facility. There ought to be a law or regulation to prohibit this discrimination and control by landlords of senior housing (and other) rental facilities for political purposes.
And in this instance – because the project is funded by public dollars – there may be such a prohibition. Many federal programs that provide funds require that the project being funded by such funds cannot be used for partisan political activity. Normally this means that if any candidate is allowed access, then all must be – basically an “all or none” rule. If that applies in this instance, the consequences are not yet known. So we can’t say for sure whether the loan would have to be repaid immediately with whatever result that could have on the viability and continued operation of the project. The residents of “The Cottages” should ask Mr. Schuster to explain in writing the legal consequences and its effect on them before he holds his party for Comegys and Shields.
This scenario says a lot about Comegys, although most people won’t be surprised in light of his past conduct. Maybe this news report about yet another Barrie & Bubba scheme to screw the public will turn enough votes that he is defeated in the primary. Ditto for Shanie Shields, who is also a guest of honor and Mr. Schuster’s special affair for his favored candidates.
Whatever happens, Schuster, Bubba and Shanie -- YOU’VE BEEN BLOGGED!
PS—All voters, including those at The Cottages at River House, can learn about the candidates at their web-sites. Since they are not listed in the on-line version of the voters guide in Sunday’s Daily Times, here they are:
Electbobcaldwell.com
Mikeformayor.net
Friendsofjimireton.com
Garycomegys.com
Click on image to enlarge.
If I were one of the other candidates I would show up anyway, What do you say Jim, Bob, Penna? Do you have what it takes to stand up for yourselves? If not how will you ever stand up for the city. Get your butts over there.
ReplyDeleteMr. John J. Shuster,
ReplyDeleteIt is city council, not city "counsel." Dumba$$
1:46-
ReplyDeleteWhen I drove by that place this morning, the other candidates were there -- along the sidewalk -- with signs. They can't go on the premises to speak with residents because John Schuster has declared them to be enemies, no dount doing what Barrie and Bubba have ordered.
EVERYONE:
ReplyDeleteIf you have a friend or relative who lives there, please send them this post or call and discuss with them.
Suggest that they use both of their votes in the primary on Tuesday -- for Bob Caldwell and Jim Ireton.
Let's Bump Bubba!
Although I heard this second hand, I heard when the other candidates tried asking if they could meet with residents there Shuster said he'd have to ask the Mayor first.
ReplyDeleteI guess it all depends on who you want to believe on that one, eh???
Out-standing, for the first time they have impressed me. The people who live in this community are older and they will see the truth.
ReplyDeleteNeed to get this on the evening news,(local).
ReplyDeleteJoe, I don't live in Maryland and don't know what the jurisdictional rules are there, but someone may want to file a complaint with the local elections board (if you have one, and I would presume you do) and a complaint with your state election board (all states have them).
ReplyDeleteEven if you think it's a useless exercise, it's important to get the concern on record.
Also, am I to take it that the two in question are incumbents? If so, then they may very well, in concert with this developer, have violated federal law. This should be mentioned in the complaint to the elections board.
In addition to the elections board, a similar complaint should be lodged with local and state ethics boards, even if to just get the complaint out there as a matter of public record.
My sympathies to you. Any political dolt with half a brain knows you don't do "private" meetings with complexes.
If there is any 501(c)3 status with any of them, in addition to Fed funding, there's IRS violations, too.
Candi from GA
Thank You Candi, we do have attorneys on top of this illegal activity but your suggestion is a good one.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find most interesting is, will the Citizens vote someone into Office that will likely end up in Jail because of this? Won't make much of a Mayor from a Jail Cell.
Mr Shuster I really think you should reconsider this. Are you sure you want this heat? Take some free advice and allow all to attend or cancel this event.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I went there myself on Thursday morning, and spoke to the gentleman there and he must have mistaken me for someone from the city even after I introduced myself to him. He went on to tell me about the paving of the road in front of the development. Than I again told him why I was there and he told me that I could not even go give a friend of mine my information before I had the approval of Mr. Schulster. He also said he would get back to me and never has.
ReplyDeleteI have spoken to Laura at the Daily Rag and she told me in no uncertain terms that there was no story there and no laws were being broken. Also this morning when myself and Mr. Caldwell were there a crew from WBOC were to be there and never showed said another story was more important about the weather.
I have also tried to contact Mr. Schulster by phone with no responce.
Nothing but pure corruption in Salisbury politics. It is starting to smell like Chicago and Obamaland.
ReplyDeleteIf Gary Comegys was a real man he would step up to the plate and refuse to participate in any of these underhanded moves. He won't because he is desperate for his 15 minutes of fame as the Mayor of Salisbury. What a loser. I heard his nickname in school was "Lunch Money" because all the kids in school would beat him up and take his lunch money.
Hopefully Bubba and Shameless Shanee will get bumped in the primary and we can send Mr. Shuster and his developement packing.
ReplyDeleteI woke up this morning, Sunday morning March 1, 2009 at 6:30 am to my radio alarm clock. On WICO 1320 am I was grossed out by what came on. It was Monday Morning with the Mayor and it was oviously taped because she was talking about tomorrow morning being election day. Guess who she was interviewing for Candidate for Mayor. You got it, Bubba Comagees. It was nothing but a free plug to get her boy bubba in office. It was full of lies and every other word was uh and um. She is setting him up for nothing more than a fluff piece for the election. It is extremely disgusting and a waste of air time. If you turn it on now you may get to hear some of it. He is now blasting the other candidates saying they don't have the insight or experience like he does.
ReplyDeleteBarrie Parsons Tilghman is taking advantage of her position and free time with that radio station to plug her personal agenda. Everyone should be outraged with that and call WICO and demand they pull the plug on her show tomorrow. If you don't Bubba might get through the Primary. Did any of the other candidates get interviewed on her show? NO! Just Bubba Comagys.
Barrie Tilghman and Bubba this is very unethical of you two and extremely corrupt.
Everyone should call Delmarva Broadcasting at 410-219-3500 and demand they don't air her show anymore.
You can also email Bill Reddish at billreddish@comcast.net starting now.
Can this development lose it's federal funding due to these partisan tactics?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteCan this development lose it's federal funding due to these partisan tactics?
3:58 PM
It's very possible, do as Candi suggests and report it.
I'm very troubled with the corrupt
ReplyDeletepolitics in Salisbury and the rest of the country. We have lost our ethics and have been consumed with greed. It is obvious that Comegy
and Shield are very ignorant .
I live 20 miles from Salisbury ,
thank the good Lord. If the residents of this town re-elect
either these , you will regret it.
By the way , Polk isn't any better.
Who in hell does this guy Shuster think he is? That's a civic center supported by our tax dollars and he thinks he can say who will or won't get to go to his luncheon BS. We need to send him back across the pond with a sore A**, after we kick it there.
ReplyDeleteand report it to HUD. From what that letter says it appears that even if the event is cancelled there could already be a problem for Schuster, Comegys and Shields.
ReplyDeleteIt is ashame that Bubba doesn't have what it takes to win on his own. That he does not have the resume to pull from but instead needs others to cheat his way in. I hope the public sees this.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Gary Comegys care about elder residents when he had Child support issues? Gary is looking out for Gary once again.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that the citizens and voters are only being made aware that one candidate is running for mayor of this town. This has happened many times in history that there is only one candidate in a particular race, and in a setting like a retirement home, may be made to be plausible. I would think the Daily Times, being the top news agency in town, would be most interested in interviewing the citizens of this facility and ask them if they are aware of the other candidates, and have access to their websites, and have heard their views. Tomorrow is an important day for this to happen, unless there is another news source that could educate these folks before the paper reports it whenever is convenient.
ReplyDeleteI would think that 47 and perhaps 16 would be right on this. The DT would likely spin it as "poor Gary" rather than "what a shame and perhaps an illegality that low income seniors are being exploited." They don't find shame in the dirty tactics because they embrace and further them.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to share something here with everyone. I not only exposed this to everyone at 47 News, WMDT last night, I also contacted them again today, just after I posted this information. They are well aware of it. I also happen to know that WBOC is also aware of this information. If you don't see it on their shows tonight and tomorrow, shame on them.
ReplyDeleteHey, will Schuster put them all on the bus they have there and take the residents to vote, too?
ReplyDeleteWe all need to give Schuster a real reality check--call him tonight.
Do not let Gary/Shanie get away with this--all the candidates get to go or none.
Schuster's fax number has been located by a savvy Joe reader and posted--somebody with a fax machine fax all these comments to Schuster.
ReplyDeleteSchuster wants two new phases out at the Cottages--is Gary a quid pro quo????
Gotcha, Schuster.
I hope they lose their Federal Funding for trying to fix an election.
ReplyDeleteI'd like somebody there to tell me if I was running I couldn't give anything to a relative that lives there. They would see what ugly truly is.