After six years in office, Salisbury councilman Gary Comegys seems to have found some respect for the Salisbury city charter and the rule of law. At Tuesday's council meeting Comegys correctly argued that Mayor Jim Ireton's last minute budget amendments were contrary to the city's charter. I would have stood up and applauded Comegys if not for the fact that he is one of the parties responsible for making the Salisbury city council an irrelevant body.
To date, Comegys has been one of those who disagreed with my stance that rules are to be followed. When his mistress, the Queen of Barrieland, was in power Comegys argued time and again that Salisbury's form of government dictated that the mayor was to be given the widest latitude (if not absolute power). If the recent mayoral election had swung Comegys' way I am confident that he would still be arguing his bizarre interpretation of the city's charter.
However, just because the guy I supported is in power does not negate the fact that the city's budget belongs to council until approved. Any amendments must emanate from, if not originate in, the city council. Yes, Ireton was correct regarding the city's health insurance plan and the inclusion of city council members. However, any amendment still needed to be adopted by council prior to its inclusion in the final budget ordinance.
While councilwoman Terry Cohen made a persuasive argument that Ireton's actions were correct, she was wrong. Simply because there is a precedent for the mayor acting unilaterally does not make it legal or right. If a majority of council were truly interested in being a relevant body they would simply require all but emergency legislation to come before at least one work session prior to consideration in a legislative session. Cohen would probably agree with this. However, the Comegys-led majority simply could not entertain such a notion. If they adopted this under a Mayor Ireton they would be hard pressed to go back to the old ways if Ireton failed to win re-election.
Perhaps Comegys can learn a lesson from this. You reap what you sow.
To date, Comegys has been one of those who disagreed with my stance that rules are to be followed. When his mistress, the Queen of Barrieland, was in power Comegys argued time and again that Salisbury's form of government dictated that the mayor was to be given the widest latitude (if not absolute power). If the recent mayoral election had swung Comegys' way I am confident that he would still be arguing his bizarre interpretation of the city's charter.
However, just because the guy I supported is in power does not negate the fact that the city's budget belongs to council until approved. Any amendments must emanate from, if not originate in, the city council. Yes, Ireton was correct regarding the city's health insurance plan and the inclusion of city council members. However, any amendment still needed to be adopted by council prior to its inclusion in the final budget ordinance.
While councilwoman Terry Cohen made a persuasive argument that Ireton's actions were correct, she was wrong. Simply because there is a precedent for the mayor acting unilaterally does not make it legal or right. If a majority of council were truly interested in being a relevant body they would simply require all but emergency legislation to come before at least one work session prior to consideration in a legislative session. Cohen would probably agree with this. However, the Comegys-led majority simply could not entertain such a notion. If they adopted this under a Mayor Ireton they would be hard pressed to go back to the old ways if Ireton failed to win re-election.
Perhaps Comegys can learn a lesson from this. You reap what you sow.
13 comments:
GA, why did Wilber allow it in the first place. To me, it shows the man was just as involved as the rest of them and should get the boot.
I agree with Joe.
If the roles had been reversed (Ireton/Tilghman) and Ireton had been responsible for this insurance nightmare AND if Tilghman had tried to make the last minute amendment, Comegy's would of supported Tilghman 100%.
AS for Wilber, he needs to go.
You are correct. Comegy's motion was vague and invalid. Louise should have never allowed the item on the agenda in its amended form (it just proves that she spent more time on her "budget address" than reading the budget).
Wilber's case is a bit different. He has repeatedly ruled in favor of Barrie Tilghman in the past on these matters and would be setting himself up for trouble if he changed horses in mid-stream. More importantly, Wilber is very careful to only answer questions. Since that question was never posed to him, he passed.
It was hilarious watching Comegys turn bright red when his motion was voted down! But you are right, G.A (and I am a huge supporter of Ireton). The council should have approved the budget amendment. It was also funny watching Shanie and Louise try to figure out how they were supposed to vote. Here's hoping they all get this straightened out by fixing the loopholes in the charter. Thelegacy of the Tighlman administration is slowly being erased, thank goodness.
There is no language in the Salisbury City Charter that supports the argument by Bubba that Ireton's "last minute" change of the Mayor's proposed budget is "contrary to the city's charter."
learn the rule of law! You mean he is not parking in handicap spaces anymore?
"You reap what you sow" is something joe should keep in mind
Anon 1320 -
You would be mistaken. Once the budget ordinance is accepted at first reading, it belongs to the legislature - meaning the city council.
Any amendments would have to either originate with the legislature or be approved by it. The only other option available for the Mayor is to veto a bill and then ask that certain changes be made.
I realize that it may kill you to admit that Comegys was correct on this, but he was. As I also noted in my post, this is probably the first time that Gary has ever asserted this legislative prerogative.
"the first time that Gary has ever asserted this legislative prerogative."
Of convienience to his agenda i might add. He's still a POS. Even a blind squirrel can find an acorn every now and again.
Bet he had to change his pants after the vote.
Comegys was petty and made it "personal" as he said. This whole thing has been orchestrated to take focus off of the WWTP and the law suit. Go do some digging. As long as everyone is paying attention to this little feeding frenzie, thanks largely to the Daily Times, lots of other ill deeds put into play by the former administration will go on unnoticed.
Disagree with you, G.A. I watched and listened to that discussion on PAC14 like a hawk.
Terry Cohen didn't make the argument that Ireton's move was okay because it had precedent (sp?). The precedent she referred to was the council's addressing health insurance matters through discussion and resolutions.
Also disagree with you that Mayor Ireton didn't have a right to correct. He wasn't just adding something like, "My predecessor should have asked for more in the highway fund." The "omission" by the former mayor, Her Highness, was done illegally (for spite and to set up this whole ethics controversy for her boy Bubba to champion).
Having been to budget session or two before, the council doesn't vote on whether to add or delete things that the department heads or the mayor show "had to" be added (like a fee or figure from the state that had to be updated).
I will agree with you that Louise Smith should have nipped this boondoggle in the bud.
And I agree with the person blaming Wilber. Both Cohen and Smith asked his advice and he said it could be voted on by its mere inclusion in the budget.
G.A., isn't this abuse of power by both the former mayor and the likes of Gary Comegys? (I think 8:14 p.m. has another good point.)
Do you or anyone else know of a situation where elected officials set up other elected officials for an ethics charge the way this was done? I haven't.
Bubba's ethics is still being investigated at SHA and a few more heads may roll yet. His bosses that knew this was happening need to be introduced to the door OUT!
Post a Comment