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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A Letter To The Editor 1

We've come a long way since 1732. In 227 years, Salisbury has grown from nothing into a meaningful little city. We have expanded far beyond the dreams of our founders.

Sometimes, though, in an effort to expand we overlook the core values of what made it possible -- and in addition to those values, perhaps the very center of our being.

Downtown Salisbury is our beginning. Growth emanated from the center, the core and the heart of our town.

Now there are those whose attention has been diverted to loftier things. They are ready to ignore what they see as a dying area.

Yet in a very brief time (and with limited but most-appreciated city funding), Urban Salisbury is laying the foundation for a grand resuscitation of our neglected downtown. Volunteers -- from architects to business folks, from city and county employees to shopkeepers, from doctors to homemakers -- all have worked together in the very best kind of public-private partnership.

Urban Salisbury needs funding to continue this great program. It's not a handout; it's an investment that offers a grand return on investment that can be measured in dollars, hours and results.

Many of us are involved in this partnership and many more can be. The responsibility to preserve and enhance the center of Salisbury is on all of us. It's a sensible project for current and future generations.

As often has been asked: If not us, then who? If not now, then when?

Bill Ahtes

Salisbury

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Please let us know where we can view your plans for the city. We have no idea what to support. I have heard it's a wonderful plan, but have no way of knowing.

After that, maybe we could support you.

Anonymous said...

How much are the property owners in that area going to contribute or is it all based on hypothetical "grant money" courtesy of the taxpayers?

Anonymous said...

I agree I would like to know just what are your plans for the city and how you expect to pay for it. I hear that you need money, I just do not know why.

Wanda Disharoon

Cruggly said...

Whos going to get paid from it, you???

Anonymous said...

Unless the property owners are willing to provide much (that means most) of the funds then it's "No Way" for taxpayers to fund things that will primarily benefit a few.

Some of them should follow in the footsteps of the owner of the old theater building near Route 13 -- demolition.

Anonymous said...

Ye redo the city center the rich down in tonytank.
And then a guy like me can go down there and pay some rich guy like you $6.00 for a small cup of coffee.
No thanks , downtown is dead let it stay that way , unless the pay scale comes up in salisbury for the working people past the 1960 rate.

Anonymous said...

Bill:

How about an old-time seafood restaurant down there -- you know the kind.

Anonymous said...

Downtown is dead. RIP

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr. Ahtes:

We have put huge amounts of City tax dollars into the "downtown" to pay for things to benefit the property owners and businesses (present and former) there. Now you and the rest want more -- when does it end?

How about right now!

Anonymous said...

Your a millionaire, why dont you spend your money.

Anonymous said...

Put a fork in it, should have happened 20 years and thousands of wasted $$ ago.

Anonymous said...

Who did Mr. Ahtes support (with $$$) in the recent City election?

Anonymous said...

Enough is Enough!

Since it was former, Urban Salisbury has gotten over $250,000 of City funding.

I rest my case.

Anonymous said...

Bill A:

Better hire Mr. Dunn and Ms. Cathcart -- the dynamic duo -- to shill for this nonsense until their buddy Bubba is bounced in the next election.

Jus think of it: The "Dream Team" . . . together again!

Anonymous said...

Bill:

Wanna buy an old empty firehouse cheap (that's the only way, right)?

Anonymous said...

Hey, the firehouse would make a great restaurant (seafood and all). Also, a little beer brewery on the side. Don't be mean to Mr. Ahtes. He is right. BUT, we need to know when the meetings are and see a plan. WE CAN DO IT. We don't need outsiders so come on Mr. Ahtes lead the way and we will help.

Anonymous said...

Your not going to have a downtown until you get the thugs out of there. People are scared to go downtown. To many genetic mutants to deal with.

Orsonwells said...

US has a plan, just no way to get it on their website. If someone with the talent to do so would step up to the plate and get their site updated with this material, I would love to see the plan. I do think downtown needs to be a populated busy place with residential and commercial activity, and I think US is heading in this direction; but without I.T. help, they are having trouble getting the word out.

How about it, college students? Right after exams, stop by and set these guys up. It would probably be short work for you and a huge benefit to us all!

Or anyone else that could help, for that matter.

Anonymous said...

"If not now, then when?"

Never!