PRESS STATEMENT BY TERRY E. COHEN, SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER
JULY 10, 2009
COHEN CORRECTS AND CLARIFIES DAILY TIMES ARTICLE REGARDING CHIEF WEBSTER
The Daily Times today did another disservice to the citizens of Salisbury by crafting a front-page of alleged news out of the newspaper’s speculation about vague rumors. This drains time, resources and attention away from important work and issues of the City, including crime, blight, and problems at the wastewater treatment plant.
Today, I hope to correct and clarify information about actions of which I have direct knowledge in an effort to maintain the public trust with transparency to the greatest possible degree allowed by law.
First, I did not collaborate with Council Member Debbie Campbell on any document concerning Salisbury Police Chief Alan Webster. I cannot speak for what Councilwoman Campbell may or may not have done, but can only speak for my own actions.
I wrote (under my own signature alone) and hand-delivered to Mayor Jim Ireton a letter reporting concerns raised in a meeting with constituents about crime, law enforcement and quality of life issues. The letter also addressed other citizen complaints. It included issues raised at the Mayor’s Crime Task Force open meeting, which I attended in June. I advised the Daily Times reporter of these facts.
Some details in the letter constitute personnel issues. Therefore, I cannot answer questions about them or provide more about the letter’s contents than the information above.
Second, I simply did my job as an elected representative of the people of Salisbury to inform the mayor of constituent issues and complaints concerning law enforcement and one or more city employees, as well as my own concerns based on this information. An elected representative relaying such concerns to the elected chief executive officer who administers operations and staff is a normal process of government. It is the mayor’s job, by charter, to decide what, if any, action is needed.
I cannot speak for what Mayor Ireton has or has not done with my letter, or will or will not do with it. Mayor Ireton is the only person to whom I’ve provided the letter. Again, by charter, it is his decision what, if anything, is to be done next regarding the information.
In the future, if there is newsworthy action or information concerning personnel or operations that can be provided to the public within the limits of the law, I trust that will be provided. Until then, I look forward to returning my attention to the important job I have of representing the citizens of Salisbury and working on their behalf.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
20 comments:
Of course Mrs. Cohen never met with or discussed this with Mrs. Campbell. Simply put that would be illegal. I trust Mrs. Cohen's explanation.
I see no way if the two of them had discussed it how it would be illegal. Nevertheless, it never happened anyway.
Girl got some kick in her, how sexy is that. Your going down Webster, and Jim you better get with the program buddy.
Daily Grunt and poop is getting so flushed it has nothing to do except grasp at jack straws.
Ever heard of open meeting laws? No business shall be discussed by officials in private except as provided for in law.
That's ONLY if there are three or more Council Members at one time.
7:34, ever hear of personnel confidentiality laws? Also, letters by an individual official aren't covered by open meetings laws.
The suspense killing you much?
Atta Girl, Cohen. Thank you for bringing citizen concerns to the mayor's attention!
Like that lunch, anybody remember that?
I believe Terry Cohen!
A lot of people have been crying out about Webster in the last couple months. And we've had another murder.
Surely some of these folks have contacted Cohen or Campbell. What should they have done, say "Tuff Luck"?
Daily Times is just trying to stir poop.
I believe that Cohen and Campbell never talked about writing their separate letters on Webster, which happened to reach the mayor at about the same day, if not the same day, about as much as I believe I can get objective, factual news from this blog.
You go ladies! Anyone who knows Webster and the reputation of SPD knows that he is crap and needs to go.
Get on board Louise, Gary and Shanie--it's time to address the serious issues. Do you have the guts to do it?
I believe Terry Cohen also as well as Debbie Campbell. That lying bunch of fools on the council and at the police department need to go. Are you reading this Jim Smith, uh I mean Ireton.
this probably isnt the place for this but whats up with DT posting comments and then deleting them after they have been read and commented on? just thought id pass that along
Don't Know Much About this Situation,
But I Do Know FOR A FACT Salisbury Police Department Was Contacted About Heavy Drug Dealing Going On At One Specific Location Numerous Times In The Past Year.Yet Still Year Later Heavy Dealing Is Going On From This One House!!!!
Witnessed With My Own Eyes!!!!!
Don't Give me That Shit About Its Under Investigation When The POS Are Standing Right Out In Plain View Handing Bag After Bag Of Drugs And The Police Have Been Aware Of This For A Year.Just How Many Damn Bags Need To Be Sold Before You All Raid This Damn House????????I Want A Answer Webster.You Have Been Giving the Address Numerous Times!!!!
Do You Need Me To Come Up Put You In The Police Car And Drive You Around And Assest You On Proper Way To Handle These Dealers? Or You Going To Continue To Allow Them to Shit All Over Salisbury???
And Yet They Say They Want The Publics Help.When The Public Tries To Help They Act Like We Are The Criminals!!!!!
7:17, too bad for you then. It's totally believable. We've had a rash of armed robberies, murder, and other crimes. Even the Daily Slime has been saying there's a public outcry about crime and leadership.
Who knows what triggered the timing for each of these ladies. I don't care. They are doing their jobs and standing up for the people.
Is Webster? No. All he cared about during the election was trying to debate the man who would become his boss!
That's what this is all about. Webster has been more concerned about his job than about DOING his job.
here ye here ye!! Drugs/Prostituion/and Robberies are rampid in the Bury. Thanks for bringing Lil Baltimore closer to the Beach!!
Here's the problem right here:
"I advised the Daily Times reporter of these facts."
The Times wasn't interested in facts. That Laura reporter is a crappy writer, too. Most of her stuff is badly written.
wish we had elected terry for mayor.
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