Daily Times Still Can’t Get It “Write”!

What happens when you have little to no command of the English language, are lazy, opinionated, and unable to admit that you’re wrong?  You go to work for the Delmarva Media Group, the Gannett unit which publishes Salisbury’s Daily Times.

Case in point – yesterday’s fiasco over the non-existent “report” authored by Salisbury councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen.  As we pointed out yesterday, Daily Times managing editor Erick Sahler claims that the article is credible because Salisbury PD chief Allan Webster is credible.  Let’s review what reporter Laura D’Alessandro and Webster had to say:

… a six-page document listing complaints against the city's top law official has reportedly been crafted by Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen.

"I have seen the document, but I can't comment its contents," Webster said late Thursday. "I will be
responding in the near future."

As we noted, there was no report, six pages or otherwise.  However, the Daily Times simply can’t admit that they were wrong.  Instead, they are attempting to “clarify” their own poor journalism by running another biased piece on Saturday, better known as “Take out the trash day” in newspaper and political circles.

In today’s piece Webster attempts to hold the party line:

Webster reiterated Friday that he has both documents in his possession.

"Both documents were authored and signed by Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen and dated for June; I got copies of them sent to me late Thursday," Webster said. "But I still can't discuss the contents yet because of personnel restrictions. I will be responding to them in the near future, though."

While Webster now admits that there are TWO documents (instead of his previously stated ONE report), he still implies that both documents were authored by Campbell and Cohen.  While I realize that Webster, his defenders, and the Daily Times (I apologize for the redundancy) will argue that there is no difference, they would be mistaken as usual.  IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES and WORDS HAVE MEANING.  If Webster’s grasp of basic grammar is so poor, it merely lends more credence to the argument that he is not fit to formulate policy or give orders.  Since Salisbury’s new mayor, Jim Ireton, is a grade school reading teacher, perhaps he can offer Webster and his defenders a little one-on-one tutoring if he decides to keep the man who has overseen Salisbury sinking to its current crime ridden reputation.

Despite the complete lack of credibility of their “credible source”, the Daily Times insists on continuing to smear the character of Campbell and Cohen while defending Webster – a relic of an administration which was run out of town on a rail (given former mayor Barrie Tilghman’s inability to seek re-election and Ireton large victory against her anointed successor).  Why else would D’Alessandro choose to question whether or not Cohen was truthful in her response:

Cohen reportedly submitted a five-page document to Ireton relaying “constituent concerns” …

Beyond attempting to cover their past mistakes with more innuendo, the Daily Times did manage to include one bit of news in their report:

“I’ve requested a copy of any documents or allegations against Chief Webster,” (Salisbury councilman Gary) Comegys said.  “I feel the entire council is entitled because these documents were sent by council members and the information should be shared.  I’m getting quite a few constituents asking questions about something I have been given no information on.  …”

IF council members are permitted to review the personnel files of department heads (or city employees) then he is absolutely correct that he should be given access AND that he should review them, given that Webster has chosen to make this a news story.  This is not only a prudent action, it is the right one.  However, if council members are not routinely permitted access to personnel files of department heads (or city employees), then Ireton would be foolish to grant access.

If this is important enough to Comegys, he should then introduce legislation requiring such access.  This would firmly set policy rather than making it personal whim.  However, Comegys will have a tough time making a case because of his past claims of the almost dictatorial supremacy of the city’s executive.  Perhaps he should ask Campbell or Cohen to introduce the legislation for him since they have always advocated a more mainstream role for the city’s legislative branch, including a vigorous oversight role.

I’m waiting to see what the next attempt at smearing Campbell and Cohen will be.  I’m also waiting to see how many times it will take them to get an attack right without appearing so obviously biased.