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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Fight Crime, Not Opinion

In today's Daily Times, Salisbury police chief Allan Webster is whining that Salisbury councilwoman Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen are out to get him. After multiple readings and a little bit of research we are unable to find little in the article which is true. However, the intent was clear - to intimidate those that are critical of Webster and other Barrie Tilghman lackeys who have helped quicken the decline of a once great city.

"I did not write by myself or with anyone else a six page document" said councilwoman Debbie Campbell. Debbie went on to say, "I did not write a complaint with Terry Cohen."

When asked why the Daily Times would print a page one article based on nothing more than rumor, Managing Editor Erick Sahler hangs his hat on Webster's statement:

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

According to Sahler, Webster is a credible source. Ironically, Laura D'Alessandro's article refers to an attempt to dismiss Webster in 2002. Two members of that city council were Von Siggers and Rachel Polk. It should be noted that Webster's statements to the Daily Times regarding the now infamous Rachel Polk - Casey Tilghman "rumble in the parking lot" were contradicted by multiple eye witnesses. In addition, Webster made false statements in his lawsuit against SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero. We should also remember that Webster believes that his reputation is worth only $9,999. Doesn't sound very credible to me.

According to Sahler:

We print what people tell us. We print the truth.

Where did Sahler go to school? While certainly not mutually exclusive, what people say and the truth are not NECESSARILY the same thing. Ten years of Mayor Barrie Tilghman provides ample evidence of this fact. Of course, the Daily Times treated almost every word emanating from Tilghman as if it were a nugget from heaven. As for the Daily Times printing the truth, one need only review countless "Media Monday" posts at Delmarva Dealings.

The people of Salisbury deserve better. They deserve a better police chief. They deserve a better newspaper.

READ MORE

This article was posted under the name of G. A. Harrison but was co-authored by G. A. Harrison and SbyNEWS publisher Joe Albero.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

saylor went top school at bennet and was an idiot there to. just got his job because of who he kows.

Anonymous said...

While a daily newspaper is normally a good thing for a town of our size, if Gannett were to close the "Daily Slime" as part of its cost cutting and ongoing restructuring, that would not be a great loss.

Anonymous said...

And they deserve the demise of the self-serving blogs and their narcissistic owners.

Anonymous said...

It is pathetic that we have such an ingrate as our Chief of Police and a no-account newspaper editor. You go get them Joe. Make their lives miserable! That's what they deserve for picking on Debbie and Terry, not to mention the bull**** Webster tried to pull on you. Webster lies constantly, so you can't expect him to have seen and spoken the truth about "the rumble in the City Parking Garage", with his girl friend BPT. Plus this is a good analogy of the two people we speak of, by you and G. A.

Orsonwells said...

Thanks for the clarifications, guys. I've been waiting all day for some light to be shed on the Times' obvious charade.

Anonymous said...

Salisbury should do with Webster what they did in Baltimore County (that's why he's here), but it looks like Jim-beau don't have the stones.

Anonymous said...

The Mayor said,"I dont have anything to do with it" regaurding the Chief of Police. Really sounds like a leader doesnt he. Tell all the victims families that Jim.

Anonymous said...

Throughout the campaign, the DT ALWAYS printed Comegys' word as if it were objective truth, and ALWAYS questioned Ireton's or selectively edited it to undermine the intent. It was a constant battle. And now they put out this article that is sooooo unclear that nobody can make heads or tails of it. Dear DT: do a FOIA request to Webster and get the document. That is what you should have done BEFORE writing this article. Journalism 101.

Anonymous said...

The Daily Grime print the truth, I will be laughing at that all weekend, thanks for the laugh.

Anonymous said...

Who disclosed the contents of the documents to Jonathan Taylor? Which one of the council majority did that or was it his bodyguard Webster?

duck around said...

"The Mayor said,"I dont have anything to do with it" regaurding the Chief of Police. Really sounds like a leader doesnt he. Tell all the victims families that Jim."

No, that's NOT what Mayor Ireton said. He said he didn't have anything to do with the alleged document of complaints that supposedly was created by the two council members, and he doesn't want to get into the middle of a fight between a DT reporter and the two council members.

From the article...
======
Cohen and Campbell said they had filed no formal complaint, and Mayor Jim Ireton said earlier Thursday the document does not exist.

"I'm not getting in the middle of Terry Cohen, Debbie Campbell and The Daily Times," Ireton said. "I don't have anything to do with it."
======
THAT'S what he said. Your comment is just as bad as the shoddy "reporting" Laura D'Alessandro committed.

Anonymous said...

Just trying to draw you out Chuck. I was 2 minutes off.

Anonymous said...

The daily slime also recently drug an spd officer through the mud in an article that was baseless. They even put words in judge davis' mouth that he never uttered. there is no fact checking anymore and i hope they get sued. just because someone tells you something does not mean it is true. just look at the crack head reporter joe posted a picture of on his site the other day.

G. A. Harrison said...

Anon 1801 -

That's excellent! Rather than argue the merits of the post, I am a "punk-assed coward". It's obvious that you wouldn't even qualify to write for the Daily Times.

This is almost as good as being told that this mysterious "report" written by Campbell and Cohen exists because Allan Webster says so. While an obvious lack of education can excuse many things, it does not excuse ignorance.

Besides, I'm not the one who's hiding behind "Anonymous". Therefore, you may want to re-examine who the REAL COWARD is.

Anonymous said...

This is a great post! Most of the problems in this town would go away if Tilghman would have taken her shabby newspaper with her. If that paper was a doctor, it would have its license pulled for malpractice.

Anonymous said...

Webster is a plain old liar!

Anonymous said...

The hang-over, uuhhh the head hurts.

Anonymous said...

I am totally mixed up after reading this morning's Daily Times.

I don't see where Cohen or Campbell confirmed they wrote about Webster.

Since the paper insists these documents are about Webster, is Webster waiving his right to personnel confidentiality?

Another thing I don't get: it seem there are two separate letters. Why is Webster still saying BOTH documents were signed by Cohen and Campbell? Is it Webster or is the writing so bad we can't tell what he's referring to?

Also, the article says there are TWO separate documents. But John Pick says there were "several." Since when is two "several"?

Thanks if you can sort this out.

Anonymous said...

It is plain to see that we have a horrible rag for a paper in this city. They have gotten away with so much over the years. It is sad. Sahler has pick and chose his villians of the month when it comes to law enforcement. He did not like Nelms, Shoenbrunner, and Baker. He called them the three bozos. made cartoons about them.

I have never known this man to interview anyone about the facts. He has some source I guess or he just makes the crap up. I have not purchased one of thier papers in years. If I find one in the stall at work I might read it. The writing on the stall wall have better content and is most of the time has better grammer.

As for Webster lets face the facts. He was a puppet and he has not been a good leader. The man just never had the marbles to lead the city P.D. The I am from Baltimore and you people are inbreds from the shore has cost him in a major way. When in Rome do as the Romans do. If his concepts that brought from Baltimore County Police Department would have worked it might have been a different story. People will overlook a lot of things when you are victorious in battle. This is a war on crime and he is not winning. The Internal Affairs background is why Barrie wanted him because basically she hated the police department.

Jim I. time to put on your big boy panties and do your job. I dont know how much needs to be said when you look at the sad state of affairs in the actual running of S.P.D.

All police departments and Sheriff offices should be run like a true business. You have assets and liabilities. It should not be who you are related to. Who gave more to your campaign. Who you socialize with off duty. The best person for the job period. When you worry more about a car than you do you personel you have failed as a true leader. The man is the actual asset here. When you allow people to walk the halls for eight hours a day with thier thumbs in the exit only. You have failed.

For you elected officials it is easy One Chief, Sheriff etc.. Five Admin. Over 100 road dogs and thier families. You do the math. The strength in vote is a powerful tool.

It is simple business 101. Employees are assets or liabilities. If they are a liability you weed them out. This does not mean if they dont KISS your ass so they cant be a good worker. It means are they productive, Do they know the job, Do they treat the public with courtesy and respect. Chief you are not alone in this way of thinking ther are some other local Law Enforcement leaders doing the exact same thing.

Troops will not follow a leader who has failed them. The troops know bullshit when they see it and hear it. They will continue to work but they will not show support for leadership if it has shown nepatism, bias, and just flat out lies.

Like it or not this is a business and has to be run like one to suceed. The good ole boy bullshit of yesterday is just that it is yeaterdays way of thinking. That is why this country is in the shape it is right now. Corrupt political thinking and actions.

TIME FOR A CHANGE.

Chimera said...

I just wish he would show some respect for his officers and wear a uniform.Rumor has it he wants to be Somerset County Sheriff-but we dont want him!

Anonymous said...

11:01 a.m. said:

"When you worry more about a car than you do you personel you have failed as a true leader."

BRAVO! Right there is why Webster needs to go.

And this from a friend of mine:
Sahler's just a shy, retiring "yes man." Carmean is the real snake over at that rag.

Anonymous said...

It is no secret that citizens are mad as He!! and want change so we can once again walk the streets and feel safe.

Our representives are doing what they are getting paid to do, bring the taxpayers issues to light.

It won't be a non issue, not IF but WHEN we have a fallen officer to mourn.

Anonymous said...

Annon: Agreed time for a change, Go back to Baltimore and Take Webster and all the other Baltimorons with you. This would be a much safer place!

Anonymous said...

Annon:11:01 TIME FOR A CHANGE would be great take Webster with you when you return to Baltimore next time.

Anonymous said...

I don't think Time for a Change is insulting people here. Even locals complain about the good-old-boy network.

Sounds like he is on our side that Webster NEEDS TO GO!

Anonymous said...

I am not from Baltimore. I am from the deep south where people have more respect for one another than they do here. It is sad we have such a great place to live here. I love my neighbors and the county itself. You could not ask for a more beutiful place. It is the poltics everywhere that makes one sick.

I have risk my life for years for total stangers. It did not nor does it matter now where they are from. I belive there must be a middle ground with honesty and intergrity. The men and women who are in the trenches and the public are who pays for lack of leadership and porr planning. Those in the ivory tower sit back and fell untouchable because we the people will not or can not be heard.

The passion i have comes from a far greater source than the reward. My reward is public safety and safe streets. So before one makes a guess as to why I feel the way I do. Walk a twenty year walk in my shoes. I am saddend by grand standing and egos that do not allow cohesiveness umong the poeple and the foot soldiers fighting this war on crime.

I have no solutions about the poverty and ignorance we all must face. I fight crime. I believe if the troops are lead by leaders that have nothing but a true heart and courage we will prevail in this never ending battle against evil that men do.

So know your neighbor, support police. Take a stand on injustice. If a leader is failing the system. The mission statement is no more than words on paper.

God bless and stay safe.

To those in charge remember why you took the career in the first place do not let the corruption of biased politics defeat the cause.