Last night the Salisbury Mayor and City Council really showed their true colors. How quickly some forget where they came from. Mayor Ireton knows just how many of the people that supported him stand behind Ann Von Forthubet, yet he immediately went on the attack telling her the Council Chambers was not the place for such drama.
I beg to differ Mayor Ireton. Put yourself in Ann's shoes for just a moment. A little more than a year ago she experienced a home invasion to which she awoke from her sleep to a man yielding a knife standing over her and ultimately threatening and harming her.
The Salisbury Police Chief absolutely screwed up on the investigation and right now you have a very scared woman, (a taxpayer) who has had no comfort for more than a year now. Louise Smith, (as well as yourself Mayor) knew she held a Press Conference not that long ago referencing this matter and none of you attended. Nevertheless, put yourself in her shoes. She believes the person who broke into her home lives in her community and every single day lives in fear that it might happen again. There's been no closure.
I know that if I were Mayor or President of the City Council, I would do everything I could to comfort this woman and assure you the proper attention was being placed on this matter. Why on God's Green Earth would you force this woman to publicly give out her address, especially when in the past she was allowed to speak WITHOUT doing so because of the home invasion. Do you really want us to dig out the video from that meeting and prove she never gave either. I know for a FACT that I have personally, (on many occasions stated, "Joe Albero, Delmar, Delaware) and was never told I needed to give my full address. It is written on the sign in sheet and that should have been enough, especially in Ann's position and situation.
Mistakes do happen and in my honest opinion, Mayor Ireton has absolutely no real business experience. He carries himself perfectly when it comes to press conferences or media events but when it comes to real life crisis situations I believe he's very green. Will that change in time, absolutely. Mayor Ireton is not a stupid man, just inexperienced. Salisbury will deliver him a crash course on how to deal with lots of pressure and his buddies will come to his rescue as often as he screws up. However, it always amazes me how it only takes a select few friends who will say all the right things on his behalf and the next thing you know, everything is all better.
Well, no it's not. What Louise Smith and Mayor Ireton did last night was disgraceful. While a hand full of close friends may pat Ireton on the back, many more, (who supported him) will not accept this kind of behavior. Louise Smith knew what Ann was going to say last night and they pre planned shutting her down before she went public on PAC 14.
We are experiencing more of the same. Ask yourself this question. Would you EVER see this happen in a County Council Meeting? Absolutely Not! Mayor Ireton, take a good long look at the photos above. The excitement was unbelievable this day in which you were sworn in. Standing ovations, friends, family members and true supporters, excited about their new Mayor. If we were to take a poll today on your performance so far, my guess is the only people that would back you are family members and a hand full of close friends that are die hard democrats that would support anything and everything you do no matter what. Is that how you want to live out your term as Mayor.
There are a lot of unhappy people right now. Many people firmly believe the Chief of Police needs to be terminated, Ireton is too afraid of a lawsuit. Mind you Folks, the City is insured for such a lawsuit and has much deeper pockets than Chief Webster will ever have. Webster has threatened and proceeded to sue MANY people who disagree with him. Ireton needs to grow a pair and simply let the man go. Once again, if you were to do another poll and ask the citizens if they'd like to see the Chief be replaced I can assure you it would be an overwhelming yes. Get your tail out from between your legs Mayor and start doing what the people elected you to do. Re-evaluate ALL Department Heads, as promised. Poll the Council and see where each one of them stand referencing the termination of Chief Webster and make those results public. If they refuse to participate, take that pressure off your shoulders once and for all.
Run the City like a business and quit trying to make everyone your friend. Look at the Chief's position like a Head Coach of a Professional Football Team. In our case the opposing team, (the criminals) are winning day after day, game after game. How many more lives have to be taken. How many more home invasions have to happen before you people wake up. More importantly, just take a look at how Mayor Ireton and Louise Smith handled a victim last night. All over an address, come on now! At least show some compassion.
Sounds alot like our new Mayor is emmulating our new Presidend smooth talker but no idea of what he is doing.
ReplyDeleteIreton CANNOT simply fire the chief.
ReplyDeleteHe needs a MAJORITY of the Council in order to terminate any department head.
He DOES NOT have the Council votes to get rid of the chief.
I just commented on the other post about this.
ReplyDeleteMayor Ireton blamed the drama on the victim, not where the blame belonged, with Louise Smith, the true drama queen.
Good post, Joe. Stay on it.
Joe,
ReplyDeleteThe problem is Ireton cannot fire Webster without the support of the council, which he clearly doesn't have. If he brings this all to a head now, he cannot do it again after Louweasal and Bubba are sent packing. It sucks, but thats the way it is. Blame the people that allowed worthless Shanie to get re-elected.
"he's not stupid, he's just inexperienced" - yeah, Joe, you are correct. WE are the STUPID ones for even voting for Ireton. WE are the stupid ones who actually believed he would make a difference. And please don't tell me to "give him some more time" - he has shown us who he is, who he will be, and who he always was - just another loser politicial who don't know how the "real people" struggle with crime, poverty, and quality of life issues.
ReplyDeleteI think whole situation last night is a disgusting display of the Salisbury City Council. It is disgraceful the way that lady was treated and if the coucil had any decency they would publically apologize and help this woman.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely the lady should have been allowed to speak. However, in all due respect to her, the fact that she did hold a public press conference where she clearly stated her name to the public on TV, makes me question her motives as to why she decided not to disclose it yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that anyone can go back and pull her name of the TV report negates the PAC-14 issue.
Anon 10:37 get your head out of your a$$. She didn't refuse to give her name, she simply stated that Louise Smith already had her home address, for the record. It was not necessary for her to reveal it publicly on PAC 14 or for those in attendance.
ReplyDeleteOnly 4 months now and I'm sick of Ireton!
ReplyDeleteLast year when she spoke to council she was referred to as The Lady from the Lake, no name, no address.
ReplyDelete10:37 if you knew what you were talking about you would have a good argument. Since you are dead wrong, this negates your comment.
Ireton, unfortunately, continues to demonstrate the lack of maturity and professional demeanor one expects from a person in such a leadership position.
ReplyDeleteWe the people must hope that an increased level of maturation will occur in the behavior of the Mayor, or the next three years are going to be long and arduous!
Dont you all get it? These elected people dont give a sh!t about any of you. They care only about their agenda and their EGOS. Your nothing to them but an incovienence. Thats the truth of the matter. You can talk til your blue in the face and it wont change a thing.
ReplyDeleteIreton based his decision to run for mayor on the input of his family. He said he would not do anything that would not make his mother proud. I can't help but wonder if she is proud of him this morning for his actions last night.
ReplyDelete"HELP IS ON THE WAY"
ReplyDeleteDo we really need a City government?
ReplyDeleteI can only hope and pray for the sake of their families, they never have to deal with what Ann is dealing with. I hope thier loved ones will find more compassion and help from their elected officials. My heart goes out to her. And there is a reason I moved rather than raise my family and live in the city of Salisbury. Each and every day, it is confirmed I made the right decision for my loved ones. I do hope one day, they think about what if it was their mother or sister sitting there. Would they feel and act the same way
ReplyDelete10:37, the lady gave her name. She just didn't want to broadcast her home address because she was assaulted IN HER HOME!
ReplyDeleteSmith was a disgrace. Ireton stood up for her, instead of the victim.
I want my vote back on BOTH of them!
It was one of my loved ones and the guy was still around he would be dealt with. Trust me he would run away afterwards, if he could.
ReplyDeleteSalisbury would much better off if they send the chief packing, with his salary until such time as his contract runs out. I assume he was required to sign a contract when he was hired.
ReplyDeleteHell, if they have too they can give him his Crown Vic which he is so proud of.
How many more people will have to be murdered before the City realizes they must restore the credability of the Police Dept?
I watched and was blown away. You're right, Joe. Lack of professionalism.
ReplyDeleteMost of the meeting went smoothly. Cohen just clicked along, asking questions, tossed in a few attaboys, things moved along, the BAM! Smith is gaveling down this woman then BAM! The meeting's over and everyone is like, what happened?
I've had one encounter with Smith. She was so drippy sweet, it was phony as can be. I met Debbie Campbell once. Nice, sweet, but very businesslike. I have come in contact with Cohen twice. Very smart and professional. Things would be very different on that council now if Shields had not won.
But that's no excuse for Ireton sucking up to Smith at the expense of a citizen.
it really concerns me the way this lady was treated by our elected officals.(smith and ireton) she has had a really rough time. she hasnt seen the perp caught and she is very upset. that is certainly understandable. Louise seemed to be upset that this lady was talking above the chair.(meaning Louise) in that respect, louise was justified; however, i feel like Louise should have made an exception in this case and let the lady speak. thanks sjd
ReplyDeleteMaybe the cops should of done a better job and she wouldnt have to be at the meeting to begin with.
ReplyDeleteLooks like "Mare" Ireton is doing just what I expected- posing! Let's do a recall!
ReplyDeleteThe behaviour of the city council toward this woman is unfathomable. Their glass houses are just as vulnerable as the rest of us. Let's see what happens if one of them is attacked in their own home. Disrespectful and uncalled for. They should be ashamed of themselves. It's obvious they are embaressed or they wouldn't have shut her down.
ReplyDeleteBoth Louise Smith and Ann von Forthubet could have handled the situation better as I saw on PAC 14.
ReplyDeleteAnn, clearly a distressed citizen on an issue plaguing the city, ought to have been allowed to talk.
Louise Smith should have acted calmly to difuse the situation rather than go on a power trip to silence the woman. Ann should have not escalated the situation and should have spoke calmly, though her outrage is warranted.
Mayor Ireton should have been a leader and said enough is enough and took control of the situation.
"Ms. Smith you absolutly will not treat a citizen like that or abuse your power. Ms. Forthubet please stay calm, you will be heard. This is an important issue and everyone must be allowed to speak their mind."
Instead Louise got her way again and silenced the issue on crime and the lack of work being done to improve our city. Great leadership, not!
All those who have said crime is not a problem are running for the hills and don't want the egg in their face.
Citizens have had enough and crime has already boiled over. It's at an unnaceptable level, no matter how you slice the cake, and the city better get their act together soon!
Smith asked something of this lady that she did not ask of the man before her.
ReplyDeleteThe lady sounded a little annoyed, but she was not being "disrespectful to the chair." The chair, an elected official, was talking down to a citizen!
2:04, don't blame the whole council. Cohen and Campbell have always been respectful to the people. Not so the others.
How about some accountability, Mrs. Smith? That's what you campaigned on.
You are accountable for your rude and unprofessional behavior! Your lack of leadership and people skills!
I'm not surprised, given Smith's history. Ireton, however, I am shocked and disgusted. He has become "one of them."
Quit blaming the council for failure to terminate Webster. The action has to be initiated by the Mayor. How do we know if he has the 3 votes needed until he tries. It's another excuse to hide behind. The football coach analogy is a good one.
ReplyDeleteAs for last night, Smith and Comegys left after Smith closed the meeting (Shields was absent). Cohen and Campbell stayed along with others in the audience to listen to what the woman wanted to say. Ireton stayed until the police insisted that the woman leave the meeting room. Why couldn't the woman continue to speak in a public building after the meeting ended? Why was the Mayor treating this woman like Barrie Tilghman would have? When Louise left the building she had a big grin on her face. Disgusting.
Where was "Queenfish" last night?Can't she show her face at the meetings anymore?
ReplyDeleteAlso remember this woman is just one of may victims in this area. The chief & major need to be replaced to restore faith in the troops. Webster could have done a much better job, make him live in the neighborhood she lives in and see if things wouldn't change. Lets hope for us that Webster runs for sheriff of Somerset, sorry for Somerset though.
ReplyDeleteShanie couldn't show up last night, people might have asked questions about the 5 shooting victims or her misplayed race card on the Lake St property.
ReplyDeleteJim Ireton has turned out to be a worthless POS. I worked hard on his campaign to get him elected and now he won't even return my calls. I stopped by to see him one afternoon and he wouldn't even answer the door. Yes I know he was home as his truck was in the driveway and the storm door was locked from the inside. I even called and texted him to say I was out front and he hasn't responded yet. I will work just as hard to get him recalled if anyone wishes to initiate the petition.
ReplyDeleteYou cant make a comment like that hiding. Its not right, even if you are.
ReplyDeletea little birdie told me that a couple of lawsuits may be heading someones way very soon in the upper management staff of spd and they dont have a leg to stand on it's been reviewed by a group of very intelligent and eager individuals who don't play nice with the forth coming issues....................joe will be very happy with th eoutcome if it plays the way it looks to be played he will claim another victory in ousting
ReplyDeleteSame old, same old. glad i didn't vote for him .
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm asked for my address, I say, "L.I.U.".
ReplyDelete