When Jim Ireton was running to be Salisbury’s mayor there was no question that crime was a TOP concern of voters. Things don’t seem to have gotten much better since his election. At Tuesday’s meeting of the Salisbury Crime Taskforce Ireton provided some hint as to his solution for the crime problems – GRANTS.
While Jim’s FRIENDS – Frank Kratovil, Barbara Mikulski, Ben Cardin, and Barack Obama – may be doling out taxpayer dollars by the bucket full, at some point in time Ireton is going to have to DO SOMETHING about fixing the problems facing Salisbury. That means Ireton needs to understand that crime is one of, if not THE BIGGEST problem facing his once fair city.
At Tuesday’s meeting a member of the taskforce asked Ireton what was the status of a grant Salisbury applied for to replicate a highly successful crime initiative in Annapolis. Ireton’s reply was a song an dance about how “competitive” the application process was and how applicants were being “scored”.
“What will we do if we don’t receive the grant?”, asked the member.
Ireton’s response? “Well, I guess we’ll just have to apply for another grant.”
WRONG ANSWER! If this program is worth going through the hassle of applying for the grant, and it is truly effective AND if it will only cost approximately $150,000 to implement, then I’m quite sure that Ireton can find budget cuts to fund such a program. In fact, this is basically what councilwoman Terry Cohen told Ireton.
There are two problems in this scenario. The first is that Ireton just doesn’t get it. His record to date seems to be one of “Let’s spend the taxpayers’ money”, but he’s certainly not very big on getting results. The other problem is that Ireton lacks the courage to put someone in charge of the police department who will get results.
“Jim’s Friends” could lavish millions of dollars on Salisbury, but would the taxpayers actually see results as long as Allan Webster remains in charge of SPD? Given Webster’s overall record and his seeming desire to spend more time attacking elected officials than fighting crime, I seriously doubt it.
Ireton needs to wake up and smell the coffee. The citizens who put him in office will just as quickly throw him out without concrete RESULTS!. Salisbury voters aren’t interested in press conferences and ribbon cuttings. While cleaning up the river may be an important issue to many, it is strictly second tier when a majority of city residents can hear gunfire at night.
Jim Ireton defeated Gary Comegys in last spring’s mayoral election because he wasn’t Barrie Tilghman. Unfortunately, that’s precisely what the citizens currently have – Barrie Tilghman in a coat and tie. The people running the city are the same, and Jim Ireton is only there half a day to supervise them. Of course, Ireton doesn’t appear to have the backbone to tell them what to do anyway.
Start with doing something concrete about the crime problem Jim. Voters don’t care about grants. They care about results. Don’t come asking for a tax increase next spring without something to show for your efforts.
from Delmarva Dealings
21 comments:
I beg to differ with this statement:
"Unfortunately, that’s precisely what the citizens currently have – Barrie Tilghman in a coat and tie."
Jim Ireton has NONE of the skills that Barrie brought to the office.
Yes, she was corrupt, but she knew how to get things done when she wanted them done, and she knew how to bury things that she didn't want the public to know. (until Joe came along, that is)
Jim is more like Louise than he is like Barrie.
Hey Ireton, SPD has received grant money for years and the crime problem has worsened. How do you explain that? More importantly, where is the money going? It sure isn't for fighting crime. SPD has been scamming the public for years. Here's an idea - get a leader who is actually concerned about lowering crime and increasing public safety rather than boast about receving grant money; the majority of which is based upon high crime statistics. Yes Mayor, you sure have a plan and something to brag about.
Anon 1001 -
Unfortunately, you are probably right. I stand corrected.
The whole situation dismays me greatly. I'm quite fond of Jim, but he should have accomplished something since he was sworn in.
I worried that his first great initiative will be for a tax increase.
this town is a travesty... and Jim is doing nothing to fix it. Webster must have something on him (Jim ) or something to have Jim cower to him and not fire him immediately
You people who live in the City get what you voted for!! I don't pitty you one bit. Life in the County is good by the way.
I tell you what.
If another tax increase/surcharge gets shoved on the city residents who were suckered into buying into the city limits in the first place occurs---I will sell my house at a loss and move the hell outta here. Keep on sh*ting on the people-you will see.
And take that damn fireboat and stick it where the sun don't shine.
I tell you what.
If another tax increase/surcharge gets shoved on the city residents who were suckered into buying into the city limits in the first place occurs---I will sell my house at a loss and move the hell outta here. Keep on sh*ting on the people-you will see.
And take that damn fireboat and stick it where the sun don't shine.
Help is on the way!!
Jim has no power to fire the police chief, given the current make up of the city council. We're stuck with Webster until Bubba or Louweasal gets replaced. If you want to blame someone, blame the fools that re-elected Shanie. Unfortunately, there will be no progress on the crime problem until Webster is gone.
Ireton and his 'friends' are what Mr. Ireton is really all about. He has higher aspirations than mayor. He'll begin to clean up the river, get a couple of grants he can attach his name to, and network, network, network. All that horse**** about Loving Salisbury ( he quit it in a heartbeat not so long ago), attacking crime ( Webster is a large part of the problem ) was just what the voters wanted to hear. He fooled me at the election, and I will not be fooled again.
It is clear to me that Louise and Gary have taken control of the administration and Jim has stood there and let them. At the meting on Monday it was clear that the Mayor had asked for an agenda item to be removed. Why was it still there? Louise & Gary siad so. Jim, do they run the city or do you? Please veto Harbor Pointe and send a message that you were elected to run the administrative branch of the government.
Same ol, same ol, coddle the newly developed high rent districts, and let the older neighborhoods go the way of slumlords and blight! Must agree with 2:07 veto Harbor Pointe, until the City cleans up the crime. Send this message loud and clear to the City Council. Time for change(s)!
While you are vetoing Harbor Pointe, veto that damned fire boat that is going to cost us thousands a year to maintain.
what's the veto about harbor pointe about?
Sorry, I must be in the dark on this one. Thnax
Maybe Jim doesn't realize that Louise and Gary have more influence over his staff than he does. That's how it looks from here anyway. How else do you explain Harbor Pointe even getting on the agenda. It also looks like the city staff is pushing the Tilgmhman agenda as if she's still there. Jim, some vetoes, please. It appears that the two level heads that you have on the council would support vetoes of items like the fire boat and Harbor Pointe, how about the Bricks while you're at it. Are you really going to let Gary and Louise define your Mayorship? I still believe thta you're going to do something to help us like you promised. Help is on the way, no, it's here. You have the authority. I think that you also have the backbone.
Why do you people that keep electing Democrats expect to get different results???
Define insanity for me please.
When what you see and belive to be is not, or is it...
Being able to hold a serious three way conversation with YOURSELF, your getting there.
When your so much faster than the average person, that they think YOUR nuts.
When you avoid people and think your doing it for them, are you?
The commander of the Baltimore Police Department's Southeastern District, suspended last month as internal investigators examined his office computer, has been demoted and will return to patrol, police said.
Maj. Rogert Bergeron, an 18-year veteran who oversaw the district for nearly three years, accepted a demotion to the rank of lieutenant and will return to a yet-to-be-determined patrol district effective Sunday, according to Anthony Guglielmi, the department's chief spokesman.
Guglielmi could not immediately confirm the reason for Bergeron's suspension and demotion, but said Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III's main concern was a crime spike in Southeast Baltimore.
Bergeron and his deputy major, William Davis, had been under scrutiny by department leadership in recent months as their district, which includes Little Italy, Canton and Fells Point, as well as high-crime neighborhoods such as McElderry Park, saw a sizable increase in homicides and shootings, with 21 killings compared with eight at this time last year.
Bergeron was suspended Sept. 30 with pay and stripped of his badge and gun. Sources told The Baltimore Sun that commanders were concerned that Bergeron, who recently started a side business as a life coach, did not spend enough time on the streets.
"What the city wants from all of us is leadership," Bealefeld said on a radio appearance last week. "I expect them to be out in the field and leading their folks. That's what all of you expect of me, and that's what I expect of them."
But Bergeron also gave out his cell phone number to residents and appeared frequently at community meetings and events, including one recent block party where his band performed. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Guglielmi said Bealefeld had not picked a replacement commander for the Southeastern district, which Davis has been leading on an interim basis.
Copyright © 2009, The Baltimore Sun
Here is what a REAL leader does when there is major crime and the person in charge does not solve it or address it. Hey Ireton...take note and get rid of Webster
I'm still wondering what happened to the man who was planning big change... If you would have done what you said you were going to do the first week in office, the people of Salisbury would have your back. Instead he decided to let them tell him what to do...real shame! how much longer do we have to put up with this crap????
GA --
This is your best post in months. Please keep your spotlight on our Gentleman Jimmy.
Old "same old, same old" stole the "change" mantra from some higher authority. Copy cats them all...
no one with an original or refreshing thought. Just spend, tax, copycat! I didn't vote for him & really hate being "saddled".
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