That's what Salisbury City is, or at least what the Salisbury City Council is, namely Louise Smith, Queen of Hearts.
I left there feeling embarrassed having been a part of it.
Dirty even.
Gawd.
The effort tonight was a pretty good one. The purpose of course, was to speak out against the rising crime and the lack of leadership that has allowed this small city to be ranked number two most dangerous city in the nation, per capita. This is an issue any reasonable person can get behind.
About 10 city residents and tax payers spoke out during the public comments session, with an audience of about 50 or more in attendance. Applause ensued after many of the citizens' comments. Some people directly questioned Chief Webster's standing, as Cindy Pilchard did.
Ben Disharoon described bullets flying into his home that lodged themselves into the siding of his house on Smith Street, and one into his Beatles book. He described a neighbor who was shot and killed with great emotion and another who was brutally beaten. He called on the council to do something to fight back against the out of control crime in the city.
Others described how they had witnessed crimes, drug deals, and lack of police action. They said they feared to leave their homes and walk on their own streets.
However, the most stunning display of the evening was when Joe Albero took the podium. Joe made some comments about the crime rates and then went on to give his opinion about Police Chief Webster's lack of success with the local crime rates. Joe's speaking was abrubtly cut short by the pounding of council President Louise Smith's gavel! She said he needed to refrain from any personal comments about an elected official.
Say what?
Joe protested, saying it was his opinion and his First Amendment right to speak and Louise shut him up again with her gavel. Albero said fine and went on to describe the Fire Chief elects' lack of qualifications when Louise once again pounded her gavel and dismissed him. Jaws dropped all around me and there were snickers from a couple of council people.
Guess who did something as arrogant as that?
I'm sure I am not adequately describing this scene, but trust me, it was pure insanity and the second time in two months I've seen Louise Smith silence a tax payer, using her position to intimidate.
I can't wait for the PAC 14 video. You will see it was absolutely stunning and it will piss any citizen off anywhere to see this type of behavior from elected officials. It was worse than a Kangaroo court.
Picture the Queen of Hearts, from Alice in Wonderland; screaming "Off with their heads!" and you'll get a good visual.
And what did the mayor do? He just sat there on his hands doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and NOT SAYING A WORD. Is that leadership?
Before it was all over Donna Ennis got up and spoke about her frustration of the rising crime and the lack of action on the part of the city. She reminded the council that if they didn't do anything, that three of the five seats were up for re-election and the voters would do something.
If I took anything away from this at all, it was that Louise Smith must go.
More on this to be reported after I receive the PAC14 video. It's better than a reality show if you like that sort of thing...
Source
18 comments:
Thank you Joe for taking the time to try and speak some sense to this council of idiots. I am not a Salisbury resident but work here and my hope is that the voters make their opinions known on election day!
Yes, jaws dropped even in living rooms. Since when are our First Amendment rights HER right to dismiss? I thought Public Comments was when the public voices opinions. Has she changed these rules ALSO?
I saw the video last night. Louise is a bitch, and she has a vendetta against you. If it were anyone else, she would have let them finish.
That should be a weasel pup, not a piglet, in her claws!
In Princess Anne, taxpaayers are not allowed to speak UNLESS one they are also a resident. Are you a resident of Salisbury or a Salisbury taxpayer?
Was Ireton there? What about the Chiefy?
Mee again -
Looks like Jim Beau was present:
"And what did the mayor do? He just sat there on his hands doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING and NOT SAYING A WORD. Is that leadership?"
Put the video online asap for all to see! I'll make sure people see it by passing it on.
Louise, your a true bitch!
Did you notice she didn't do that to Lynn Cathcart when she attacked the Mayor a couple of meetings back? You might want to get the audio of that tape. Lynn was the last person to speak during public comments.
9:26-
And she lets Bubba and Shameless (the other two stooges on the City Council) say whatever they please, including personal attacks and snide remarks, although most of their remarks are buffoonish blather.
What was up with Don Cathcart? That attack was just about as thinly veiled as a spider's web.
Joe IS a taxpayer.
That's right. Louweasel let Cathcart get personal about the mayor, but wouldn't let Joe talk about something real like job performance or leadership!
As for asking Ireton to do anything, people get real. The mayor is a guest at the table and has no power at council meetings.
There is nothing to stop Louweasel Smith BUT THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!
9:17 Yes, Joe's a taxpayer! He owns a building right on Main St. That gives him every right to speak.
You're just salty because a woman put you in your place. You are used to ordering around women, like your ex, Jennifer, and your girlfriend Debbie Campbell. Get a life, loser!
you would think paul wilbur would have spoke up and told louise , joe does have the right to speak at a public setting , and you are breaking the law not letting joe finish his comments. Louise, if the facts are hard to take,retire or step down ......
I try to watch Pac 14 Sals. City meetings, sadly I missed last nights.
Even though I'm an 'outsider' the Salisbury politics are very interesting to say the least.
I have been closely watching Salisbury since the WWTP fiasco that they cannot seem to correct.
The whole council is a joke, and this is the second time in a short period that Smith has abused her power and silenced 'free speech' at the council meeting, with the first being so mad she adjourned and "left the building"
It looks more like a weekly bridge game more than a council meeting. As in if you don't worship the "old maid" she shuts you-up or storms off pouting.
Salisbury Citizens; Vote these loons out, not if but, when, Smith does this to the wrong person your city will be paying millions in civil liability to them... that's YOUR pocket not HERS so why should she care.
John, you're an ass. Did you even WATCH the video? I did, and it was obvious that Louise was out for Joe.
It sounds like it's the Queen's opinion of "don't say what I don't want to hear because I'll stop you from saying it"
Doesn't sound like America to me. Sounds more like a dictatorship.
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