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Monday, November 02, 2009

MEET SALISBURY’S BANANA REPUBLICAN – LOUISE SMITH


The Salisbury City Charter is very clear: “all legislative powers of the city shall be vested in a Council” and “the Mayor shall be the chief executive officer and the head of the administrative branch of the city government.” No executive power or administrative authority is conferred upon the City Council or its president. The only task of the president specified in the Charter is presiding at Council meetings.

Thus, you should have been surprised if not shocked by the recent report that the Council’s current president has not only signed a contract for the City of Salisbury – that falsely represents that it was approved by the Council – but also certain “change orders” to that contract, which pertains to “the Bricks” building. If Ms. Smith has done any of those acts, there are some significant questions and possible problems.

Just how and when did Ms. Smith become authorized to function as part of “the administrative branch of the city government” that operates under the aegis of the city’s “chief executive officer,” Mayor Ireton? Has the Charter been changed, or did he delegate some special role or position for Ms. Smith in his administration? This is a pertinent question regardless of whether Council approval (as a body) is needed for the contract or change orders mentioned above.

And if Mr. Ireton was unaware of the alleged actions taken by Ms. Smith when they occurred, which of his underlings is or are complicit in this episode – and what is he doing to make sure that there is no recurrence of conduct befitting a banana republic?

Then there’s the issue of whether the contract and change orders have been duly issued by the city, and whether they are enforceable against it.

The administrative irregularity issues discussed above may be just the tip of the iceberg. Despite Mr. Wilber’s legal opinion exonerating Ms. Smith (are you surprised?), there are specific prohibitions, not to mention ethical standards, that may have been violated, with possible criminal sanctions. The next time Louise comes to the Government Office Building, someone should point out the Courthouse to her.

This scenario seems somewhat similar to the episode in which a former president of the Wicomico County Council took it upon himself to apply on behalf of the County for a state funded horse facility.

Yes, we have some bananas in the “Peoples’ Republic of Salisbury.”

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Will Dr. Doorag be out there stumping for his republican club member again next election?

Anonymous said...

There's lots more to the "bricks" iceberg. This is just the tip.

Anonymous said...

Ireton should clean house in the Mayor's office -- starting with Lore Chambers. John Pick, who knows where things stand in Salisbury, is probably looking for another position in Iowa or elsewhere outside of MD (wonder why?) so maybe that situation will resolve itself. This needs to be job number 1 -- get rid of Webster later, if he isn't gone by then.

Anonymous said...

It's not a valid or legal contract.

Anonymous said...

Davis Ruark:

Where are you??

Anonymous said...

Joe:

Please identify the "appraiser" that valued "the Bricks" at $227,000. I need to borrow $100,000 on my mobile home.

Anonymous said...

Mr./Ms. 10:03:

Both Big John and RINO Ron Alessi will be working for the Weasel, just like in 2007.

Anonymous said...

10:30 --

Don't forget the "Canal Wood Crazies" who worked for Louweasel in 2007.

Anonymous said...

The State of Maryland needs to investigate this idiot. (smith)
seems very similar to the worcester county incident.

Anonymous said...

who is the contractor ? maybe a ethics violation???

Anonymous said...

Smith continues to do as she pleases. Nothing was ever done about her shutting down the council meeting when someone didn't announce her address. I'm sure the list grows longer each day.

Anonymous said...

10:30 annon.

That's a dynamic duo --- Big John & RINO Ron --- and why I'm an independent.

Anonymous said...

Ireton = town clown

And his staff knows.

Anonymous said...

Shes violated the citys charter.Davis Ruark needs to look into this.What the chit is the mayor gonna do.How much did the city pay Wlbur for his opinon on this one.I am glad i dont live in the city.MS Smith is supposed to be educated. She and the other 2 are really screwing the taxpsers of Salisbury.Renters dont pay taxs.

Anonymous said...

Louweasel can tell that Jim-Beau has no stones so she can do whatever Barrie wants.

Anonymous said...

That nickname ("Louweasel") fits her like a glove.

Anonymous said...

Darn good post, Joe! Somebody told me to go look on Cohen and Campbell's website.

They had that letter in the Daily Rag and a post up yesterday about this. Now they've got another post up today.

You go, ladies!

Anonymous said...

It's not her fault , she's just an old hag that is losing her memory
and her education level is that of a brick. She needs professional help , but as you know , can't get professional help for her in Salisbury. She would be a wonderful person , if she had her lips sewed together. I've never met a more stupid individual in my 66 years.

Anonymous said...

Louise is a hack--zero credibility.

Anonymous said...

Don't go on Paul Wiber's approval. You and every citizen of the State of Maryland have the right for this to be reviewed and appealed by the Attorney General of the State of Maryland. The City of Salisbury has been known for crooked politics ever since Paul Martin and Norman Conway have left the Mayor and Council spots. If Carolyn Hall had been able to gotten the Mayor's position instead of Tilghman,but since that didn't happen, the City has gotten into a bunch of bad represenation.

Anonymous said...

4:08 --

You are right, but the voters "asked for it" by reelecting the likes of Barrie Tilghman, Bubba Comegys and Shanie Shields.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jim-beau:

Your silence on this power play by Louweasel is deafening.

Anonymous said...

4:08 p.m., you got that right! How many times have Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen pointed something out that Wilber missed or got wrong? Lots and lots!

Now Louise Smith thinks she can do anything she wants. What a joke! She can't even run a meeting right or keep straight what vote they are on.

Anonymous said...

Lore Chambers is up to the armpits of her designer outfit in this scam!

Anonymous said...

What I want to know is, what do we do about this? (Please, no silly recall suggestions.)

Are there any lawyers out there reading this? Who enforces the charter or whatever it's called?

We can name call till the cows come home, but what is something that can be done?

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

"Despite Mr. Wilber’s legal opinion exonerating Ms. Smith (are you surprised?)"

One thing people fail to realize is that Paul Wilber's opinion is just that, an opinion. It is not the law and he will say what ever he is paid to say and what ever you pay to hear.

Jim Ireton do the damned job we hired you to do. Clean house before we recall you and the entire council.

Anonymous said...

How does this just go on and on and on?

The Lawless Government of Salisbury.

Sorry, but I'm not going after the entire council. Campbell and Cohen have been true to the good they campaigned on. They've fought against the odds.

First Smith. Now Ireton. We were so lied to.

Anonymous said...

I'm beginning to think Bubba would have made a better Mare than Jimmie Gurl!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jim Ireton thanks for reading Sbynews.com.

I am the person that took their family members door to door to campaign for you. I am the person that got many friends and family members to put your election signs in their yards regardless of political party. I am the person that wrote checks for your campaign. I am that person that got friends and family members to contribute to your campaign. I am that person that encouraged numerous good people to vote for you over Bob Caldwell. I am the person that took off work on 2 different days to support you and wave signs for you. I am the person that went to many of your fundraisers. Do you remember me? Of course not! That is obvious by how many times you have slapped me and my friends in the face and turned your back on me when I/we needed you the most.

All I have to say to you is I will be the same person to work my ass off against you in your bid for re-election. If I was a gambling person I would bet a wager that you would never get elected to office again.

Another thing. Bob Caldwell I am so sorry!