Last night Jim Ireton became extremely upset by public comment remarks made by local landlords. The general tenor of their commentary was that Ireton has ignored attempts by SAPOA and landlords that began when he was elected as mayor last year to have a dialogue with him to address and resolve issues regarding rental properties.
Stu Leer, outraged because Ireton recently designated one of his firm’s rental homes as Salisbury’s “slum property of the week,” discussed his efforts during Ireton’s tenure as mayor to establish a working relationship with the City. He stated that he is still waiting for some meaningful response to his messages and that his offer of free space for a police substation is being withdrawn.
Later, the president of SAPOA discussed her effort to establish a working relationship with Ireton, again without response by him. At this point Ireton rudely interrupted her, suggesting that he was being wrongly portrayed and continuing to complain until Louise Smith silenced him so that the speaker could continue.
This is the second outburst by Ireton at a Council meeting or work session in recent weeks, and we understand there are earlier episodes. Hopefully, all of them are due to his watching Barrie Tilghman in action during her tenure as mayor. But if that’s not the case then medication or counseling may be needed.
73 comments:
how bored is John Pick? I'll bet Ireton's girlish screaming woke him up fast!
Joe -
I usually agree with you, but not on this one. Smith should have taken control of the meeting when the personal attacks started. Do you really believe all that Leer and Adams said? Just because they say it doesn't mean it's true. After Adams' behavior during the campaign she doesn't have much credibility with me. Leer isn't credible. One of them stated that SAPOA had been vilainized last night. Funny, I didn't hear the word SAPOA mentioned until they said it. Leer talked about Campbell saying that the budget was "hunkey dorey" on Reddish. Not only did I hear the interview and what Leer said was untrue, but has anyone ever heard Campbell say "hunkey dorey?" Come on, they are trying to protect their model of artificially inflating rates and scaring tenants, not to mention pitting rentters against the city. The notion of Leer's remarks that if a rental property was going to be inspected that the tenants had the right to inspect the homes of city staff and elected officials is absurd. The inspections are not to score someone's decorating or housekeeping they are to make sure that the city's delapidated rental housing stock is code compliant fo the safety of the tenants.
Jim-beau:
Got prozac?
THIS is the best reality show on TV now.
What beverage is in the white pitcher next to Ireton in the 1st pic?
It's astounding how he has come to resemble Barrie in just one year as mayor. When does he revive the "dirty dozen"?
If Ireton even meets with someone speaking for SAPOA he will forever forfeit his core support. It's called being on the horns of a dilemna, in this case one that he created as a candidate.
9:57-
That was fair commentary by Mr. Leer, not a personal attack. Ireton should have been asked to leave when he kept trying to interrupt the other landlord when she had the floor, just like would have happened if someone in the audience had done so.
That tenant who spoke at the end said it all -- Ireton is wrong!
Code and compliant should inspect rental housing when it is NOT occupied. Several years ago it was decided that rental houses would be inspected...what happened to that?
10:03-
Forget the prozac, this is a case for valium!
10:10
He reminds me much more of Mikey Dunn than Barrie Tilghman.
Stop being silly commenters. Get serious about something in life.
This entire business of Code Enforcement is excessive government pure and simple. It is utterly unfair. Government has no business involved in matters of property rental. If you have a beef with your landlord, then seek justice in the Court System. Until someone makes an accusation, the government at large should stay out of our lives!
As for Ireton, it is simple. He cannot handle the pressure of a rigged government system in a town of this size. The Freemasonic stranglehold on this city is quite powerful. He has no chance.
It apprears to me that Leer stated facts, the inaction of Ireton is fact. Jim, you can't complain on 1 side of the subject then ignore the ones your complaining about when they come to help with the stated issue. Looks like Grandstanding to me, IMHO
this may work with school politics, but the the real world we live in.
Excessive code enforcement is an issue. I live in a house with 2 friends of mine,one of whom is the homeowner, and will be soon forced to move out because of the foolish actions of The City. I will then proceed to become a homeless person creating yet another drain on the local economy. Maybe I will at least be able to get some foodstamps. Thanks Salisbury!
TT
11:05-
When I was in school, if someone behaved like Ireton did last night, he or she would be sent to the office for corrective action, which in my day ibvolved physical contact with the derriere.
Jimmy:
What did anyone say that is not true about you?
Debbie Campbell can speak for herself if she pleases.
Mr. Ireton, please stop your whininh and grandstanding. We don't need another Obama hereabouts.
Working relationship? Clean up the slums!!! Slumlords
Thats what we all get for electing a school teacher to run the city!
TT, why is the homeowner being forced out as you say? Maybe it's your slum/landlord you should thank and not the city. As for being homeless and food stamps, maybe you should go to work instead of relying on the rest of us to prop you up.
I can understand Ireton's frustration. The landlords have this city wrapped around their fingers, and all their posturing is just politics to make it easier to do business and keep everyone else off guard.
Psssst, Jim:
Blame it on Bubba!
Ireton should resume teaching full time ASAP.
until I see it on video it didn't happen
Jim is a great guy and I will vote for him again and again until they won't let me vote anymore!
Mr Pick you make $90K right, wake the hell up and at least act like you give a crap.
I cannot believe this blog is starting to side with the landlords. If you had any idea what SAPOA was really about and what they tried to do to Ireton in the election, you might understand his anger towards them. They lied, plain and simple. They threw thousands of dollars into Bubba's campaign chest, and he still lost. They are trying to claim the high road now, and act like victims. You really think Stu Leer, TJ Maloney, and Richard Insley are victims? Really? They are just angry because they have been running this town for years and they finally have a mayor who is calling them on their crap.
1:46-
Hey kool-aid drinker, your boy is out of his league (3rd grade).
Joe, can't you see what is really going on here? SAPOA didn't get their man elected. They declared war on Ireton before he was elected. They were part of the disgusting smear you denounced. Now they're putting lipstick on their pig with a big PR war. Are you really falling for it?
Salisbury has seen this with SAPOA over and over again. Love Ireton or hate Ireton, SAPOA is still the same.
How's that crime and blight working for ya?
2:07-
How is fair criticism of Ireton in any way "siding with the landlords."
If he is going to behave like he did last night, he deserves to be hung out to dry.
And why does he not respond to them?
anonymous 2:13,
At least I'm man enough to sign my name, for starters.
Secondly, agree or disagree, I have stood there in two most recent meetings where SAPOA has repeatedly asked for a meeting, all the while offering those precious sub stations Ireton so desperately wanted and claimed would come about as a campaign promise.
I personally spoke with the Mayor after the meeting and suggested he get someone to "mediate" between both parties to resolve their differences, as this is what a PROFESSIONAL would do.
It does NOT mean both sides have to come to terms and agree. It's a HEALTHY start and SAPOA would be more than willing to do so.
These old arguements that have been going on for many years needs to STOP!
Like the landlords or not, they're NOT going away. I see one side making offers and proposals and another side not even coming close to budging. I also see Code & Compliance growing, (to create more violations) and to me it's a childish playground fight.
You wanted my opinion, you got it. Ireton needs to GROW UP and start acting like a MAYOR.
2:13:
Landlords provide the place of residence for at least half of the City's residents, so they and their special interest group (SAPOA) have clout and Ireton should not ignore them.
Joe:
All due respect, but having to retain a mediator to engage with Ireton is not appropriate. If he can't take the heat he should get out of the kitchen. He really does need professional help .
anonymous 2:25,
This battle didn't start yesterday and quite frankly it is nowhere near all Jim's fault. So please don't take my earlier comment in such a way.
BOTH parties have issues and quite frankly they need someone to step in and resolve their issues.
I see one side making offers and the other side disrespectfully not budging one single bit. This is NOT how you run a business OTHER people own!
Didn't they try some kind of mediation under Barrie and it was a complete waste of time?
anonymous 2:28, Jim Ireton is NOT Barrie Tilghman.
Joe:
Just like Obama (his hero), Ireton got elected because of a very unpopular predecessor who tarred his main opponent; unfortunately Bob Caldwell got off to a slippery start and never recovered in the primary.
Fact is that Ireton is in way over his head and a "mediator" is not an appropriate measure. If he can't handle the position, he should resign, just like he did after being elected to the City Council in 1998.
"Jim Ireton is NOT Barrie Tilghman"
But he is just as bad!
ANONYMOUS 2:36, Now come on. Ireton isn't going to step down, just as Comegys isn't going to. Mediation IS the only answer.
"Ireton needs to GROW UP and start acting like a MAYOR"
That isn't going to happen. He is an adult and has been in office for a year as mayor and longer than that on the City Council before he quit.
Maybe he needs a shrink rather than a mediator.
Jin Ireton is NOT Gary Comegys"
And Ireton did resign once before, from the City Council.
Mediation will not help to cure his problems.
Joe:
How is a mediator going to keep Ireton from foaming at the mouth when someone criticizes him, like he did last night?
SAPOA is saying one thing in public, doing something entirely different behind the scenes. Don't fall for it! They are not victims and they have done everything they can to manipulate Salisbury politics. When they lost the last election (and make no mistake, they paid a lot of money) they instantly began working to undermine Ireton. Is he perfect? Heck no. But he has the guts to stand up to these people and they hate him for it.
Mr. Joe,
I am a renter, plesae don't be mad I don't sign my name. My landlord would kick me out. I can't afford that. My hours got cut so I'm home looking for more work.
I don't what to think about the argument between the mayor and the landlords but I hope and wish my place gets inspected. There are lots of things wrong with it. My landlord don't fix them. If I call somebody he will throw me out.
They talk all nice nice but they ain't done much over a long time. Where I live is not so nice and there are lots of scary renters near me. If I had more money I could rent some place not scary.
I read your blog sometimes. Thank you for leeting me speak. I hope my landlord does not read this and figure out who I am or I will really be in trouble.
Joe:
How about asking Bob Caldwell to try to get Jim Ireton and SAPOA on speaking terms -- more like a facilitator than a mediator.
In private, of course, unless they prefer otherwise.
Just clean up the damn crummy properties and be done with it.
The landlords need to shape up or get out. Salisbury is full of these fallen down crap houses or should I say crack houses. Quit the bitchin and get busy.
3:18
spoken like a non-property owning American. I relate, boy do I relate.
This ain't about ireton , the landlords don't want to spend money.
anonymous 4:07, Get a grip. It's ALL about Ireton and getting his own way. I happen to disagree with him on this issue and if he wants to prove I'm wrong, get a mediator and show you're at least willing to try. Power seems to have gotten to his head.
The truth of the matter is that the landlords want to put as little money in the property as they can get away with and to make as much money as possible on the property. Their bottom line is profit; whereas, Ireton's is to make the city safe.
Joe,
I respectfully disagree--you should see some of the properties these guys own. There are parts of Salisbury where people have no running water for weeks, have holes in the roof, dangerous wiring, lead paint everywhere, etc, etc. Not all ladlords are like this, of course, but it is really unbelievable the conditions many people are living in. Let's add in the landlords who routinely take people's safety deposits for things they legally cannot (for example, routine painting). There is a huge, vulnerable population in this city that do not know their legal eights when renting, and SAPOA does not want them to know. Should Jim blow up? No. But let's not lose sight of the people who are doing the exploiting around here. As the old saying goes, follow the money. The mayor makes $25,000. Nothing these days, especially given the time demands. What do you think these SAPOA people make? Who has greater motivation to do the wrong thing?
Gosh, I was just beginning to miss those moments when Barrie would interrupt and bash her enemies at the Council meetings. It's just like it used to be, except no "headlights".
4:22-
The landlords like Mr. Leer want to work with the City to that end, but Ireton refuses to respond because he has made a career by depicting them as the "enemy". He can't have it otherwise, which would alienate his cor political support.
Typical liberal!
The heat is now on and the man cant deal with the problems that Salisbury has. Expect him to throw up his hands and quit any time now. Every department is screwed up and theres no help in sight. What a mess/
5:49 --
Best possible scenario: Ireton goes back to full time teaching this fall and Bob Caldwell is appointed mayor for the rest of the term.
That goes double for the USA...
This is a surprise? Ireton is useless and never makes any desisions or stands behind what he says. If he teach's like he runs this city I will send my kids to private school.
Oh and by the way Pick is more effective asleep.
Yes you are right joe , power does go to your head , you arn't always right , we will see wednesday night.
Ireton's core political supporters are dwindling. Come next election he'll be lucky to have little more than his campaign staff if he keeps going the way he is going.
I watched the whole thing on TV last night. I got a different impression. Ireton sat through all the white-haired guy had to say. When the lady landlord got up and started smart-mouthing about wearing a villain costume. Not sure why she was saying that because nobody said anything about SAPOA and the landlord discussion was pretty tame.
I could hear Ireton was saying something to Smith about not letting it go on.
I think what got Ireton was mad was Smith not doing the gavel like she did to that poor lady attacked in her home. Remember that? The lady barely said anything and Smith gave her the gavel, a police escort and ended the meeting.
Ireton shouldn't have lost his cool but Smith should have done the right thing. I'm not surprised because Smith lets that Shields woman go on and on with her nastiness but gavels Campbell for asking for a point of order.
Ireton speaks out , he is human like anyone , I'm glad he lost his temper. Those SOB landlords think they own Salisbury. This is the first time I think Ireton impressed me. Joe , get a life!
Joe, I agree with you, the power has gone to Ireton's head. He truly disregards the fact that landlords are tax payers and being that the largest percentage of people in the city are renters, he really needs to give respect to the people of the city. There are some places in the city of Salisbury that you simply cant spend a ton of money on rentals to make them 200,000 dollar homes. The tenants and the people in the surrounding area destroy the property and disregard the cost and hardwork that goes into it. Not every part of town will look like upscale neighborhoods. Its do to the mentality of the people that reside there, and the economic level. Sorry you cant take a 200,000 dollar home with a mortgage and rent it out for 500 dollars a month to meet these peoples income level and sorry but most do not respect the property anyways. I love how they play the game im scared of my landlord, lmao they arent scared they know the system better than you or i do. Before someone says landlords dont want to spend their money... who does? second its always easier to talk about someone else paying for something, until you are actually the one paying out constantly for the ignorance of others.
Anonymous said...
The heat is now on and the man cant deal with the problems that Salisbury has. Expect him to throw up his hands and quit any time now. Every department is screwed up and theres no help in sight. What a mess/
5:49 PM
Yes the departments are really messed up. Look what Ireton has allowed Hoppes and Bragg to do to the entire career division of the Salisbury Fire Department.
Fire Department Departmental
MEMO
City of Salisbury
To: All Department Personnel Date: May 26, 2010
From: J. Dru Bragg, Acting Deputy Chief
Subject: Personnel Reassignments
The following personnel have been re-assigned to the following position:
From To Last Day Reports
Captain Michael Davis S1 S16 C 04 June 2010 07 June 2010
Acting Captain Lorenzo Cropper Admin. S16 D 04 June 2010 08 June 2010
Lieutenant Michael Donaway S16 D Admin. Training 04 June 2010 07 June 2010
Lieutenant David Insley S16 C Admin. EMS 03 June 2010 07 June 2010
Acting Lieutenant William Frampton Admin. S16 C 04 June 2010 07 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Shirley Reddish S16 D S16 A 31 May 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Robert Quillen S16 D S16 B 04 June 2010 06 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Melissa Brown S16 D S16 C 04 June 2010 07 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Christopher Truitt S16 C S16 D 03 June 2010 08 June 2010
FF/EMT-B Jeffrey Jewell S16 C S16 B 03 June 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-B Jonathan Gray S16 B S16 C 02 June 2010 07 June 2010
FF/EMT-B David Haines S16 A S16 D 01 June 2010 08 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Kara Rhode S16 B S16 C 02 June 2010 07 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Anthony Webster Admin. S16 D 04 June 2010 08 June 2010
FF/EMT-I David Twilley S16 C S16 A 03 June 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-B William Rathel S16 D S16 B 04 June 2010 06 June 2010 FF/EMT-B Donald Phippin S16 B S16 D 02 June 2010 08 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Nicholas Kinhart S16 C S16 A 03 June 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Michael Carbaubh S16 D S16 B 04 June 2010 06 June 2010
FF/EMT-B Aaron Colegrove S16 C S16 A 03 June 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Christopher Barrs S16 B S16 A 02 June 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Ginger Phippin S16 A S16 B 01 June 2010 06 June 2010
FF/EMT-P David Brimer S16 A S16 C 01 June 2010 07 June 2010
FF/EMT-P John Dennis S16 A S16 D 01 June 2010 08 June 2010
FF/EMT-B Corey Mitchell S16 D S16 A 31 May 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-I Patrick Herrman S16 B S16 C 02 June 2010 07 June 2010
From To Last Day Reports
FF/EMT-B Zackary Keenan S16 A S16 D 01 June 2010 08 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Heidi Etherton A16 B S16 A 02 June 2010 05 June 2010
FF/EMT-B Brandon Records S2 S16 B 04 June 2010 06 June 2010
FF/EMT-B David Cox FTO S16 C 02 June 2010 07 June 2010
FF/EMT-P Jill Walbert S16 C S16 D 03 June 2010 08 June 2010
This change will remain in effect until further notice.
Thank you for your continued support and as always should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the office.
cc: Richard A. Hoppes, Acting Chief of the Department
William E. Gordy, Deputy Chief of Volunteer Services
File
7:32-
I also watched and saw things differently. Ireton lost it because he was being criticized in public, but appropriately. His conduct was inexcusable.
If he can't control himself then he needs to get help or step down.
9:06 Could you please explain? Does this information represent promotions, furloughs, assignments to a different station?
Smith and her supporters are baiting Ireton. Last night appeared orchestrated between Leer and Smith. If you listen, the both had prepared remarks and there was an odd bit of overlap. If history is repeating, Louise already knew what he was going to say and was all ready to let him go on. The public should have a voice and should be able to speak. She would have told others not to get personal, etc. Even though she would have gaveled such attacks against herself and her allies(something that isn't right either) as long as the topic is policy. Ireton should step back for a moment and remember next time not to take the bait.
Jim's the man.
If Dru isn't in his office check his corner at the Greene Turtle
Same old, same old. You asked for him, you got him.
What's Wednesday night? Somebody said we'll see Wednesday night? See what?
Ireton has turned out to be a real disappointment, but I emplore him to not back down against these tyrant slumlords.
What a jackalope
I'm a landlord and feel I treat my tenants with respect and compassion and keep my properties in excellent condition. I haven't raised rents in 2 years and some properties I've never raised the rent because the tenant treats the property as their own. On the other hand I've had tenants trash my property, move out in the middle of the night owing me thousands of dollars. Don't judge a landlord's income until you've been one yourself. It's not as lucrative as you may think. My problem with Ireton is he is calling ALL landlords slumlords, a wise person does not stereotype.
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