SALISBURY COUNCIL “MAJORITY OF TWO” NIXES IRETON’S APPOINTEE TO HOUSING BOARD TO REPLACE RICHARD INSLEY

Ms. Sharon Lloyd, whom Jim Ireton asked the City Council to confirm for appointment to Salisbury’s Housing Board of Adjustment and Appeals, was deemed unacceptable for that position by members Louise Smith and Shanie Shields at the Council’s work session on June 24. Gary Comegys was not present, and his view on the appointment is apparently unknown. Debbie Campbell, who also was absent, and Terry Cohen support Ms. Lloyd’s appointment. Unless Comegys attends a regular meeting of the Council and supports the appointment, Smith and Shields can block its confirmation by the Council.

The discussion lasted nearly an hour, during which there were several pointed exchanges, especially between Ms. Smith and the Mayor – Smith admonished him that it was a Council meeting – and between Ms. Cohen and Ms. Shields. When it became clear that the situation was not going to change, Ireton left the meeting obviously disappointed and disgusted by the majority of two.

Smith based her objection upon remarks that Ms. Lloyd made at a City Council meeting in 2008 in which she suggested possible corruption by certain members of the Council; Smith believes that the suggestion was directed at her among others. In her remarks, Ms. Lloyd was addressing the routine 3-2 voting by the Council and said that it appeared to her that the majority decided in advance of the meetings to vote together, which suggested possible corruption (words to that effect).

Shields feels that Ms. Lloyd would not be impartial because she is a realtor, even though the code calls for a realtor to be a member of the housing board. Shields has previously supported Mr. Insley’s appointment to the Housing Board despite the fact that he is a landlord and former officer of SAPOA.

Ireton has apparently decided to withdraw the appointment and submit another appointee to fill the seat currently held by Richard Insley, whose term has expired. The City’s attorney, Paul Wilber, has advised that Insley will remain a member of the Board until his successor has been appointed by Ireton and confirmed by the Council.

Earlier, Ireton had informed Insley, who has served more than 12 years on the Housing Board, that he would not be reappointed. In recent months the mayor has made remarks that disparage Insley’s actions as a member (and chair) of the Board.

This is a real opportunity for Gary Comegys to effect serious collaboration between Mayor Ireton and a new majority on the Council. We have no idea why Mr. Comegys was not present, other than his health issues, unless he is devoting his time to campaigning to be elected next week as the next president of the Maryland Municipal League. In any event it may be a missed opportunity.