Monday night Salisbury citizens had an opportunity to see one of the saddest displays on record. Salisbury councilwomen Louise Smith and Shanie Shields proved to be living arguments for a drastic restriction of the franchise. Not only are these two women unfit to hold public office, they are unfit to vote for others!
Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton has proposed a comprehensive crime package. I have not read the entire piece of proposed legislation but there are already several areas where I disagree with my friend the Mayor. That said, the package deserves a public hearing. Smith and Shields refuse to allow such a hearing. If that weren’t bad enough, there reasoning (if one can call it that) is embarrassing (to put it kindly).
Smith demands public input “from all stakeholders”. On this, she is correct. One of Ireton’s greatest mistakes as mayor, and there have been quite a few, has been his refusal to meet with representatives of the SAPOA (the slumlords’ guild). However, this isn’t about that. Even if Ireton had done this Smith would not want to bring it forward. I’m not aware of Smith demanding that “stakeholders” be given a seat at the table for any legislation. The only stakeholder she seems to be concerned about is SAPOA.
Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen are hosting a public forum on the issue on September 15th. There will be an opportunity for SAPOA to have its say then. Smith also wants a “Task Force”. That is simply another delaying tactic. Smith’s true intentions are proven by her refusal to allow the September 15th forum to be televised on PAC-14. Hopefully there will be someone there to record for later broadcast on PAC-14. I can only guess what Louise’s rants will sound like then.
Mrs. Shields is the more embarrassing of the two (an admittedly tough call). She was adamant that she would not support this legislation. Unsurprising since her vote is bought and paid for by SAPOA. To add insult to ignorance, she played the race card on Monday night. I was also amused that Shields now fancies herself a constitutional scholar.
Both Smith and Shields showed their complete ignorance of the council’s own rules and the legislative process. Ms. Cohen asked that Ireton’s package be put on a work session agenda for October. Their argument was that they wanted to be able to craft their own legislation with additional input. That would be fair on something as sweeping on Ireton’s proposal. However, their refusal to allow this to go to work session shows that they simply want to kill any bill that may impede the wishes of SAPOA.
The mayor put forward legislation. Council should then carry it to a work session and discuss it. If Smith and Shields want public input, they could then schedule one or more public forums (or fora, if you choose). Some of us might even be willing to forgive the fact that Smith has never been worried about such input before. To appease Ms. Shields, at least one of the forums could be held over at the firehouse so that here constituents don’t have to make that long trek across the river. Personally, I’d be very interested to see how many folk show up at such a forum on the west side and then hear Shanie’s new excuses for not supporting it. These things could be taken care of in less than a month! If Campbell and Cohen refused to agree to a series of input sessions (no more than four), then the responsibility for this would fall on their shoulders.
It doesn’t really matter though. The bottom line is that this whole thing will never pass. Louise’s ego has been bruised; plus she is counting on heavy slumlord support to help her overcome her tax hiking, big spending, cop furloughing, deceitful image in a re-election bid. Shanie is already owned – lock, stock, and residence – by SAPOA.
To see two of Salisbury’s dimmest minds in action, I heartily recommend the following videos:
Enjoy them. If you live in Salisbury, feel sorry that you have two such minds on your city council; and remember, you can get rid of Louise and Gary Comegys (if he chooses to stand for re-election) next spring.
11 comments:
In Gary's condition he should do the right thing by the city he claims to love so much, and resign. I'm sorry for his illness but the business of the city still goes on. The way things are now, nothing is happening because of the gridlocked 2/2 voting.
Hey 10:50 at least gridlock means fewer damaging votes get past that doom out future.
this is a great post by the way and with the one above it I feel like I know a lot more about what's going on.
I have seen nothing in Daily Times.
Thanks gentelmen.
I can't wait until the next election. Unfortunately I made a mistake by supporting Louise Smith and Supporting Jim Ireton. To make matters worse I crossed party lines and convinced friends, neighbors and family members to cross party lines. What have we gotten in return for our support? A royal screwing by them both. Jim Ireton I thought I couldn't do any worse after supporting Louise Smith, but you proved me a liar.
Three ways to improve things and move ahead in Salisbury. Get rid of Louise, Shanie, and Stu Leer, they don't have a clue. Coud we give all three a one way cruise, a long walk on a short pier, a trip to the zoo? Louise doesn't no CRIME is the big issue, Shanie only knows racism, sapoa and her people, she paints a pretty picture their dirt poor, don't know how to raise their kids, and it's always the race card. If I were her people I would be offended by her, what happened to the educated, hard working, good parents, she never stands up for them, she doesn't want to end crime for them, she wants slum lords to have all the rights, she wants poor housing so she can cry a river. People in Shanie's neighborhood rise up against her comments start speaking up!!!!
Louise has been acting even more dilusional lately and looks like she is on the verge of a meltdown.
12:45,
Ireton is trying--he cannot get anything throught the stupid council!
Gary won't resign because he knows it would be the end of their majority. If that ever happens, you can believe the mayor will start to get things done.
On video "Salisbury Council V" - When Louise Smith calls for the vote SHE votes "AYE" then gets confused, asks for the nay votes then says she voted "NAY". Which vote counts, her first or second?
Is this for real?
I can't believe adults act this way. That council president is an A$$. and the black woman seems a dumb as a box of rocks. The "lawyer" is about useless!
WTF?
2:49, I was thinking the same thing.
5:01, I thought I heard more than two voices too.
Great post, guys.
Joe and G.A., thank you! I've learned more in the last 2 or 3 days about what's going on than I ever have. Nothing in the sorry newspaper I'm sorry to say I still take.
Can't the Council do a vote of no confindence to get Gary out?
He's not able to do the job, therefore, they should have no confidence in him!
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