One hot topic (and obvious election ploy) on last night’s council agenda was whether or not city council members should receive health care benefits as part of their compensation. A decent argument can be made on either side. However, for the argument to come from the spendthrift, and hypocritical, Barrie Comegys bloc was a little too much to swallow.
Arguing that the council needed to tighten its belt, Princess Louise, along with Gary Comegys and Shanie Shields, want to strip councilwomen Terry Cohen and Debbie Campbell of their health insurance (by making them pick up 100% of the cost). Where do Louise, Gary, and Shanie get their health insurance? From the taxpayers of course! (Louise from Florida, Gary and Shanie from Maryland taxpayers).
While Comegys and Shields have served on council, they have supported adding millions of dollars to the city’s to reimburse developers. The Marley Manor lift station will NEVER recoup its cost. Ditto for Sassafras Meadows. Would they like to discuss the TIF for the Old Mall?
Last year, and the year before, and the year before … the suggestion was made to cut the council’s travel budget. OH NO! Gary needed this perk so he could be made president of the MML.
Speaking of insurance … Wicomico County has shaved a fair chunk off of their non-health insurance costs by leaving LEGIT (is Barrie Tilghman still a board member?) and bidding their insurance out. Would Salisbury? Of course not!
If the city is going to do anything with “The Bricks”, other than take it off of the tax rolls, the city will need to spend around $1 million. We have a similar problem (but probably much worse) with the “Linens of the Week” property that the same “fiscally responsible” council members voted to take over just after this item.
As Louise plans her big re-election announcement on Friday the HYPOCRISY (and political maneuvering) abound. Not to be outdone by Comegys or Shields, Louise announced that she wanted council to reduce their salaries. Nothing precludes Smith from donating all (or a part) of her salary back to the city. Has she done it? Of course not!
14 comments:
The words "tax increase" pass Louise's lips recently.
As a businessman (retired) I can say you are right that there are two sides. I will say these council people and the mayor are responsible for a $50 million corporation. Granted, three of them aren't worth a plug nickel, but that's besides the point. If you want good management, you have to pay to get it.
What surprised me about the discussion last night was the city attorney gave an opinion on whether or not Mrs. Cohen would be violating ethics to vote. A couple of years ago when this blew up, he refused to do it. I think she was right on the money to not vote. She may have technically been in the clear, but it would have looked bad if she voted, regardless of how.
Salisbury City government is so smelly, you don't even need a breeze to have to hold your nose.
In my opinion regardless of what they vote on today should not affect current members that have insurance benefits. Many businesses are doing the same, new hires benefit's may be less than those with tenure. I know of places where people doing the same job are paid differently because of the aforementioned policies.
No more freebies!
GA:
Did you forget that "TIF" for Aydelotte Farm?
I heard Bubba on PAC14 last night -- if his subdivision wants sidewalks, then the City will pay half.
We must not reelect him or Louweasel if they run this year.
They are part time at best. They wanted to do this, so I say no benefits.
Hey The council could sell the bricks or Linnens of the week to Palmer for nothing....BUT wait they are NOT water front properties..dang.
12:53 has a good point and Mr. Harrison made a good point at the meeting about the salary review commission. Why not take the political charge out of this and have it reviewed by that group on the same schedule as the salary. I thought they already considered it anyway.
only benifit they get should be an escort to the county line.
for as long as i can remember this was an option for the council and im a native
it isnt free now
the two ladies of the council pay a percentage for themselves and their families same as what the employees do
their salaries were determined by a committee that took those benefits into account when recommending salary
you can debate the merits till the cows come home but this never was about the merits
its about tilghman comegys smith and shields abusing their position to punish the two they dont like
plain and simple
thats what its always been about
the amount of time and legal expense wasted by this is amazing in a town where the officials should be spending time on the crime situation and the terrible business climate and the rundown housing
instead you got three buffoons that just want to hurt two people who actually work at the job
i had thought about running but if i got in with a bunch like that id have to quit
all they care about is giving the city away to their buddies and hurting anyone who gets in their way
In the private sector, not many part-timers get 100% paid health insurance. Why should this be any different?
8:47, the comment right above you says the council people pay a percentage of the cost, it's not 100% free.
My two cents? I think this is a bunch of b.s. to keep people from thinking about the fireboat, the old firehouse, the wastewater plant, and all the other disasters backed by the other two council members who will probably run for reelection. I mean, c'mon, who spends three years on taking away health insurance for elected officials when the roads are crumbling and you got multi-million dollar lawsuits?
These people need to get a clue or get off the council.
6:51 understands completely. Shame on Salisbury for voting for the three stooges.
April is coming, people. Do your homework this time around.
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