Barrie Comegys Will Do ANYTHING for Political Payback

As they slither out of office, the corrupt Barrie Comegys crew are showing that they will do ANYTHING to attack their political opponents. This includes attempting to circumvent the normal, legal, political process.

Salisbury voters should note that the SAPOA-endorsed crew of Gary Comegys, Louise Smith and Shanie Shields are attempting an end run around Mayor Jim Ireton’s recent veto of council’s legislation to strip councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen of health insurance coverage. Their original, politically motivated attempt was transparent, but fair. Now they are trying to amend the city’s charter on the EVE OF AN ELECTION! To add insult to injury, the Barrie Comegys serpents are afraid to make their attempt before the cold light of PAC-14’s cameras. Instead, they will sleaze this measure through on Friday afternoon – when the hardworking, tax paying citizens are busy working – even though a regular council meeting is scheduled for 3 DAYS LATER!

WHY?

Why are Gary and Louise SO intent on stripping their council opponents of health care coverage? (Shanie Shields is a non-factor in these matters. She will merely vote the way her SAPOA masters instruct – which means to do ANYTHING to harm Campbell and Cohen.) Barrie Comegys will attempt to explain that this is saving the taxpayers money. In fact, it is. It will save each citizen a penny or two a year. If this were coming from someone else, this might not be so laughable. Comegys has helped to pad the pockets of developers with MILLIONS of taxpayers dollars during his eight years on council. One of Smith’s first acts on council was to amend the charter to permit a double-digit TAX INCREASE!

Any claim by Smith, Comegys, or Shields that they are looking out for the city’s taxpayers (unless they happen to be members of SAPOA) is a LIE. So … Why are they really doing it? The answer is simple. Gary, Louise, and Shanie leech off of the taxpayers for their pensions and health care. By ending the practice of allowing council members to join the city’s health insurance (at the same cost of a regular city employee), they are putting a hardship on Cohen in particular.

WHY HIDE?

Why does Barrie Comegys feel the need to do this in relative secrecy? They have attempted this measure – TWICE. Both times the mayor has vetoed their attempts. They don’t have the votes to override and simply don’t want the public to see their transparent political chicanery. Even though Comegys and Smith are “retiring” (before they are ridden out of town on rails), SAPOA has other candidates on the ballot this spring. They don’t want them to lose votes. If this were aired in the cold light, that is precisely what may happen.

It should be noted that the Daily Times failed to give this a mention in today’s article on yesterday’s work session. I wasn’t aware that my local paper had gotten so thick that the DT had to cut back on important news.

IS THIS LEGAL?

In a word – yes. They can hold their meeting, away from the cameras and public eye. Barrie Comegys can pass a resolution to amend the charter with three (3) votes. However, that’s when the real fun starts.

There is a difference of opinion as to whether the mayor may veto a resolution. Many, including myself, have argued that a resolution cannot be vetoed. However, City Attorney Paul Wilber ruled several years ago that a mayor could. Will he reverse himself now that it is Mayor Ireton instead of Mayor Tilghman?

Who knows?

Regardless, Ireton should veto the measure on principle. A new council will be sworn in on April 25th. Let them vote on a charter change IF one is necessary. If the new council members are so principled and opposed to council members receiving these benefits they can opt out. However, if they receive their daily bread from the taxpayers – like Comegys, Smith, and Shields – they need to be very careful in trying to make political hay out of this issue. Hypocrisy doesn’t sell very well.