SALISBURY BUSINESS INTERESTS DECIDE TO BECOME A SECRET "PAC"

The group of "like-minded" business types calling themselves "Citizens for a Better Salisbury" that have come together on the eve of this year’s election in Salisbury has decided that it is not appropriate to be an official "political action committee." They have now withdrawn their registration as such a group, filed about one month ago, apparently to avoid public disclosure of those who provide funding. A spokesperson says that such disclosure would not be "appropriate."

Thus, the voters will remain largely uninformed about who is involved in this group. However, it has been revealed that Charles Moore (accountant-the "Treasurer"), Gordon Gladden (insurance-now retired-the "Chairman") and Brad Gillis (real estate-a spokesperson) are involved, so it seems likely that the retinue may include segments of the Greater Salisbury Committee and Chamber of Commerce, if not the full support of those organizations.

Some and possibly most of the City Council candidates have refused to complete a questionnaire sent by this would be PAC because its leaders would not provide disclosure about its members – Muir Boda, who has met with members of the group, being an exception. It remains to be seen which candidates will decline to participate in a forum that "CBS" plans to conduct in March, after the primary. Based on a statement that the spokesperson recently made, they also may promote (fund, etc.) certain candidates in the election.