Weekly Campaign, Government and Real Estate
I wanted to take a moment and share my positions on a couple of issues that have been before the City Council recently. These have been on my website, http://www.boda4salisbury.com/ under the section “How Would I Vote” and I wanted people to be clear on where I stand on some of these issues.
Since both of these issues deal with acquiring and selling properties, it goes with my general philosophy that governments typically should not be actively involved in the Real Estate market and when it is, the approach should be with extreme caution. I certainly understand that we need to have Fire Departments, Police Departments, Public Works and basic office space for the general operations of our government. Governments should not be in the business of property management or for a better term a landlord, because the results are usually disastrous, such as all of the empty, boarded up homes owned by the Wicomico County Housing Authority in this city, that is another topic for another day.
So here are two recent situations that were very controversial and my position on them.
Linens of the Week
I oppose the City of Salisbury acquiring this property for several reasons.
First, the unknown costs that are potentially associated with the cleanup is not a risk worth taking. The hopes that grants will be available to help offset the cleanup costs, is not a guarantee as the $14 Trillion National Debt should be a big warning sign.
Second, he who makes the mess should be the one to pay for the cleanup. Sticking the taxpayer with the bill and responsibility is unfair.
Third, is the issue of disposition after the property has been cleaned up. The government just handing it over for free, no matter who the organization is, is not the right thing to do. I do believe Habitat for Humanity is a great organization and if they want the property they should acquire it on their own, not as pass through from the government after taxpayers have cleaned it up.
Don’t get me wrong, I think charity is a great thing, I just don’t believe government should be in the business of forcing taxpayers to donate properties to non-profits and churches, especially after taxpayer funds have been used to fix a property up.
Bottom line: government should have no role in this property other than ensuring the environmental cleanup is done, the property is safe and that the transaction between private parties is free of fraud.
The Old Firehouse
Despite the controversy surrounding this issue I would have voted for the sale.
I believe Palmer Gillis’ intentions are honorable and that he did not attempt to deceive anyone. There are strict requirements in this deal and everyone must understand that an educational component is required. Failure to adhere to the requirements will result in the building being forfeited back to the city.
The other aspect of this issue is that renovation costs could be between $500,000 to $1,000,000. There are very few who have the resources available to pull that off and Palmer is one of those few. He has a proven track record here in Salisbury and I hope we can all give him a chance to accomplish something that we all will benefit from.
Muir Boda
Candidate for Salisbury City Council
I still question the other two parcels of land that weren't advertized for auction.
ReplyDeleteI want to see a locally owned business there. I say advertize it right, auction it off with no questions about parcels yada, yada and move forward.
I do absolutely agree the point on the old linens plant. Clean up what you mess is what I tell everyone at work!
Where was Mr. Boda when the vote was being taken on Linens? He could have spoke up then.
ReplyDeleteBoda's position on the old firehouse sale is disturbing. No comment on the process not being followed? Worse, he made this about "who" is buying the property, guess a giveaway deal is okay as long as the buyer is someone we like rather than take more money from someone like Joe Albero.
Boda is lacking a lot of info on Linens. He needs to get better informed. Taxpapers will not be cleaning up Linens.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Boda has a common sense approach to the issues...
ReplyDeleteNO DECEPTION!!!! Is that why UMES came out and stated they were pulling out of the deal Palmer and UMES had after LORA outed the deal. It would be an unfair advantage to any locally owned restaurant in the area. Palmer had the idea UMES and the state were going to foot some of the bill and now whats left? Palmer scratching his junk asking what am I going to do eith this place now. Not a peep since UMES pulled out... NO DECEPTION??? Get a grip... If Palmer can pull the wool over Boda's eyes then guess what... Move on and he dosen' get my vote... And what about the 2 water front pieces of property that seemed to join the sale. Not advertised correctly so the city is liable to every citizen of Salisbury for their negligence. Start over and see what happens. I just bet Palmer dosen't even come to the plate...
ReplyDeleteHere's something really funny. Taylor send Albero a bogus story about a girl that worked for Walmart and claimed she was fired. The name was fake and they thought it was funny but it actually hurt the candidate they are supporting, Boda. Taylor would sell his own mother.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 2:38pm - I agree with your statement. This town is all about who you know and so on.......
ReplyDeleteBoda will not have my vote. Any association with that Taylor blogger and the answer is no, no, no. Boda seems to be trying to playing both sides. The name of Louise Smith ring a bell? With the firehouse he seems to be playing good old boy. Answer is still no, no, no! Common sense? He attacked Debbie Campbell on sheer number of no votes with no idea what they were trying to stop. Here's a no vote right here!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Bota's ties to Taylor is like shooting himself in the foot. Any association with that fool is political suicide.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the fire department property someone needs to hurry up and pull in the reigns on that new fire chief. I hear he is wasting thousands of dollars on personal items for himself. I hear he is also violation SOP's just because he can. Good choice Mr. Ireton!
ReplyDelete3:55 Well, who is going to pay for the cleanup at the linen plant? The federal GOV? Where do you think they get their money? It just falls from the sky?
ReplyDeleteBend over taxpayers, back door politics.
$1,000,000 to renovate? Then just tear the place down.
ReplyDelete