Thank You, Gary Comegys

In an earlier post I criticized outgoing Salisbury councilwoman Louise Smith for her poor performance and lack of basic honesty.  Two term councilman Gary Comegys is also leaving office.  While I am glad to see Gary leave office (c’mon, we disagree on controversial issues about 70% of the time), I truly hope that the city will continue to be the beneficiary of his insight AND his point of view.

Over the years I have given Gary his fair share of a hard time.  I’m not doing that here.  Why?  Not because of his illness.  While I pray for Gary’s healing every day, both he and you should know by now that his illness would never stop me from criticizing his actions.

No, instead Comegys personifies the best in a politician that you oppose.  While I have disagreed with Comegys far more than I have agreed with him, I have always respected his point of view AND the many insights which he has offered over the years.

Comegys has been willing to discuss issues and has been willing to be frank and open (provided it was off the record).  While many, including myself, have ridiculed Gary at times; I long ago learned that he is far more intelligent than his “Bubba” persona lets on.

Comegys has proven himself to be a great councilman – despite our innumerable disagreements.  He has also proven himself to be a better than average politician.  I have long speculated that it was Comegys who engineered the “big payoff” which resulted in Louise Smith getting the center chair in return for her faithful support for the “Barrie Comegys” bloc on council.  For two years, Comegys (as council Vice-President) and then-mayor Barrie Tilghman used Smith like a two dollar whore.  Post-Tilghman, it was obvious that Comegys was directing the council’s movement to block most of incumbent mayor Jim Ireton’s agenda.  With Gary’s illness, we saw Louise’s total inability to control the council’s direction.  Despite all of this, Smith will go to her grave thinking that she was actually running things.

Many readers may be shocked that I consider Comegys political acumen a good quality.  Think about it.  Comegys found himself on election night 2007 in a perceived minority.  Smith had pledged her support to Debbie Campbell.  She had lied to many of us who supported Smith’s run that she was supportive of the same agenda that Campbell, Terry Cohen, and Tim Spies supported.  In a matter of a few hours Comegys was able to turn this “loss” around 180 degrees.

NOTE – I admit that this is speculation.  Gary has not admitted this to me; nor has he denied it.  That said, there is no doubt that someone reached out to Smith and the primary beneficiary was the agenda of “Barrie Comegys”.

I wish Gary and his wife Debbie well.  I will continue to pray for his recovery.  I also hope that he will continue to stay involved and speak out on issues which are important to him.  Over the last eight years I have learned that it doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with Gary Comegys.  He is worth listening to.  For that, and his service, Gary deserves our gratitude.