This morning, a closed session of the Salisbury City Council scheduled for 9 a.m. was canceled due to an 8:50 a.m. email from Mayor Jim Ireton stating the city attorney would not attend (per the mayor’s direction). The purpose of the closed session was to meet with the city attorney for an update the council on pending legislation.
“It was my intent to employ a window of opportunity for council, particularly our new members, to have a simple information session, not for the purpose of taking any action. Hence, I did not make special notification to the mayor or administration for attendance because it was my impression that they are already up to date on what cases exist and would not need duplicate use of their time,” said Council President Terry Cohen.
“I apologize if any action I took with all good intentions of furthering the business of city was misconstrued. This update has been on the pending list for months, if not more than a year, so I am disappointed that the mayor did not allow it to continue,” she added.
After the meeting was opened and Cohen read the email to council to explain why the closed session was being canceled, council had discussion pertaining to the situation. Cohen adjourned the meeting at 9:28 a.m., citing concerns that the discussion might not be compliant with the Open Meetings Act.
“I called the attorney general’s office today and spoke with the legal counsel to the Open Meetings Compliance Board to discuss whether or not there was any deficiency, given our unusual circumstances. The conversation was positive and helpful,” Cohen noted.
Cohen asked the city clerk’s office to put the audio of the meeting on the city’s website (www.ci.salisbury.md.us) and said that minutes of the meeting will be produced in a reasonable time frame, in further accordance with the Open Meetings Act.
“This release is to ensure that the public is made aware of the situation in keeping with the goal of the fullest disclosure and transparency possible,” Cohen said.
What an F*N crybaby with his power struggle. He is worse than Barrie Tilghman!!
ReplyDeleteThis is good stuff to post. This is what we want to see.
Ireton is a sore loser and wants revenge.
ReplyDeleteCohen our next mayor?
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused. Does the city attorney (Paul Wilber) work for the Council, the mayor, or both? How can Ireton order Wilber not to attend a meeting of the Council? Maybe someone can enlighten me. Ireton does seem to be reacting irrationally. I assume it's due to the Council's vote to overturn his veto?
ReplyDelete6:10, if I had to guess, Ireton is trying to sabotage Cohen for possibly that very reason. I think he thinks she's going to run against him so he's trying to make her look bad in every way possible.
ReplyDeleteHe might be thinking the same about Debbie Campbell, cursing in the hallway about her.
How else do you explain his flipping out on these women who he used to call friends?
Don't blame me. I voted for Bob Caldwell.
Ireton is such a sore loser....time to grow the hell up Jimbo!
ReplyDeleteIf Ireton's motive is to try to sabotage Terry Cohen and make her look bad, I have a Dr. Phil question for him: "How's that working for you?"
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the mayor's motivation is, but he acts like he is off his rocker.
ReplyDeleteTerry, you keep doing what you do. You are honest and thorough and always keep us in mind.
Cohen is a class act. I appreciate her service to Salisbury.
ReplyDeleteJoe, you should really listen to that audio.
ReplyDelete