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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
All I can say is good for the Council, they are listening to the voters who put them there.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who was present for that part of the Salisbury Council's last work session, I can state Allan Hope's press release is little more than a series of lies. What aren't lies are wild suppositions.
ReplyDeleteTo state that the council has place MORE restrictions is totally false. All four members of council present at the work session agreed to allow Urban Salisbury to be able to use UP TO 20% of the funding for general and administrative expenses. This is not allowed under the current budget. They all unanimously agreed to give Urban Salisbury more flexibility in applying the funds to uses other than what was passed in the FY2012 budget.
Hope's comments on how much the city should be funding Urban Salisbury are also false. The Main Street Maryland guidelines suggest that the locality (Salisbury) should be funding an entity such as Urban Salisbury with approximately 1/3 of their budget for the FIRST THREE YEARS. While I can't be sure, I suspect that Salisbury did fund Urban Salisbury at that level.
Bruce Patterson's remarks in the press release are typical of Mr. Patterson - bluster and falsehood. I'm surprised that the council is willing to fund ANY amount to an organization run by Hope and Patterson.
Urban Salisbury has proven itself to be a damaged brand under Hope and Patterson. The city would be wise to re-direct its funding to an organization that is run by people more concerned with revitalizing Salisbury's downtown and less with political grandstanding because they don't get everything they want.
Urban Salisbury returned the city's check. As a taxpayer, I take offense at the behavior of Hope and Patterson. I appreciate the volunteers who donate time, talent and their personal resources to our downtown area, but I find the behavior of Hope and Patterson inexcusable. What a shame that they are behaving in a way that taints the good work of others. Leadership that is irresponsible enough to send out a realease like this and return a check to a funder should be replaced if an organizaition such as Urban Salisbury wants to remain credible. Hpe and Patterson should resign or be replaced. I have always supported Urban Salisbury, but not this arrogance towards the taxpayers and a council that I think was trying to do the right thing within the confines of a very tight budget.
ReplyDeleteIt time for G.A. to step up to the plate and take over Urban Salisbury.
ReplyDelete2:18, well said!!!
ReplyDeleteThis tantrum throwing by Urban Salisbury's leadership and Jim Ireton has just gotten old.
If all their "$2.4 million contribution" has gotten downtown is what we see now, Hope and Patterson should have been gone a long time ago.
I agree with you that the volunteers are great. Just to do something like Third Friday is a big undertaking. I think the council was trying to be supportive of them and I applaud them for that.
I'm tired of whiners like these guys.
ReplyDeleteI really doubt Urban Salisbury brought in "2.4 Million dollars" to Salisbury.
ReplyDeletePROVE It!! Anyone can fudge figures!
It's a shame that Hope and Patterson are painting Urban Salisbury in a bad light. There is a total lack of professionalism displayed in this relaese. I love things like 3rd Friday and appreciate the efforts of the volunteers. These actions, not so much.
ReplyDeleteWith 2.4 million,it should look like Main Street USA in Disney World!
ReplyDeleteQuestion: It shows volunteer hours would be compensated @ $22.32 per hour, if they had to hire someone to do the work that volunteers are doing. (at least I'm assuming that is what is meant)
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly do these volunteers for Urban Salisbury?