Salisbury News will provide a more detailed breakdown some time this afternoon. In the mean time, what I'd like ALL citizens to consider is this. The Bank of Delmarva holds the note on this property. Salisbury News has been told, (not confirmed) that they have yet to reclaim the property and its been reported that the Bank of Delmarva hasn't done so because of the liability the building.
The Bank is in business to make money and again it's been reported Mr. Miller hasn't made regular payments on the property in years. That being said, its time the Mayor and Council crack down on this blighted property and force the Bank of Delmarva to step up to the plate and take that building down OR make it fully compliant.
One thing I can assure you of Folks is that Code and Compliance forces the REST of us property owners to do just that, yet the Bank of Delmarva seems to be getting some favoritism for one reason or the other. Mind you, I am NOT trying to imply Code and Compliance has not done their job, they have. The responsibility lies on the Mayor's Office.
The Gillis deal is done, now its time you pick up the phone and call the Mayor's office, 410-548-3100 and or send him an e-mail at jireton@ci.salisbury.md.us. Jim Ireton wanted to become Mayor, now its time he start acting like one.
24 comments:
Too bad so sad.
The Gillis family should look at some property in Delmar, MD. There are some great areas of opportunity there!
Code and Compliance is communist in nature.
Ireton has turned out to be a malignant, self serving progressive leftist socialist. So now he has joined forces with Laura Mitchell in trying to DEFY the citizens who voted for the current council majority and usurp the public taxpayers. Ireton is determined to turn Salisbury into a ghetto just like ALL Democrat controlled governements, Detroit, Philly, Baltimore---what a total disaster Jim Ireton has turned out to be.
Sounds like Gillis was trying to strong-arm his way into an even bigger sweetheart deal than before.
Receiving a fire house WELL BELOW MARKET VALUE and illegally also receiving TWO WATERFRONT LOTS weren't enough for him?
Then he turns around and tries to tie together another, totally unrelated property into this deal? For what reason?
The Feldman Building is an eyesore and a hazard. Failure to properly maintain the building and historic regulations have given it negative economic value.
BOD should cut its losses and raze the building, then sell the lot. The city should help to make this a possibility by being flexible with its regulations. It has more value as land than it does as land and a building.
IF BOD is lucky, the new owner will finance with them, giving them a chance to recoup some of their losses over the long run.
Personally, I think a brand new, retro-looking building would help make that side look much nicer. And the modern amenities would create premium space that somebody downtown would actually want to work or live in.
As it stands now, downtown is a neat facade with horrible, out of date buildings inside. Those kind of conditions do not lend themselves to attracting economic activity. Here's a great opportunity to build some momentum around making a great downtown possible.
Why should it be the bank's responsibility if they haven't taken ownership of the property? Go after the owner, it is his responsibility. There is nothing that I am aware of mandating that a lender assume ownership.
The bank should write off the loan and release the collateral.
12:38, we city residents did not exactly vote for the majority. The new majority formed itself after the election. I voted for those who are the new majority. I wish that I could take my vote back now. The mayor is correct in his letter he sent via e-mail today: The majority are attempting a "power grab"(his words). An issue as important as whom the city solicitor primarily works for should not be pushed through with no public input; rather,it should be open to referendum.
I applaud Laura Mitchell for her petition drive and hopes that it succeeds. All the petiton does is allow the issue to be put to referendum.
Regarding this story about the Gillises, did they not buy the Fire Station, or can the deal be rescinded?
12:47 is correct. At this point in time the property is the responsibility of whoever is on the deed. Now that being said....why hasn't the note holder started with the foreclosure procedings?
Well that's because "MOST", that's right I said MOST people in Salisbury are just flat out lazy, dumb and ignorant... They always can voice their opinions when it has nothing to do with them... They ALWAYS pass the buck to the other meaning they won't EVER take responsibility for their own actions, but instead blame others for their shortcomings...
basically, all-in-all, STFU and get over it already, its been this way for at least 30 years I have been on this earth, and I know for a fact it won't change for another 60...
To the poster that said Gillis would be getting illegal land, would you go run and play in traffic already because the world is better off with out you... IF he was buying a building that along with that deed had 2 lots attached, then he would be paying for that and its not illegal... To buy something is not illegal, so go back to school and learn the laws and the differences of said laws...
anonymous 1:29, in Palmer's defense, he asked that the additional lots be removed from the deal long ago. He didn't need that property and asked to remove it from the package.
Joe-
Is that why Palmer was looking into dredging the river from market to the Fire House??? Because he just didn't want that property and or the lot next to the law office that sits inbetween???? Makes you wonder!!!
12:54, first of all, you are off topic.
Second of all, if the mayor said the charter referendum happened with "no public input," then he is a liar.
Two people showed up for public input, one of each side. But I am one of the many people who have spoken up over the years to my elected officials about the legal messes of this city.
Let me repeat, FOR YEARS!
I applaud the three people of the council who had the guts to take on the whining and foot-stomping mud-slinging of a man I thought would be a good mayor, but has proven not to be so. All he has done for six months is hold press conferences damning members of city council.
Now, back to the topic. No offense to Palmer Gillis, but blaming the council for not being able to make a business deal based on something that wasn't a sure thing is not good form. Since when is our government supposed to give away things in order to make someone's other business deal happen? Sounds like corporate welfare to me. I don't even remember Feldman's being part of the firehouse discussion until now. Did I fall asleep and miss something?
I walked by the Feldman building when the door was open. All you could smell was mold. I know it is seeping out into the air The building is a health issue and should be destroyed.
Anon 3:08.... public input? No thats not true at all...yes, two people did speak, however, the Charter change is by Resolution not by Ordinance. Meaning...there is no official public hearing. If you watched like I did then you recall Terry allowing for public input...it was never advertised as such. Matter of fact the agenda came out on Thursday and was put to vote on Monday!!!
Bottom line...it was jammed thru!!
Anonymous said...
Ireton has turned out to be a malignant, self serving progressive leftist socialist. So now he has joined forces with Laura Mitchell in trying to DEFY the citizens who voted for the current council majority and usurp the public taxpayers. Ireton is determined to turn Salisbury into a ghetto just like ALL Democrat controlled governements, Detroit, Philly, Baltimore---what a total disaster Jim Ireton has turned out to be.
November 4, 2011 12:38 PM
The only way to get a decent mayor is to make it a PAID full time position. What idiot wants to work more than full time hours for part time pay at $25,000. That is chicken feed.
What idiot.... oops... I guess Jim Ireton would. I rest my case.
3:08 and 5:37, I watched the meeting, as I have for a number of years.
Yes, the agendas came out the week before - just as it always has. The public can comment on ANY item on the agenda before the vote. I have seen many an important item come up where NO ONE spoke -- but they had the opportunity. The council cannot go put guns to peoples' heads and make them speak.
I agree with the previous commenter who has said the problem has been talked about for years. This is the most transparent, cooperative council I've seen in years. I do not understand what snapped in Jim Ireton that he has attacked them every chance he gets. He was never this mean to Louise Smith and she undercut him every step of the way.
Salisbury has just gotten odd in the last decade. I'm glad my situation doesn't allow me to attend in person. I'd probably say something I shouldn't.
To 12:51 - The Bank should go ahead and write off the loan and release the collateral.
Hold-on for a minute. What about the Condos on the Ditch property. I guess they should go ahead and write that loan off to.
For what it is worth - who in their right mind would want to own property at that location and then have to look out across the river and see a stinking poultry processing plant. The blight in the immediate neighborhood is horrid.
From my perspective - our area is in a depression. Real estate in general is currently selling at a fraction of what it was selling for 3 or 4 years ago. In fact - I would go as far as to say it is getting worse.
Laura and Shanie are hanging our at secret meetings at the Chamber of COmmerce with the likes of Louise Smith and Mike Dunn. That says it all for me.
12:38 - Gillis made on offer on the Fire Station; the council didn't accept it, thus no, they didn't buy it.
12:42 - Isn't it great that Gillis didn't get it at "WELL BELOW MARKET VALUE"? Now all Council has to do is pick out which of the many offers from that long long list of those offering what you perceive to be "MARKET VALUE" to get rid of this property burden. After all market value is that which is the most anyone is willing to pay - so there must be lots of offers hiding.
As for the idea of the retro style building for Feldman's, it will be interesting to see what you have once you bought the property, demolished the building, and rebuilt to your taste. Course if you're not going to then - no money no say.
All this contention is why downtown Salisbury has be come a dump, avoided by most. Even when one puts their money up a does a fine remodeling like Joe has, it is under appreciated and unsellable because of its location.
The Gillises weren't able to bully the city into giving them a sweetheart deal on two properties. The city might have listened if they had solid tenants for either property.
Ireton says the city would have to pay $250,000 to somebody to tear down & remediate Feldmans. That amount would become a lien on the property. He says the city can't afford to do that.
So, we're screwed by a fast talking developer and an inept city government.
9:02, agreed. The inept part is not the city council's. Ireton has the same crew Barrie did.
Any sympathy I had for Gillis went out this morning with the Daily Times story. (I'm ashamed I bought it.) Gillis sounds like a spoiled child. Maybe if everybody stopped trying to make secret deals to support their next secret deal, we could get somewhere.
Not gonna happen in Sleazebury.
9:45 pm , a dump and avoided by most. Avoided by all.
So sad. What is to become of downtown Salisbury?
A not so safe place anymore. Where is the bike cop? That helped and everybody knew him. If he retired, they should be put someone else in that position.
We should just move the center of the city somewhere else.
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