5 years ago I made what I thought was a great investment in Downtown Salisbury. I purchased 300 W. Main Street. Over the past 5 years I have been constantly spending money improving the building. I have remodeled the apartments upstairs, everything brand new. I have improved the main floor and there's not a single person who comes in this building that isn't in awe over the improvements, including the former owners. I bought this building because I didn't want to be one of those people on the outside looking in complaining about Salisbury. I wanted to prove my interest financially and show I could make a difference. In 5 years I have paid almost $40,000.00 in taxes between the City, County and State. Now Mayor, let me ask you a very simply question. Just what am I getting for my $40,000.00/ Let's see, do I have parking spaces for my building, NO. I have to buy permits to park where I spend $8,000.00 a year in taxes. Do I get trash pickup? NO, I have to buy a permit, (out of state, mind you) to get a permit to bring trash to the dump. Do I get snow removal, NO. Do I get weeds removed, NO, I have been told I'll be fined if "I" don't remove the weeds, even those on the curbs in the street in front of my property. Here's what "I" see that I get for my $8,000.00 a year. Tax increases. Water and sewer increases, a $14,000,000.00 fire station, fire trucks, ambulances, millions of dollars dumped into a FREE Zoo, TIF money to developers and the old mall, pipe stem annexations at my expense, the Bricks, dozens of employees beautifying the Downtown Plaza one day a month, the Thursday before 3rd Friday. You see Mr. Ireton, I get treated like a whore and you are my Pimp. If people come visit me and happen to stay 5 minutes longer than they expected, they walk out to their vehicle only to see a ticket from your parking people. While many of you wonder why so many businesses are RUNNING out of Salisbury, just ask them and they'll quickly tell you their customers were sick and tired of the ticket police writing them tickets. The Mayor is making a small fortune off these tickets but what you don't know or hear is that those businesses that are left are getting hammered with tickets and customers are refusing to come back. BUT, if you happen to be a DEMOCRAT or are one of the Good Ol' Boys, (like Brew River) well, the City provides parking spaces for free and are too afraid to write tickets there. Yet they aren't afraid to write tickets to businesses like Market Street Inn. Then there's my 82 year old Mother In Law. She owns a very beautiful and well kept home on Camden Ave. Because crime is through the roof and her Husband passed away not long ago, she has decided, why live the rest of my life dealing with pain in the ass college students polluting in her yard and stealing anything that isn't tied down, she's moving to North Caroline, AT 82 YEARS OLD! You know what Mayor, F-You and even the former administration. She's considering putting her home on the market and guess what, the Realtors say it's not worth anywhere near what it should be worth. Pimp Ireton is now every one's Sugar Daddy and unless you can afford to lose money he couldn't care less about any one of you. So much so, tonight he'll be proposing yet ANOTHER tax increase. As if the parking Nazi's aren't bringing in enough extra cash, he wants more. Let's see my brotha pimp Ireton, it used to cost $1.00 to pay the fine, now it's $10.00. That's a 900% increase and now you have at least TWO people out there writing tickets. Yes, even Police Officers are encouraged to write tickets. As many of you know, many people have asked me to run for Mayor. I didn't want to mention this because I didn't want comments to come in just on that point, so please don't make mention of that. However, I will say, I refuse to buy my Mother In Law's home as I'll be damned if I'm going to spend another dime in the City of Salisbury. I refuse to raise our Grandson in a City the odds of him getting shot and killed in the 4th Most Dangerous City in America. Mr. Mayor, on your last 3rd Friday, someone threw 8 eggs on my building. Come on down Folks and take a look at what locals are capable of. No real police protection. I've had graffiti spray painted all the way up at the top of my building and no one was ever caught. I've had graffiti sprayed on the 1st level of my building, no one ever caught. I've caught people urinating on my building ON CAMERA and have been told, unless the Police see it there's nothing they can do about it. Yeah, I've had just about enough of Salisbury and Mayor Pimp Ireton. I refuse to be his whore any more and if it means we all have to take a loss and sell what we have, (or don't have) in Salisbury, so be it. Between the City Mayor and the County Executive, I've seen just about enough of their liberal BS. I bend over for no one and that's why I'm calling Mayor Ireton a Pimp. I'll pay my taxes one last time but I'm outta here and that's final.
66 comments:
You go!
Between Tilghman and Ireton they have destroyed Salisbury.I can't blame you Joe. I only wish I could afford to get out.
Ireton and his camp of commie socialist cornies like Chuck Cook have ruined Salisbury with their hollow Marxist ideals and empty promises.
I would suggest NO ONE pay to park anywhere in Salisbury anymore and refuse to pay fines.
Everyone join together and guess what, they will relent.
Mr. Ireton'
TEAR DOWN THOSE METERS and CAMERA'S!
Joe,you got that right!I dont know who we could elect to clean up this mess,there is no one with a vision anymore-its just status quo.They just put their time in,collect a check and FU.
Do you think we could buy an add with the Daily times and run this for a week?
Pay close attention people. This is what you get when you have a one party state. These libbies have destroyed our Maryland and it breaks my heart.
I actually had a conversation with a liberal not too long ago who supported all the usual suspects and with buyers remorse asked me what we can do. With republican choices slim in this state I suggested that they go to the polls on the next election and vote republican whether or not they like the candidate.
By electing to office a different party candidate you will at least have a fight in the room rather than complacent laws meant to steal your money in the name of taxation.
For one,all parking should be free downtown,that would be a start.
4:09, probably not, but you might be able to by an ad (vertisement)
4:47, you might be able to buy one!
There is no way any business could make it downtown. Sorry it's just the way it is. No one wants to park and have to walk to where they are shopping. Many don't mind the walk but it's a pain if you have to carry everything back to your car. I'm sure the rent is high in that area, it has to be so they can pay the high taxes. If you own the building then you have a mortgage and taxes to pay before you can even think about making a profit on any business.
The City doesn't seem to be interested it improving things they only seem to be interested in how they can make more money so they can waste it.
I'm sure most of you have heard of Ted Nugent and what he said recently "if obama is elected , this time next year I will either be dead or in jail".
These idiots in salisbury don't realize how serious the situation is. Ireton , Shields and that other hussie , all the liberal democrats will be hiding with their head between their legs. They can run but they can't hide , we will have a pay back period.
Those who had the obama signs and banners in their yards , we have a good memory.
It is almost upon us, these idiots should be trembling and shaking in their shoes.
Jim Ireton is an ass and excuse my language but it's true about two years ago my kids were playing with a ball at my aunts house with their cousins and the ball accidently rolled into his bushes when my kids went to get the ball he came outside yelling and cursing at them. At this point my husband confronted him and said it was an accident there is no reason to yell at the kids. After that the cops showed up and said that Ireton said he felt threatened but the cops actually laughed they even stated how much of a prick he is, I have absolutely no respect for him.
You do have a lovely building Joe but much too good for this town. They go on and on about downtown but really do they want it to change, NO. If they did, it would change but the city is not willing to open up main street, get rid of meters and ticket writers, etc., etc., etc. Anything anyone suggests just bounces around and nothing happens unless of course you're the owner of Brew River. Don't blame you one bit for gettin out of downtown and Salisbury altogether. You can still blog from wherever you go and I'll keep reading.
I look at the people in line at the IRS office and know their wait is extended, and if they dare leave to feed a meter I'm sure they lose their place in line. Some meters only give you a half hour, some an hour,,, It's all too much to deal with.To have a business lunch for 1,5 hrs would have everyone in violation! Open al the lots and strets to free parking and watch downtown turn into Easton and Cambridge downtowns. Hey, Jim, ever step out to there? Go take a look and see what free parking does for a downtown! WHY do you think the malls, WalMart and everybody else does it???? Can you say "DUH"?
That is the way a Socialist form of government works. Think about it for a moment. The City of Salisbury & Wicomico have virtually 'no skin in the game' and yet your deed says "Tenant in Entirity". The deed gives the property owner title as a Tenant only - and that is where it stops. Every year you get a property tax bill and then you hand over money for virtually nothing. City & County treasuries get richer, private landowner becomes subserviant to the City & County. The Government continues to expand to the detriment of private enterprise until one day it even starts to consume itself - like is presently happening. Then the Government starts passing even more regulations to hold the masses down - until one day it eventually explodes like a powder keg. Case-in-point - Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, and now the occupiers on Wall Street.
And that is basically what is happening folks. You are living to see it first hand.
In reading newspapers & blogs I see many saying how much they dislike Ireton.
But the people of Salisbury voted him in and now everyone wants to be a backseat driver.
My brother bought a duplex in salisbury, pumped his life savings into remodeling a dump into a beautiful house. He bought the duplex so he could life in half and rent the other half to generate income for his hard work of fixing the place up. Ireton comes along and sues him to convert it back to a single family house. The house has been a duplex for over 70 years!! It cost my brother who had no money at the time almost 7 grand in lawyers and fees to prove that his house was a duplex. My brothers dream of buying another house to fix up in salisbury has now become a nightmare, he will be doing so in another city. Way to push people out that care Mayor... IM FED UP! And good for you Joe, get out while you can.
Things have to get worse before they get better. The sooner this all comes to a head the better off we will be. All government is out of control, especially where the liberals are in control. I don't know how any decent person can admit being a democrat after what they have done to this country!
hey Joe cool you are the man! i don't blame you 1 fricken bit to show your true feelings.Da-bury is a joke and has been for many years.You go from former may.Tilghman sleeping around with old Chiefy to money hungry gay Ireton sleeping around gaybird he can find.then you got Wicomico Co. that all they know how to do is spend spend!. remember those ritsy trash cans for the courthouse.Slick Rick would except the check from joe blow.he gave the check back.its a wonder he didn't keep the check and take his whole office out for anite on the town inAnnapolis with his Gov. buddy OMmalley.Da-bury & Wicomico co. both suck.
Couldn't agree more with your article. I haven't been downtown for many years. I refuse to pay for parking so I can spend my money. I would rather shop online, get free shipping and most sites I shop on, are tax free. I don't get much for the taxes I pay so whenever I can shop tax free, I do it. One day they (our elected officials) will wake up and realize what they have done.
I will follow your site no matter where you go.
What do we want?We want free parking!What do we want?We want free parking!
On weekends,why dont they turn the whole downtown,all the streets into a farmers market with free parking.Charge all the vendors a small fee.Over near DC they do it and its a success!
My wife and I just had a wonderful conversation about downtown. In 1964 she worked at the Bata shoe store on main street, right next to Gordy Drug store. That was the year I was born. We talked and talked about all the stores and the time and how it can be fixed. She ended up saying I think time has just passed it by. I could really feel her heart in the conversation and the reliving of memories. Right up to the point where she said she kissed her first boy out front of the shoe store. Little punk, heck now he got his head up Stew Lears butt.
I asked my wife what did the downtown have then that it does not have now? She said people. As simplictic as that seems it is accurate. She said back then you had to go downtown if you wanted anything. Heck the Montgomery Wards was downtown. That no longer exsist today. She said she used to park that big ole stainwagon her parents owned and walk into work. There were meeters she said but she didnt always have to worry about it because she was young and hot and she new Coulbourne Dykes, he hanging out down at Watsons smoke house. She looked fantastic when I got her can you imagine fifteen years earlier. Colbourne walking the beat new to the force back then.
Time, its bigger than us all. It was here before us and it will be here after us. You gotta make the best of it while you got it.
So, you have people urinating in public on camera and the police say they can't do anything unless they see it? You mean see it IN PERSON? But they WILL ticket you using a camera even though they didn't SEE you speeding. What am I missing, except the money grab? Thats called cop logic. If I'm filmed robbing abank, I suppose I won't be arrested because the cops didn't SEE me in person? Its called cop logic because anyone else using THAT reasoning would be laughed out of town. What's even funnier is that the cops can look at you and say that and convince themselves that it sounds reasonable. What if you walked outside and shot one of those lowlifes and were on camera? You get off because as the cop logic goes, they didn't personally witness the crime? Start capping their ace, Joe.
SBYnews Building is the BEST LOOKING BUILDING ON THE ENTIRE DOWNTOWN PLAZA - PERIOD.
My wife and I just yesterday drove down Main Street and both of us commented about how nice that building looks. The City of Salisbury should be paying you for making such an fine example of Downtown Plaza. Instead, what do they do - tax you into oblivion.
As for me - I hope the Mayor resigns or moves to Rehobutt where he would be more welcome.
anonymous 8:05, (and others) thank you very much. My Wife and I truly love the building and I'd love to do more with it. I think Palmer Gillis did an unbelievable job remodeling it. Hopefully some of you watched PAC 14 tonight as I confronted the Council about these concerns. Unfortunately the Mayor chose to leave soon before I spoke, go figure. He knew I was signed up for general comment but I truly would have enjoyed turning towards him and addressing him face to face. At least ONE of us is man enough to do so anyway.
I would also like to move out of here. I am very upset with the Mayor because of him overlooking Ivan Barkley for Poelice chief. I axed him why did he not give that position to a very confident man instead of Duncan.
When Mr. Barkley was around here they was less crime on the whole west side of town. Now they be drug dealers and Hos on almost every street corner. Bullets flying everywhere and people being shot in broad daylight. I am done with this Mayor and hope that he be gone real soon.
I used to work in the Government Office Building . If we didn't wish to have to navigate the east and west bound lanes of 50 we had to pay for alternate parking. Since most people couldn't or wouldn't shell out the extra cash, they had to make the hike at least twice a day. I chose to pay the difference and parked in the garage. You had people urinate on your building and I had to tiptoe thru the turds in the alleys. Nothing like a steamy pile to start your day. Suffice it to say I don't miss being down there by a long shot.
It will be demolished and gobbled up by the hospital. Thats the future of your downtown.
Put parking BACK on the plaza. Not just 3 spots or however many there are now. FREE!!! Assign a police to the downtown beat. 24/7. Plan weekly or biweekly mini festivals. DO SOMETHING!!!
I just went to the master bedroom and my wife was watching that Farrah Faucet movie where the guy is trapped in the fireplace and she is jabbing him with the poker and asked her if she would write down all the stores she could remember from downtown when she was young.(Pretty scary how most chicks like that movie). Her was as follows:
Watson Smoke House
Benjamins
Hess Apparell
Hess JR
Bata Shoe Store
Woolworths
Montgomery Ward
Smalls Bootery
Endcot Johnsons shoe store
Castleburgs
Gordys Drug store
Saddle Club,
I said what the heck was Smalls Bootery? Did they make little kids cowboy boots and she they made all the little kids shoes. Saddle club she came out ten minutes later and added that to the list and said that was the first time she ever had an adult beverage. Chip bought it for her, crazy world aint it.
Making the list and remembering things made her happy and that my friend is you use time wisely. I want to ask her mother the same questions and see what I get from another time of Salisbury.
Most MD jurisdictions are like this or worse and is why your elected don't sweat it too much. Ocean City for example created the "constant yield" property tax which means you pay the Town the same every year regardless of whether it's assessment had gone up or down. More correctly, constant yield only works in one direction. Single party government does cause this to happen.
And a river ran through it.
Pin this for tomorrow!
Jim Ireton is a P.O.S.!!!
But Joe- the Mayor told Lake that there was a $9.5 MILLION SURPLUS?!?!?!
Now you will see more money wasted on the Salisbury Fire Department since Jim Ireton appointed Hoppes as the Acting Fire Chief.
New Fire Boat
New Canopy built to house the fire boat.
2 brand new suburbans
1 brand new command vehicle
1 brand new foam trailer
1 brand new ambulance
1 brand new brush truck
1 brand new fire station on Naylor Street(Mini Station 16)
This is all in addition to what has already been spent on the Salisbury Fire Department.
9:36-
There was a nice toy store there once, as well as White & Leonard, Ben Franklin, Bill Reardon's store (women's clothes), Ralph & Gaskill and Read's Drugstore -- all now out of business, not just gone from downtown.
That's how it is and always has been (survival of the fittest) and you can thank Wal-Mart and the shopping center operators who have changed the retail locus in every city in the US during the 20th Century -- but some have moved away, like Vernon Powell, and I stopped shopping with them for that reason.
I don't like for Ireton -- didn't vote for him and never will -- but you can't blame him or Barrie for what's happened downtown -- in fact Paul Martin and earlier mayors are somewhat more to blame, because they promoted the shopping centers at the old mall and along Route 13 and Route 50 that killed downtown, despite Pete Cooper's attempt to save it.
Hitler is leading us,
salisbury is a small town and the nation is full of the same problems.
The dictator will fall in time , they all do!
Add to 9:36 PM list: J.C. Penneys,
Lad & Lassie, Mangels, Reads Drug Store
Don't forget Sarbanes store, the Studebaker dealership and the A&P!
Old Timer
You think Salibury is the only problem town? If one really looks around the entire Eastern Shore comparing it to other parts of Maryland nearer DC you find a land that is far far behind,neglecting services for the people, neglecting the town and full of those who do what ever they want never mind what people really need to succeed.It is usually run poorly by only those raised here. They cannot think outside the Eastern Shore box. Me Me Me and Me
I saw you lkast night at the council meeting and as I wrote to the grapevive the removal of the parking meters is a stroke of obvious genius. One piece at a time doesn't show much but doing nothing shows even less than nothing. Silence is compliance but I know what you mean when you imply packing up and leaving. The frustration of a blank slate is exhausting.
Joe you would have a point if
Salisbury was one of a few cities with struggling downtown areas and tight budgets, but its not. It is one of thousands of cities across this country that are having the same problems. Salisbury is not unique in its struggles. No matter what you think, no one person is to blame, and no one person can fix the problems. You are upset because you want someone to blame about your bad investment, and that's understandable - but be mature about it, (instead of saying things like "F-you") and move on. At least Anne Taylor is trying to move on and be successful instead of throwing around blame and spending "16 hours a day" on a blog that no one has asked for. You are not making a difference, you make things worse.
anonymous 7:39, I love how the Anti Albero people can get into my head and read my mind.
First of all, 300 W. Main Street was never a bad investment. IF you knew ANYTHING about finances, its a perfect write off for me. I have seen a return on my investment, something you'd never understand because you've never been financially successful.
You sound like the Mayor himself and let me explain why. Last night the Mayor said almost the very same thing, Salisbury is struggling just like ALL cities and municipalities across America. BS!
Rockville, Bowie, Alexandria have NEVER felt the recession, NEVER. Their property values have gone UP. While the Mayor and Mitchell love to compare Salisbury to these areas, IT IS NOT!
Salisbury is NOT surrounded by Washington, D.C. or several million government jobs. Salisbury is unique and must be treated as such with very different leadership. There must be a plan, a vision in order to succeed.
I'll save the rest for my Mayoral speech. LOL
I agree silence is compliance. There are too many poor people here.They just settle for the worst this area offers.Too many poor and no one speaks up to say this is not right. w how to change or take action. Or dont care. All the time I hear... "I dont know what to do" or "There is nothing I can do about it". Really? NooOOOOO...It is too much work to oppose the wrong and get the wrongs righted. One cannot do it without public support. People here dont care, they are lazy and settle for less.
If you want better move. It is the only solution for a place that will not get better.
True but an uneducated area with a high amount of poor dont think like the DC area. The poor and uneducated don't plan they settle for the crap the area has. They have no vision or even care beyond themselves.
Look at Virginia the area below the Maryland State line. Why is it also a ghost area, considering Rt. 13 runs right through it? Thousand travel that road every day? My point something is just wrong with the whole Eastern Shore.
It's a shame, i remember downtown Salisbury from long ago as such a fun and wonderful place.
Whoa whoa whoa! Joe, did you even screen this lunatic's post? He is talking about murdering cops! It is incredible what you let through on this site. Imclain- let me know ahead of time when you decide to snap so I can be out of town you psycho. You are a very hate filled person and I hope one day you find peace.
wish i could go too. can't afford to move because of re evals are so off. can't afford to stay, either.
i hate living here, place of my birth.
We moved to North Carolina and there downtown here is great free parking they spend there money wisely! The bridges and streets are new and kept up. They care about the kids we still have a skateland open everyday! There is tones of bowling alleys and play lands for the kids. The southern hospitality is great here. They old days when I was a kid thats how it feels here. I keep my doors unlocked and it feels like home. There is a piece of me a small piece that misses salisbury but its the salisbury i grew up in not this wack place now! We need someone with BALLS to run this place. The youth and trash have taken over this place. You need to do like they do here and drug test the unemployment recipients and the welfare i bet they will get off there butts then. Help the people with criminal back grounds get a job a second chance and maybe they wont sell drugs on the corner or robb the pizza man. Help each other and give this place a second chance because it is worse then baltimore. God knows how bad it is there thats why your seeing tornandos there and earhtquakes. WAKE UP PEOPLE BEFORE YOU HAVE NOTHING LEFT. WHEN THE MIDDLE CLASS AND POOR LEAVE THE RICH WILL KILL EACH OTHER FOR THE MONEY HAHAHAHA..
Joe Albero said..
"Mr. Mayor, on your last 3rd Friday, someone threw 8 eggs on my building. Come on down Folks and take a look at what locals are capable of. No real police protection."
Anonymous Said..
"My wife and I just yesterday drove down Main Street and both of us commented about how nice that building looks. The City of Salisbury should be paying you for making such an fine example of Downtown Plaza".
April 23, 2012 8:05 PM
Joe your story and comments are not matching up. You said it happened Friday night and I am assuming by your comment above that the eggs are still visible because you have invited the public to come by and look at what our locals are capable of.
This leads me to the comment from an Anonymous poster at 8:05pm on Monday night stating He and his Wife drive by on Sunday and were commenting just how beautiful your building is.Now if I had driven by and in fact there were eggs(as you say)on your Beautiful building I would have made a comment stating such. In conclusion I believe that we have a LIAR among us Joe and that LAIR is YOU.
anonymous 10:23, JR, nice to see you back here making comments. I guess you were too lame to spell out the word varification all this time.
Because you have chalenged me and are caling me a liar, I will put up a post later today showing ALL of the eggs thrown onto the side of my historic building.
No JR, I'm no liar. Now go back to work and make all those millions so you can go out and buy more used cars.
Hey Joe, maybe you can sell your building to John Robinson and finally rid yourself of that tax burden. It's well known that everything he touches lately turns to gold. I'm sure he'd be turning a tidy profit out of there in no time, instead of just letting it sit idle.
Joe do have any idea who or why someone would do this? It seems like something kids would do to me.
First of all I would like to agree with those who said Joe's building is the nicest looking best kept in downtown Salisbury.
Secondly I personally know of quite a few home sales in Salisbury that once owner occupied have been purchased for rentals. That's a big problem in the making when folks can not afford to purchase homes and the homes are being bought up by a few investors for the rental market as very few renters take pride in their rented homes and tend to be transients.
The lack of decent paying jobs to me seems to be the problem. Take the chicken processing plants for instance. Those working in them are making below poverty level wages and no way can afford to buy homes. Same with employees of retail chains like Walmart.
Wise Henry Ford used to pay all his employees well. His reasoning was he wanted them all to be able to afford the cars they helped to manufacture.
anonymous 10:41, John is welcome to buy my building but I doubt he can afford it. John likes to get 100% owner financing and I'm not stupid enough to fall for anything like that. I'm sure he'd do very well in that building and if he can find the oney he's welcome to buy it for the right price.
To the other anonymous 10:41, yeah, we have a pretty good idea who did it and she's being investigated.
the idea that the govt needs to keep up with the private sectors spending is rediculous.#broken.
WHy is it Imclain gets to post whatever he so chooses? He had a post on here that you made into a story and when I challenged it, without cursing, you of course would not publish it. Imclain is a total idiot and just tends to go on rants.
Crisfield,Maryland,is a prime example of other shore towns with the same problem.All the buildings on Main Street except a half-dozen are vacant and it shows.Yet just a few miles up the road,Princess Anne has a bustling and welcoming downtown area.....just observations.
Mayor doesn't have a clue, next time don't vote him back in! Complaining ain't worth crap!
I can't wait to see the animals come out and commit crime after crime at the Salisbury Fuxtival. What a joke. I wouldn't go down there unarmed!
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