As They Should Have Done

Council cancels fireworks funding
City won't provide $5,000

In today's Daily Times Sarah Lake, (once again) sided with the Mayor and only told a portion of the story. Trust me, she raced out of the Council Chambers to get the quotes from the Mayor that they published in the heat of the moment.

However, I can tell you after numerous conversations with Mike Dunn, he was completely under the impression Ireton was talking about funding from the 2013 Budget and not the 2012. When I confronted Mr. Dunn last night he seemed to be floored that I was actually correct. It was not necessary because they already have enough money to pull off this years event.

Now, yesterday I put up a Post stating what Mr. Dunn had told me new numbers referencing their "goal". Well, in the conversation last week he said they had just over $22,000.00 but he had just collected and deposited another $1,800.00. This was nothing close to the numbers mentioned at the Chamber Luncheon. However, in today's Daily Times they stated Mr. Dunn has raised almost $30,000.00. The numbers keep fluctuating and quite frankly it's hard to determine who's telling the truth any more.

The Council shot it down because the money, (this year) is not needed, it's that simple. Mr. Spies made an excellent point. He said that when the fireworks was cut off several years ago we were in completely different times. Money wasn't an issue then like it is today and if they had cancelled it back then, how can they even consider it today. That is what I call being fiscally responsible.

"At a Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon earlier this month, Mayor Jim Ireton announced he planned to send this budget amendment to the council." Absolutely an untrue quote by the Daily Times. Let me prove it to ALL of you. PROVE this was published in the Daily Times article itself, it was not. Look, I was there and believe me, Ireton NEVER made any such suggestion and this is what I stood up to last night. Ireton told every one there that John Pick had found the money and asked others to attempt to match the $5,000.00.

“On the day after Memorial Day, this is a disgrace. First God gets taken out of council meetings, now the fireworks get sacked,” Ireton said Monday after the vote. “What’s next? Voting down Mom and apple pie?” Come on Mayor Ireton, grow up. This is exactly why no one can get along. I ask you, they have 100% of the funding to pull of this years fireworks, is this necessary to make such an attack or is this a sign of immaturity?

It's high time the citizens bring in a Mayor who understands what that role actually is. A business person who has many years of working together with their staff and doesn't throw these kinds of fits every time the Mayor doesn't get their way. I said it a few weeks ago. "I'd rather have 5 Council Members with their wisdom making the final decision than one Mayor." This goes for the Budget as well. The Mayor had his chance and quite frankly did a very novice attempt at delivering a Budget. Oh you can believe one thing. IF I'm elected Mayor the Council will be delivered a Budget in which they'll be so pleased with THEY will be making offers to give even more back to ALL employees. You see, if I'm elected Mayor, my Staff won't be seeing ANY pay increase unless every single full time employee in the City gets a raise as well. You Go, I Go! And believe me, I'll be looking long and hard at who needs to stay and who needs to GO.

Shanie said it best last night. We need to work together and unite and stop this bickering. Hmmmm, I wonder where she got that from. The old ways of running the City are about to disappear. The old ways of a partnership with the Daily Times is about to end. Keep this in mind Mr. Ireton. Joe Albero's name sells a whole lot more papers than Jim Ireton. Start thinking about who they'll actually support IF they want to stay afloat.

The Council made a fine and just decision last night. The Daily Times blows with the wind.