Mayor And Media Attack City Council

The continued saga and saber-rattling by Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton and his cohorts concerning downtown revitalization remains filled with mistruths and unfair representations. We have the mayor and media attacking specific council members for not supporting the mayor's attempt to correct this issue. The mayor continues to label City Council President Terry Cohen, Council Vice President Debbie Campbell and Councilman Tim Spies as impediments to progress. This is absolutely ridiculous and is pure political theater.

Previous councils and mayors over the years have obviously failed to re-establish the downtown area. The problems with downtown existed prior to this council's term in office; however, it is easier to attack this council. Let's analyze several attempts at revitalization.

Urban Salisbury began as a volunteer organization created to accelerate and assist with the downtown revitalization. When this organization was slated for defunding, Urban Salisbury cited impediments to its success, including funding issues. So the council stepped in and was specific in directing city funding to events. However, Urban Salisbury sent a letter informing the council that it was returning the money and its doors would close. The council continued to provide funding for events through alternate avenues.

The council continues to support Urban Salisbury's proposed streetscape plan and vision. Do we blame the current council for trying to assist this organization, and for Urban Salisbury's lack of success?

The council was told all downtown space up to code is fully occupied and space that is not in compliance remains an impediment to revitalization. Over the past three years, this administration promised inspections would be conducted and all noncompliant properties would be brought to code; this has not been accomplished. Is this the current council's fault? Is this council responsible for this broken promise?

The revolving loan fund guidelines for downtown were changed to make the loan limit much smaller, at the request of the mayor. Then the diminished loan fund was identified by the mayor and council as an impediment. The council agreed to the concept of increasing the loan size again. Since then, the administration has failed to advance new guidelines. Is this the current council's fault?

The answer to all these questions is no.

This council, along with previous councils, supports downtown revitalization. Its decision to not support the mayor's plan was based purely on not meeting the criteria for success for redevelopment of the downtown area. The mayor is presenting a poor plan for downtown revitalization that is unrealistic. The council -- correctly -- will not support this.

l applaud the council on its courage and diligence, along with its consistent performance and on behalf of the taxpayers and citizens of Salisbury.

Bruce W. Webster