While the first thing out of people's mouths is usually, are you crazy. Then comes the big question, WHY would you run for Mayor in this political arena?While most of you have jobs, most do not have the kind of time it requires to be a Mayor of such a big City.
Then there's the business background necessary. We've recently proven that just because a young man speaks well and carries himself well doesn't mean he's Mayoral material. Of course I'm speaking about Mayor Jim Ireton.
One of the major hurdles every single person has been confronted with in years past is the absolute abuse some have taken from certain administrations. Threats, lawsuits, personal attacks, physical attacks, abuse to family members, jobs, you name it, it's been done .
I have been dealing with these abusers for 8 years now and guess what, their attacks on Blogs, their Peace Orders, their lawsuits simply roll off my back. Their biggest frustration is, they cannot stop me from ANYTHING I put my mind to. If I want it, I'm going after it and NO ONE is going to stop me.
If you think about that for a bit and relate it to YOUR personal life, do ANY of you really want to put up with their garbage? Can you really afford to fight their lawsuits? Do you have hundreds of thousands of dollars to WASTE on their petty charges? Yes, that's right, I have spent well more than $100,000.00 dealing with Salisbury lawsuits over the years.
Is it worth it? No, not really. However, I was raised to defend myself and I have always stood up for the underdog. Salisbury is loaded with a bunch of bully politicians who THINK their lives will end if they lose an election. Everything is either black or white and that's all there is to it in their eyes.
How unfortunate that we live in a society where so many people are in fear of local politicians. This weekend I met with Council Members, Delegates, Senators and even a congressman, all stepped up to the plate and thanked me for putting my name in the hat to run for Mayor of Salisbury. Each and every one of them pledged their support and asked if there was ANYTHING they could do to help my Campaign. You don't get that kind of support if your not an honorable person.
So let's get back to the key question, WHY?
I intend to run for Mayor of Salisbury because I'm sick and tired of politicians who use easy money to make it look like things are getting done. I'm sick and tired of politicians who aren't accountable for their actions. Some examples, the Salisbury Waste Water Treatment Plant. The old Mall. Developer reimbursements, Pipe stem annexations. Fire Boats. You know the drill.
We have a Mayor's Office, (are you ready) that now costs the taxpayers $500,000.00 a year in salaries alone, yet the Mayor only makes $25,000.00 a year. Can we cut back within the Mayor's Office, you better believe we can and you better believe, WE WILL.
If we continue to run Salisbury like we have for the past 15 years, there's no question in my mind Salisbury will fail. There's no real solid future plans for Salisbury. Just poorly planned patch work like 500 subsidized housing units in Downtown. Of course that also means selling off ALL of the Parking Lots in Downtown, (including very valuable waterfront lots).
So just what will we do when and if we revitalize Downtown Salisbury and there's so much traffic there's no parking left for the BOOM? My belief is, they aren't planning for any BOOM at all. Just lipstick on a pig. They want to get all that Obama money and do a quick fix. Quick fixes never last, every one knows that.
I want Hotels along the River Walk. I want specialty Shops and small boats taking you from one place to the next like a water taxi. I have shared my vision with hundreds of people and not one of them said, no way. Instead they had excitement in their eyes and their voices.
WHY, because I have a business background. I know how to manage people and negotiate huge deals. I have connections with investors from all over the country. I also have great connections with Maryland Politicians, hence the new sex offender laws created a few years ago. Salisbury is NOT a City to GIVE AWAY. I firmly disagree with surplussing those parking lots.
WHY, because I can work with the Council and unite them. I will respect the position as Mayor as an administrator, not a legislator. You see, that's been the biggest problem Salisbury has had to deal with for the past 15 years. The last two Mayors have bullied the City Council, while the Mayor has NO REAL POWER. They have trained all of you into believing they make the decisions, policy, that's just not true at all.
The Mayor simply manages the City and its employees. The Mayor hires and fires those employees, somewhat. Mind you, there are positions in which even the Council plays a roll in. Nevertheless, the Mayor has trained the citizens into believing it's their way or no way at all. I call them, bullies.
As your next Mayor, I will respect the power of the entire Council. I will bring forth ideas that will respect the property WE own and not give it away to people close to me or even support me. I will get the Council excited about a 30 year long Master Plan for the City. We don't need to hire Firms to figure out what Salisbury needs. I'll reach out to every citizen for their input and together we'll rebuild.
WHY, because Salisbury must be a safer place to live. Crime must become priority #1. We don't need more Firefighters. We need more Police Officers. The Fire Department has seen their 10+ years of glory, I plan on changing that, period. And I'm NOT afraid to put it out there. You elect me, you're going to know what you voted for.
This isn't about WINNING as if it were a Football or Baseball game, not for me anyway. This is a very serious life changing challenge for ALL of us. Democrat, republican, independent, I don't care what your party is, from this point forward WE are a TEAM.
Those of you who can't get excited about who I am and what I'm offering, I suggest you put your home up for sale and leave. For those of you who want to see a brighter future in Salisbury, please, forget party lines and let's seriously work together to make Salisbury THE destination location on the Eastern Shore. We may not be able to attract traffic like Ocean City but believe me, if we do this right we'll be darn close. Think San Antonio, Texas. Its right here at our finger tips. You either want it or you want subsidized housing units instead.
The choice will be up to each and every one of you. More to come...
