I have stated the following in ALL of my brochures and forums. I will work with ALL five Council Members, whomever they might be.
I think it is rude and foolish for Mayor Jim Ireton to make the above statement, (in bold). Just like we saw in the PACE Forum, clearly a select few Candidates were given the questions before the Forum. As I have stated to many since, I really don't care because I'd rather be questioned on the spot so the public can hear my spontaneous and honest answers without them being premeditated.
While I have your attention, I have worked tirelessly seven days a week going door to door. I have had incredible conversations with thousands of Salisbury Residents and I thank you for taking the time out of your schedules, (especially family time) to allow me to share my intentions.
To those of you to whom I was not able to reach, I truly have done my best to visit you personally, instead of a group of volunteers. I wanted to meet you face to face so you could look me in the eye and hold me accountable throughout my term as your next Mayor.
Over the past three months of door knocking I have had only 7 people tell me they were voting for Jim Ireton. Mind you, there are some 14,000 registered voters in Salisbury and I know I reached close to 7,000 of you on my own. I did so in the cold, the rain and three times in the snow. I did take one snow day off to shovel some driveways for those in need.
It has been an incredible experience and I am so humbled by the massive volume of people who showed their support on my behalf. Tuesday is a very important day for Salisbury. We need you to get out and vote. You have heard me say this many times throughout my campaign. "This is not Joe Albero's election to lose, it's the citizens' election to lose". We must come together Tuesday and make a difference.
I have spent the past 8 years defending the citizens of Salisbury against the local media who refuses to either tell the truth or only allow a 10 to 15 second sound bite about important information. How often have we sat back and complained about local media telling Delaware and or national news when there is so much going on locally. How often have we seen Salisbury News stories published elsewhere days after we published it. How often do we see sports and weather taking up the majority of broadcasts.
Have I been outspoken at times, absolutely. When you are passionate about what you do and spend seven days a week doing it, it becomes bothersome when other sources ignore important topics that involve our community.
Together we have reunited thousands of animals. We united the Salvation Army to an all volunteer organization and have broken record donations each and every year since. We have raised thousands of dollars through advertising and paid it forward by giving it back to the community.
I have proven skills that will help unite our Council. Jim Ireton has proven only to divide. He has pointed fingers and blamed others for his lack of ability to work together as a team.
Salisbury is truly at a crossroad. As I stated in the last forum, funny how all of a sudden Joe Albero gets in the Mayoral race and all of a sudden each candidate wants to ride the shirt tails of my platform. All of a sudden JOBS are important, yet they haven't been for the past 16 years. Jim Ireton held up a piece of paper with 5 companies named as newcomers to Salisbury since he's been in office. I immediately stated, you conveniently forget to mention the 80 companies that left while you were in office.
I'd like you to think about the following as well. You have only TWO choices for your next Mayor. One, a businessman who has multi-million dollar experience and the other who has never been in the private sector and knows nothing about business. Now think about this for a second. There are a select few who want to play Monday Morning Quarterback, yet not one of they stepped up to the plate to RUN for Mayor.
I have divided myself from my Wife and Grandson and moved to Salisbury just to run for a $25,000.00 a year job. We have sacrificed like very few in this Country ever have. I dedicated 8 years of my life to Salisbury with Salisbury News. There are NO special interests with Joe Albero. In fact it's quite the opposite. Those special interests are scared to death of Joe Albero because they know I care more about the citizens than anything else.
So here's what I'll ask of you. I'm asking you to please take the time Tuesday to get out and vote. I'm asking you to please encourage your Family, Friends and Neighbors to do the same.
If ANY of you know my Wife, you KNOW what I have given up for the past year. She believes in me and she knows I can do a much better job than the current and former Mayor.
I've NOT endorse ANY other Candidate because that is YOUR choice. You simply have my word that I will work with ALL five Council Members. I will not point fingers or blame others and I will bring every piece of legislation to the Council President, (whomever that may be) the day it is brought to me. NO MORE SURPRISES.
Happy Easter to ALL of you and please forgive me if I haven't made it to your front door. You have my word, I worked my fingers to the bone trying to get to you but unfortunately I wasn't able to reach everyone. I will be out Monday giving it my all to meet you in person.