Political Hit Jobs: Who really pays?

By Thornton Crowe

In recent months, those around the area have seen political games play out in the most unfavorable fashion. Mayor Jake Day and County Council President John Cannon have created much folly in our local government with their personal slams towards opponents, not to mention endless barrage of idiocy in their tactics to have their way.

It begs one to ask: Are they really looking out for their constituents? The answer is quite simply no. Why? Because it costs you, the taxpayers, thousands of dollars for them to employ their gaff-a-moment slamfest. Better yet, why do you, the taxpayer, allow this insane puppet show to continue at your expense?

For example, look at this nonsense with the Salisbury Fire Department. One would think it would be paramount to all the elected officials that their residents are covered in cases of emergencies. Fire, health crisis - all should be forefront of the mind of decision-makers. Instead, in a double team effort as per the Daily Times article from Friday, it would seem Day and Cannon have joined forces to thwart any solution to the never-ending fire department issue rather than being part of any amicable solution. Thus, they wind up being the nucleus of drama with no end in sight.


In said article, Day's snarky candor is quite stunning when he stated, "If he wants to breach the contract, the county executive will find himself in really hot water."

Does the mayor really want to go down that road? 

A month or so ago, evidence revealed that you and your predecessors have been in breach of your lease with the County for quite some time; never paying the money (approximately $1M) you own for your office space. So, are you talking about breaches like this? What kind of hot water would you be in should the county evict you and your clown posse from your downtown digs due to this default. By law, the County has every right to do so; therefore, would think you're hardly in any position to level threats against anyone. Why does that adage those who live in glass houses come immediately to mind?

As for Cannon and the above machination, it is a gross overstep of his boundaries because the agreement hasn't gotten to a level where his input is desired or required. He has jumped shark to divert voters attention from his failed Lewis expedition. Wasn't it just last week the world learned former Financial Director Leslie Lewis played him (and many others) for a fool with a giant lie; leaving the wayward County Council looking rather ridiculous with egg yolk on faces and all? Didn't that same fiasco cost you, the taxpayer, a nice $50K for a forensic audit based on one big lie from a malcontent bent on revenge? Nice duck and cover but hardly oblique.

Is this the new normal or is it time to start draining our own Delmarva swampland?

It would seem Day and Cannon are reveling in this power grab and are not producing any actual achievements for you, the taxpayers. Instead, they like to play House of Cards politicking while not serving the community - the reason they're in their positions in the first place. Everything they do at this point is suspect because we all wonder what's in it for them on a personal level. Their constant disingenuous antics has only promoted more suspicion not eradicate it.

If you really look at them, both are just spoiled sons of two of the area's socially elite class, who live their lives in their fathers' shadows; trading off their families' name and accomplishments instead of having anything of merit they created on their own. Hence, it's not surprising they're great mates and comrades given their obvious similarities in form and substance.

What Cannon and Day have proven to us is politicians are hardly 'party loyal' when they have common enemies and they'll stop at nothing, including using people, to achieve their end game. They will go after their opponent together with fervor while abandoning any responsibility they owe you, the taxpayer.

They're both big talking blowfishes with not much else to contribute to taxpayers' lives. They're balderdash is hardly finding young adults jobs, helping anyone establish roots here or put food on anyone's table. Heck, now you get the added bonus of wondering that should an emergency occur, would a fire truck or  ambulance even show up to assist you in a time of need.  No, they've much been too busy playing political hacks to be worried with such triviality or work together with all local officials to insure your safety and well-being.

At the end of the day, who really pays for their personality issues with others and inability to play nice in the proverbial sandbox? Why, you do, of course.