Jim Ireton’s Respect for the Salisbury Taxpayer – Part 2

Giving YOUR Money Away to a Select Few

Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton LOVES to spend other people’s money.  OK, he’s a liberal.  Actually, Jim’s politics are somewhere to the left of Karl Marx.  Ireton has seldom seen a government program he didn’t love.  If Ireton is re-elected, AND if Jake Day is elected to the city council, Jim has a plan to spend some MORE of YOUR hard earned money. It involves re-developing downtown.
Ireton wants to sell the downtown parking lots for a song, subsidize them by waiving the capacity fees for water and sewer, and HOPE that Salisbury will somehow be re-born.
Does anyone believe that adding 500 “affordable housing units” downtown is going to re-vitalize Salisbury’s local economy?  Evidently Ireton, along with Jake Day, councilwoman Laura Mitchell, and councilwoman Shanie Shields do.

The “logic” goes something like this:

1. You build X “affordable housing units” downtown.
2. Businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and other retailers will RUSH to build stores.
3. Downtown will be MAGICALLY re-vitalized.
4. The world will be a better place.

Does that make sense to you?

500 Affordable Housing Units

OK, we sell off the parking lots, take EDU’s (water and sewer capacity) away from industrial development that could actually create jobs that pay a living wage, and 500 more housing units appear.  Do you think that businesses will then flock to downtown?  Ireton and his pals do.

Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, and Boutiques … OH MY!

Before a retail business decides to invest in a site they look at certain things, including traffic count and parking.  Would you build a grocery store based on a target population of less than 2,000?  Of course you wouldn’t!

But wait, wouldn’t people from outside the immediate area come?  Would they?  I live to the southeast of downtown.  There are at least  three grocery stores and at least seven pharmacies closer to my home than the downtown plaza.  Well, maybe the people who live over on the west side will come?  I can think of at least two grocery stores and two pharmacies that are closer.  Well maybe the folks from Newtown?  Maybe.  Where are they going to park?  Remember – Jimmy, Jake, Laura, and Shanie have sold all of the parking except for the parking garage.  Do you really believe that those folks from Newtown are going to walk across US 50 and then schlep their groceries back on foot?

OK, I’ll agree that one convenience store might succeed under the Ireton plan.

It’s MAGIC!

The notion that this will re-vitalize downtown, much less Salisbury’s local economy is too ridiculous for real comment.  Downtown CAN be salvaged.  It CAN be re-vitalized.  It just won’t happen by throwing subsidies at a few developers.

You need a solution that drives traffic.  Business people will then be willing to invest their own capital.  Look at Joe Albero’s plan.  It not only makes sense, it offers a REAL, free-market driven solution for downtown as well as a plan for the city’s entire economy.

Subsidizing residential development was a failure during the real estate boom!  Salisbury borrowed millions of dollars that were handed over to a select group of residential developers.  What did that yield?  Temporary construction jobs.  Subsidizing retail doesn’t yield jobs that pay a living wage.

The key is to allow development without unnecessary government interference.  The key is show potential employers - not just downtown, but throughout Salisbury – that the city will treat businesses, and residents, like valued customers.

Why can’t Jimmy Ireton learn from past mistakes; both his own and his predecessor’s?

Part 1 – Thrift Travel Inn

G. A. Harrison is a former editor of SBYNews and a regular contributor.  He also writes at the DelMarVa Observer.  This article was originally posted at the DelMarVa Observer.

Enterprise Zones Are Only Part of the Answer

Tax Credits Won't Lure Business If
City Remains Unfriendly to Business

SALISBURY, MD – Salisbury mayoral candidate Joe Albero says that enterprise zones are only ONE part of the answer in revitalizing Salisbury's economy. “I want to thank Gov. Martin O'Malley for his recent approval of an extended enterprise zone for Salisbury and Wicomico County. I just wish my opponent understood that tax credits are only a small part of the solution. As long as the city is governed by an administration that views business as merely something to be taxed, fined, and charged fees, entrepreneurs will be unwilling to invest in our city”

Business Expansion Held Up By Ireton Administration

 Highlighting the Ireton administration's attitudes towards business, Albero announced his candidacy on January 8^th at a local contracting business where the city has held up an expansion for over a year. “With all else being equal, enterprise zone tax credits can be a deciding factor in a city's favor. Unfortunately, when you are already faced with Maryland's generally unfriendly business environment along with the Ireton administration's bureaucratic brick wall, an enterprise zone (by itself) will not lure new businesses to Salisbury nor will it encourage our existing businesses.

“The city should lend a helping hand to business, not hope that tax credits will attract investment by itself. Jim doesn't even understand what enterprise zones are for. Enterprise zones were designed to provide businesses with an incentive to invest in blighted areas. He thinks they are a means for controlling 'sprawl'. The 'Crossroads of Delmarva' truly is at a crossroads.”

In response to Gov. O'Malley's approval of the expanded enterprise zone, Ireton stated, “As Salisbury grows, this designation will become even more critical to reducing sprawl and revitalizing our downtown and our city’s most historic areas.”

Albero believes that the city and its residents are best served by providing an environment that attracts employers and expands the tax base rather than raising tax rates. Ireton proposed a rate hike in his last budget. The tax hike was rejected by the city council.

Kent Planning Commission Pans PlanMaryland

CHESTERTOWN, MD - The Kent County Planning Commission isn't happy with Gov. Martin O'Malley's "PlanMaryland" and said as much, politely, in a three-page comment letter sent Aug. 4 to the Maryland Department of Planning.

The main bullet points were:

"Growth or lack thereof in several areas of the state is not directly related to sprawl emanating from the Baltimore and Washington corridor ... not all areas of the state are facing rapid growth."

And, "The plan states ... many farmers find selling their land for development is more lucrative than farming. This picture of the farmer waiting to sell out is misleading. ... In our region, few farms are sold, and those sold are generally purchased by other farmers wishing to continue ...."

The letter also noted there are many partners at all levels in land preservation and the section about land preservation does not reflect that reality.

READ MORE …

O’Malley Faces Tough Sell on Land Development Issues

OCEAN CITY, MD - Gov. Martin O'Malley's broad strategy to revamp land development rules across Maryland met harsh criticism Friday, as local officials worried that the governor's proposal would interfere with their ability to plan and pay for schools, roads and housing.

In a discussion with local leaders at a Maryland Association of Counties conference, the Democratic governor sought to sell his new program, which has been in the works for three years. He said it would protect farms and woodlands, and would designate targeted growth areas — saving the state billions by concentrating development in areas already served by roads, sewers and other infrastructure. Localities that don't comply could lose crucial school construction, road and wastewater funding.

"This is not a straitjacket," O'Malley told reporters. "This is not a law that prohibits counties from making stupid decisions. But we're not going to subsidize it anymore."

But some local officials criticized the proposal in what was at times a testy exchange with the governor. They complained that the plan to link local aid to compliance with statewide goals would take authority away from localities, which typically control what can be built and what should be protected within their bounds.

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Lewes-area Contractor Seeks County Approval After 12 Yrs.

GEORGETOWN — Joseph Mocci of Lewes has been operating an excavating / contracting business on a 4-acre parcel along Wil King Road for the past 12 years in violation of county zoning that prohibits commercial businesses in a general residential zoning district.

Now he is attempting to secure a conditional use to continue operation of Joseph R. Mocci Co. Inc. During a July 14 public hearing in front of the planning and zoning commission, Mocci got an earful from his neighbors as they complained about excessive noise, large trucks and even a barking dog. Some nearby residents said they have been awakened by truck noise before 6 a.m., which Mocci said was impossible because he is not there at that time.

Planning and zoning commissioners deferred on a decision at the July 14 hearing. Sussex County Council has scheduled a hearing for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2.

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Commercial Center in Works for Rout 1

REHOBOTH BEACH, DE - A 10-acre parcel off Route 1 north of Rehoboth Beach has been given preliminary approval for a future retail center.

Chris Corrado, owner of the property - which includes Tomato Sunshine, south of Holland Glade Road - said he is currently in talks with large corporations, but no leases have been signed at this point.

"There's not much more to say other than we've received preliminary approval," Corrado said. "We are beginning the process with the Delaware Department of Transportation, but no one has leased the land yet."

The land is zoned for commercial use and the project received preliminary approval from county planners April 28. It consists of four parcels, totaling 10.31 acres, said county planning officials. The project would encompass the land where Tomato Sunshine sits and extend east along Holland Glade Road.

READ MORE …

Cannery Village Residents File Complaint With Delaware AG

MILTON, DE — A group of Cannery Village residents has filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office claiming they are being wrongfully charged for maintenance in the community.

Concerned Citizens of Cannery Village, more than 150 residents, about 57 percent of all residents, have donated to the cause or signed documents in favor of the complaint.

Jason Miller, spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office, confirmed complaints have been received, but he could not comment further because an investigation is ongoing.

The Consumer Protections Unit in the Attorney General’s Fraud and Consumer Protection Division will review the complaint to determine if there is anything to take action on, he said.

In the complaint, the residents claim the developer, Chestnut Properties LLC, is charging them for unnecessary costs, while not contributing its portion. They also claim that because the community lies inside Milton town limits, they are being charged twice for snow removal and the cost of street lighting through taxes and additional charges from the developer.

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UD Hopes to Receive Additional $7 Million

Much of the former Chrysler assembly plant now looks like a giant concrete slab, dotted with piles of scrap metal and rubble.

The University of Delaware has owned the property for more than a year and half, and most of the old buildings have been torn apart and hauled away in dump trucks.

But today, the university hopes to take one of the first important steps toward making the area look like something more than a demolished industrial site.

At the monthly meeting of the Council on Development Finance, Alan Levin, director of the Delaware Economic Development Office, plans to recommend awarding UD $7 million from the state's strategic fund.

The funds will prepare the site for the arrival of Bloom Energy, the California-based fuel-cell maker planning to bring as many as 1,500 jobs to Delaware. The money also will help provide the rest of the site with the roads, sidewalks, traffic signals, drainage systems, gas, water and electric lines to draw future tenants.

READ MORE …

Johnson’s Term on Sussex Planning Commission Expires

GEORGETOWN, DE — Although Mike Johnson has been elected vice chairman of the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission, his term expired June 30, and county council has not reappointed him.

Johnson, who lives in Georgetown and represents District 2, was first appointed to the commission in 2005. District 2 Councilman Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown, said he has not made up his mind on Johnson’s re-nomination. “I want to wait awhile to make my decision, and in the meantime he can still serve,” Wilson said. “I want to do what is best for the public.”

Known for his colorful post-it-notes containing comments and questions attached to public hearing documents, Johnson is considered one of the most dedicated commission members.

Johnson is assigned applications in the Georgetown area and in the Cape Region, where most of the development has occurred since 2005.

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Town Intends to Purchase Chestertown Marina

CHESTERTOWN - The town has begun negotiations to purchase the Chestertown Marina.

At a closed session of the Mayor and Council June 20, the council voted 4-1 to make an offer for the marina and two connected pieces of property, all of which are owned by Roy Kirby, Jr. In addition to the marina, the offer includes the adjacent parking lot and a strip of land on the south side of Front Street, between Cannon Street and Wilmer Park.

The Fish Whistle restaurant, which Kirby also owns, is not included in the property the town is offering to buy.

The town's non-binding letter of intent, dated June 22, makes an initial offer of $2,070,000. The offer matches the property's appraised value as determined by the Greenlee Group, an Easton real estate appraisal firm specializing in waterfront property.

READ MORE …

Wal-Mart Coming to Denton

DENTON - The news most everyone in Caroline County has been waiting for has finally been confirmed. Wal-Mart is coming to Denton!

The mega-merchandiser made it official, issuing a press release earlier this week that groundbreaking will begin on a Supercenter during the week of Sept. 19.

"Wal-Mart is excited to begin the construction of this Supercenter site in an effort to bring greater development to Caroline County, offer quality jobs with good benefits and a variety of goods at our everyday low prices to those in the community," said Mary Wilson, Maryland Market manager of Wal-Mart, in a press release. "We look forward to partnering with elected officials, community leaders and surrounding businesses to help address the needs of the local community."

The Supercenter is set to open next summer at 610 Legion Road, Denton, near state Route 404.

READ MORE …

Sailwinds Development Gets Design Submissions

The Maryland Department of Transportation received submissions from developers or development teams to design, entitle, finance, construct and market the 11.77-acre waterfront mixed-use development at Cambridge Marine Terminal / Sailwinds Park, said Katie Parks, assistant director of the MDOT Office of Real Estate.

MDOT issued a Request for Qualification on May 4 seeking a developer or development team to develop the property, where city and state officials envision a multi-use development of retail shops, restaurants, a small hotel, residences and a public park.

Several developers showed interest in the Sailwinds Park property during a May 16 site visit, a May 23 pre-submittal meeting and three question-and-answer meetings throughout May and June, during which local and state representatives answered questions and developers learned more about the state's process on the project's progression and about the vision for the property. The RFQ statements were due June 30 to MDOT's Real Estate Office.

"We will be moving to the next step in the process," said Parks. "The state, in collaboration with the city of Cambridge and Dorchester County, will be reviewing the qualifications and selecting a master developer or development team for exclusive negotiating purposes and that will most likely be this fall."

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Deep Valley Farm Receives Preliminary Approval

Developers of Deep Valley Farm, a subdivision near Five Points, moved a step closer to reality after receiving preliminary approval on a revised plan from the county’s planning and zoning commission.

The commission voted for approval at its June 23 meeting.

Developer Cedar Creek Properties LLC was able to revert to its original plan with 192 lots on 88 acres following a decision by transportation officials to release a section of property taken by the Delaware Department of Transportation for road realignment. Seven lots were removed from the plan, which was approved July 15, 2009.

READ MORE…