For Mayor, Choice is Clear – Joe Albero

Four years ago many, like us here at SBYNews, enthusiastically supported Jim Ireton to replace Barrie Tilghman as Salisbury’s mayor.  After years of division, derision, and wasting taxpayer dollars we all expected Ireton to accomplish great things.  It is unfortunate – for Salisbury and for Ireton – that little positive has occurred.

No one blames Ireton for the poor state of the national or state economies.  However, as other areas of the nation – state and local – are preparing for an economic rebound, Salisbury remains mired in the policies of redistribution and government power.  Businesses, the means to grow our local economy, are treated like second class citizens, or worse.  Citizens are having to pay for operations / projects – such as an expensive fireboat – after being told that all of the funds were coming from “grants”.

The most disturbing aspect of Jim Ireton’s term as mayor has been behavioral.  Despite our disagreements, many of us have watched in horror as Ireton has behaved like a petulant child whenever the council majority disagreed with him.

Enter Joe Albero.  It is doubtful that Joe Albero would have run for mayor had Jim Ireton lived up to half his promise.  Yet, Albero has worked hard to provide Salisbury voters with a clear, distinct alternative.

Don’t You Deserve a Mayor That Works As Hard as You Do?

Albero’s platform has been one of simple, common sense:  Salisbury needs a full time mayor who will work to improve the local economy.  The tagline above, taken from an Albero brochure speaks volumes.

While Ireton wants to raise taxes, Albero has a plan to broaden the tax base.  While Ireton wants the role of government to expand in Salisbury, Albero wants Salisbury’s economy to grow by providing services, not over-regulating.

You can throw millions of dollars at a problem, only to see the problem return soon after the money runs out.  Encouraging employers to move to Salisbury and encouraging existing businesses to expand creates jobs.  Home ownership increases.  Neighborhoods stabilize and improve.  Crime goes down.  The city’s overall quality of life improves.

The choice between Jim Ireton and Joe Albero is as stark as it is clear – Joe Albero should be Salisbury’s next mayor.

In District 1 – Cynthia Polk

The Salisbury District 1 council race is the toughest to examine.  Rightly or wrongly, many District 1 voters consider themselves the red-headed stepchild of Salisbury government.  For eight years they have been represented by Shanie Shields.  For eight years, little has been accomplished for the citizens which she is supposed to represent.
In an unusual twist, Shields has two opponents in the general election.  Cynthia Polk (who lost to Shields by one vote four years ago) and April Jackson tied in the primary.  This all but assures Shields of re-election, and District 1 residents of at least another 2 1/2 years of poor representation.
None here at SBYNews have been afforded the opportunity to hear all three candidates very often in this race.  The candidate forums have been a poor venue because candidates are given little time to respond to questions and usually fall back to platitudes.
Shields should not be re-elected.  Her record has been one of more strongly representing a few special-interests than in representing her constituents.  She has been almost hostile towards the city’s police department.  Her worst offense has been to claim that she wants civility on council.  She seldom hesitates to attack fellow council members Debbie Campbell, Terry Cohen or Tim Spies when they disagree with her.  It was Shields who actually shared the soapbox with mayor Jim Ireton to imply that the council majority were “racists” because they would not agree to building quarter million dollar apartments in one of the city’s worst neighborhoods (councilwoman Laura Mitchell simply stood in the crowd and applauded).  Shields even suggested that residents should engage in a racially-motivated riot.
That leaves voters with a choice between Polk and Jackson.  Admittedly, we have seen neither diverge on the core issues facing Salisbury.  Polk is a small business owner and we would expect her to be more business friendly.  Given that Salisbury needs to change its public face in dealing with business in order to improve the city overall, District 1 voters should rally behind Mrs. Polk.  Another 2 1/2 years of Shanie Shields on the city council is neither good for Salisbury nor for the good people of District 1.  Cynthia Polk affords District 1 AND Salisbury a chance to move towards a better future.

In District 2 – Campbell Deserves Another Term

In Salisbury’s District 2, Salisbury voters face another clear choice.  The issues, and approaches, are akin to night and day (forgive the pun).
For eight years Campbell has worked diligently to give citizens a prudent, fiscally conservative voice on city council.  She can claim credit for stopping two tax hikes proposed by incumbent mayor Jim Ireton.  The recent pay increase for city police officers – something promised for years – finally became a reality thanks to Campbell’s leadership.  Mundane actions, such as putting the city’s insurance out to bid, and sundry cost savings in other areas have saved taxpayer dollars and will continue to pay dividends into the future.  Debbie Campbell can be compared to a work horse.  She may not be flashy, but she gets things done.
Campbell’s opponent, Jake Day, is the mirror opposite.  Day’s campaign has been flashy.  Day has proposed grandiose schemes – some with merit, others not.  An informed voter can quickly sweep away the chaff and find an overriding theme: Day wants to return to the era of the “Dream Team”.  Day’s proposals harken back to the era of handing out millions in taxpayer subsidies to residential developers while the city moved to the brink of fiscal ruin.  It should not be a surprise that the same people who handed Salisbury over to a select few, and wasted tens of millions of dollars, are some of Day’s most ardent supporters and campaign contributors.
By giving lip service to consensus and civility, Day hopes that voters will buy into the meme that Campbell, et al, are the cause of the city’s woes.  However, if one attends council meetings and work sessions – something Day has rarely done – the objective observer knows that it is Day allies Jim Ireton, Laura Mitchell, and Shanie Shields who are the primary cause of discord and uncivil behavior.

Voters should be reminded that it was Ireton and Shields who literally stood on a soapbox and implied that the council majority were racists – while Mitchell stood nearby and clapped.

What concerns us most about Day’s campaign – and what will probably take him to victory tomorrow – is the fact that national special interests are pouring tens of thousands of dollars into promoting Day’s candidacy.  Equally as disturbing is Day’s denial that this has even occurred.  Voters should not trust a candidate who doesn’t hesitate to deny such an easily provable fact.
The choice in District 2 is as simple as it is clear: Does Salisbury deserve a council member who will work (albeit ploddingly) in their best interests, or does Salisbury want a slick, flashy candidate that will take it back to the brink of bankruptcy?  We hope that Salisbury chooses the former – Debbie Campbell.

Do Ghosts Count In This Election?

According to Jim Ireton, they must. This corner home that has been foreclosed upon and has been emptied out is the site of yet another Jim Ireton campaign sign. At the other end of the street is an empty lot with Ireton and Day signs. Looks like they keep putting up signs in areas no one can or will complain.

My Grandson said to me today, "At least it won't take Jim very long to collect his signs on Wednesday since there aren't many out there to begin with". I almost wrecked my truck. 

On another note, WBOC just had their noon broadcast and there was no mention at all of the elections being tomorrow. They don't want to say anything in the hopes of an extremely low turn out. When I did my Daily Times interview two weeks ago the new General Manager said, "Elections are the most important news we can put out". All I can say is, there was nothing in the Daily Times today about the elections, (so I'm told) and it looks like our local Media has proven to fail the citizens and those who have worked so hard for this election once again.

I Think It's Important You See This Message From Jim Ireton

"We need all hands on deck to win this, and to help our friends, Jake Day and Shanie Shields with their council races".

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.    

Daily Times Shows SBY Election Bias

The Daily Times seems hell bent on queering this year’s Salisbury mayoral / council elections just like they’ve tried every other time in recent memory.  Will they be successful?  We’ll know next week.

After a series of scandals destroyed what little credibility remained at Salisbury’s Daily Times, new publisher Tom Claybaugh and managing editor Michael Kilian faced a tough choice.  Change the paper’s ways or simply try to move down the same biased path that has cost them subscribers and readers.

All the News That We WANT to Print

To most of us, changing the paper’s ways is obviously the best path.  In an industry that appears to be dying, regaining credibility amongst readers is a good place to start if you want to rebuild.  The Daily Times can claim some good young reporters.  They’ve shown that, when allowed, they can provide good, accurate coverage of local news.  Alas, Claybaugh and Kilian have decided on a darker path.  Rather than report all of the news, the DT seems determined to only run stories which aid their preferred candidates.
How can I make such a claim?  Haven’t they run stories critical of Jim Ireton?  One!  Haven’t they run stories critical of Jake Day?  Less than one.  Who really cares that Day has a heavy foot?  I’m not claiming that the DT has savaged Joe Albero or Debbie Campbell.  They haven’t.  That’s the Daily Times of old.  Besides, like Katherine Crowell four years ago, I don’t believe that Jeremy Cox would allow his name to be put on pieces that are riddled with lies and innuendo.  No, the DT is playing the stealth game.
Where is the story on Joe Albero’s economic development plan?  Where is a thoughtful analysis of Jake Day’s slick manifesto (which you can’t even download from his site anymore)?  Where is an analysis of Jim Ireton’s attempt to raise taxes (more than once) while he claims that he never raised your taxes (technically accurate, but worth at least four Pinnochio’s over at the WaPo)?  Where is the story about Ireton and Day’s lack of basic math skills (how do to add 500 residential units downtown, plus commercial space when you have less than 100 available parking spots (after you have sold off all of the riverfront lots – which has merit – plus Lot 1 between the library and the plaza?).  WHERE is the story about national real estate interests doing a mailing for Jake Day?
They’re no where to be found.  Why?  Mr. Kilian doesn’t want the public to learn too much about the candidates running for office.  If they did, the DT’s favored candidates wouldn’t stand much of a chance.  Unfortunately, things are worse on the op-ed side of the shop thanks to Mr. Claybaugh and op-ed editor Susan Parker.

WE Decide the News, WE Decide YOUR Opinion

Have you bothered to ask yourself why there haven’t been many letters to the editor in support of Joe Albero or Debbie Campbell?  The answer is simple … the Daily Times won’t print them. 
I’ve only been sent letters regarding Mrs. Campbell’s race, but it seems that they are (almost) all too long, too short, too critical of Jim Ireton, too critical of Barrie Tilghman, too critical of other council members, too critical of the weather, printed on the wrong color paper or using the wrong type of ink.  NOW (from Monday’s paper) …

In other words, we will print your letter to editor IF it doesn’t talk about ANY issue other than the issues WE (the DT) deem worthy of having an opinion about.  Now, it’s the op-ed page.  They certainly have a right to print whatever they want.  Just don’t claim to be the voice of the community.
So… here’s what you can expect between now and Friday:

Dear Editor,
I’ve known Jake Day since he was at James M. Bennett HS.  He planted a garden.  He’s a good guy.  He went to some fancy schools.  He’s in the Army.  He’s a nice guy.  He has lots of ideas but I can’t talk about them because Jake doesn’t want the voters asking too many questions about the cost.
Signed – Someone who probably doesn’t live in Salisbury.

Messrs. Claybaugh and Kilian can be very proud of the business they are running into the ground.
G. A. Harrison is a former editor of SBYNews and a regular contributor.  He also writes at the DelMarVa Observer.  This article was excerpted from his Media Monday column.

Is Salisbury for Sale?

AVAILABLE After April 2nd
Small City, Population 30,000+
Waterfront Opportunities Available
City Government willing to SUBSIDIZE Real Estate Development
Contact Jake Day

That’s the REAL message that showed up in voters mailboxes yesterday in a mailer from the National Association of Realtors.

When was the last time that a NATIONAL Political Action Committee got involved in a LOCAL race in a city the size of Salisbury?
If you read Salisbury council candidate Jake Day’s “plan” the reason is clear – Day’s “solutions” for Salisbury’s local economy are focused almost exclusively on DOWNTOWN and on SUBSIDIZING RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.
Is Jake Day channeling the political corpse of the previous Salisbury administration?

• Developer Reimbursements
• Failed TIF’s
• FREE or SUBSIDIZED Capacity Fees

Are Day and his backers hoping that putting a NEW FACE on an OLD PROBLEM will make voters forget that they are still paying for past mistakes and that Jake Day wants the Salisbury taxpayer to DOUBLE DOWN?

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.

With ALL Due Respect Salisbury Chamber Of Commerce...

Salisbury City Council demonstrates it's "business friendly"...or is it ?

City Council is also proposing a so-called "lockout ordinance." This proposal would give the city's police chief the authority to respond to repeated crime reports by shutting them down for up to a year. The chamber supports the great job Chief Barbara Duncan has done thus far for the City of Salisbury. However, to empower one individual with the right to close businesses affecting the city tax base, employment, and livelihoods is very disturbing to say the least. As few as two separate reports within a two year period could trigger a hearing to determine whether the property should be closed down by Chief Duncan. The Chamber respectively requests that the City Council "step back and reassess this proposal" in greater detail before enacting. Our position is that this proposed ordinance would present an anti-business smear on the city that would take even more years to erase.

Publishers Notes: To Whom It May Concern,

I find it very alarming that this message went out to all Chamber Members based on a massive inaccuracy. 

It should be made very clear to ALL Chamber Members, the business community and residents that the "City Council" had NOTHING to do with this Ordinance. 

The Ordinance was created by none other than Mayor Jim Ireton. Mayor Ireton presented it as something Chief Duncan authored but I have spoken directly with the Chief and she has assured me she had NOTHING to do with it. 

To imply that this has anything to do with the City Council is just flat out WRONG. ALL proposals delivered by the MAYOR are to be CONSIDERED by the Council. 

I have made it VERY clear, once elected, should this Ordinance come across my desk as it is written I will VETO it immediately as it is extremely business unfriendly and I'll not tolerate any such language. We have laws on the books right now that can combat any such mentioned problems. To expand upon what is already there, (to me) is something I will not tolerate.

The City Council is NOT "proposing" anything. Mayor Ireton has proven he is out of CONTROL. Nevertheless, the Chamber needs to correct the language above and put the emphasis on Mayor Jim Ireton instead. 

You can see Mayor Ireton discuss this issue at around 48 minutes into this video.

Is Jim Ireton REALLY a Part-Time Mayor?

Yesterday we highlighted Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton’s interview on Delmarva Public Radio.  In addition to being scarily anti-business in his rhetoric, Ireton also made the following comment:

I get up every day and barrel at 110%.

Really Jim?  What do you “barrel” at?

For the moment, let’s ignore the debate as to whether a “part-time” mayor can successfully operate a $51 million enterprise (I believe the record indicates a big NO on that one).  Let’s ask two other questions:

1. Is Jim Ireton really a part-time mayor?
2. Is Jim Ireton really devoting the time he supposedly spends as mayor to making Salisbury a better place to live and to work?

If your definition of being “part-time” is spending one second or more per week, month, etc. to the job of being mayor I’d have to give Ireton a free pass.  However, IF (like me) you define the term as spending 20 – 30 hours per week at a task then the answer is clearly no.  This ties directly in to question two.

For four years, and particularly during the last two, Jim Ireton has spent a fair piece of his “mayor time” engaged in political grandstanding, partisan politics, and pushing an agenda that is not even tangentially connected to making Salisbury a better place to live and to work.

In August, 2011 Ireton took time out of his supposedly busy day to picket the Salisbury office of Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD).  He has time to picket, but not to sit down with city council and engage in civil, honest discussion of issues facing our city?  Did this make Salisbury a better place to live and to work?

In June, 2011 Ireton called a press conference to attack the city council majority for not backing his planned luxury apartment project at “The Bricks”.  In his press conference Ireton implies that council members Debbie Campbell, Terry Cohen, and Tim Spies are racists (sound familiar?) and intimates that racial discord could follow (with councilwomen Laura Mitchell and Shanie Shields cheering him on).  Ireton’s rantings before the press are numerous, and (sadly) legendary.  Do any of these things make Salisbury a better place to live and to work?

Ireton has travelled to Annapolis to lobby for issues such as gay marriage.  Unless Ireton has some undisclosed plan to make Salisbury a mecca for gay marriage (with the tourism dollars that would follow) we have to ask - Do any of these things make Salisbury a better place to live and to work?

Ireton has lent his name and the prestige of his office to a campaign to strip gun rights from our citizens.  Do any of these things make Salisbury a better place to live and to work? (Criminals will still get guns.  C’mon … They’re CRIMINALS)

So … what’s your definition of “part-time”.

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.

Get Your Yard Signs And Show Your Support

With less than two weeks left before election day, now is the time to start requesting yard signs. I can tell you I have hundreds of yard signs out there and I made sure I ordered plenty to keep everyone satisfied. However, I have unfortunately had to go back and replace many that have been stolen. 

If you'd like a yard sign, (or even a replacement) please contact me at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349 and we will deliver one to you right away. 

If you have any questions about my position on topics or issues you are welcome to contact me as well. 

Chicago Comes to the ‘Bury

Imagine you lived in a city carved up into little wards or districts.  Then imagine that your city council members are given “discretionary” funds to dole out for “projects” or to fix potholes and street lights.  It sounds like Chicago, New York, or Washington, D.C.  Well if Jake Day is elected to the Salisbury City Council, this is what he has in store for you.

Rotten Boroughs

Across the sea in Great Britain, they used to have “rotten” or “pocket” boroughs.  These were parliamentary constituencies (districts to us Yanks) that were, in effect, controlled by one person (or a small group of people).  The British wisely changed their election practices in the 19th century.

At last month’s Democrat Club meeting Mr. Day announced that if he was elected he (along with councilwomen Laura Mitchell and Shanie Shields) would re-visit re-districting and change the council to a seven member body elected from individual districts.  He had previously announced at the Salisbury Chamber / PACE forum that he supported a seven member council.  (NOTE:  this would occur REGARDLESS of who is elected mayor as charter changes cannot be vetoed.)

What’s wrong with that?  If you divide Salisbury into seven districts which are roughly equal by population you will have created FOUR rotten boroughs.  Think about it.  Salisbury would be governed by AT LEAST four districts where the total votes cast to elect the majority of council would be less than half (probably less than a third) of the votes cast to elect the other seats.

The facts are simple.  The current District 1 simply doesn’t show up to vote in city elections.  Neighborhoods such as Church Street / Doverdale, the Presidents and Princeton Homes don’t show up to vote in city elections.  Residents of Camden, the Park area, the neighborhoods along North and South Schumaker Drives – they show up to vote.  Yet – they will be effectively disenfranchised when it comes to city council representation.  It is easily conceivable that you will have council members (from a majority of districts) elected with fewer than 100 votes.  Some could be elected with fewer than 50!

Bottom line – a group like SAPOA could literally buy a majority of the city council ON THE CHEAP!  Is this YOUR vision for a better Salisbury?

Slush Funds

Day also wishes to give council members access to “discretionary funds”.  If you have ever lived in cities where this practice is used you know that this breeds corruption.  These funds are used to, in effect, buy votes.  In some extreme cases the funds are funneled to “projects” that do not provide service to residents but actually give the council member of piece of your tax dollars in excess of their salary.

Since coming out with this proposal at the Democrat Club he has been busy trying to put a little lipstick on this pig.  According to his Facebook page, he now claims:

Neighborhood Budget Prioritization

In writing the City’s operating budget and Capital Improvement Plan, 10% of Community Promotions, Neighborhood Services, Streets, Street Lighting, Sanitation and Parks should be allotted by number of households to each neighborhood of the City. At a community meeting held in each neighborhood, citizens will discuss and vote on priorities in the budget to be spent in their neighborhood. This process should determine how the apportioned funds are spent. Annual review can determine if the overall share to neighborhoods should be increased if this program proves popular.

While this sounds slightly better than advocating a slush fund for council members, Day is still calling for very small groups of people (imagine how many people will actually turn up at these “community meetings”) to determine where YOUR tax dollars are being spent.  In effect, Day proposes Balkanizing Salisbury.

The spending of your tax dollars will be determined by people who have no incentive to do what is best for the city as a whole.  Instead, we can expect horse trading for votes to spend money on projects that are only meaningful to a select few.  AGAIN – Is this your vision for a better Salisbury?

Making a Bad Situation Worse

Please don’t believe for one moment that this is an endorsement of the re-districting plan recently enacted by the city council.  I believe that their plan wasn’t particularly good for the city either.  Unfortunately, faced with threats of litigation from the ACLU I do understand why they came up with their plan.  It is my opinion that five seats, three by district and two at-large, was the best solution.  Unfortunately, that didn’t come to pass.

Compared to Day’s vision for the Federated Balkan Wards of Salisbury, the recently enacted plan looks almost perfect.  If Mr. Day sincerely believes that this type of governance is a good thing, might I suggest that he move to Chicago.

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.

Mayor Ireton Wants The Ability To Close Your Business Doors If Re-Elected

Why someone running for re-election would want to come out with an ordinance like Jim Ireton's "Lockout Ordinance" just before an election is beyond me but let me tell you one thing, business owners and property owners are outraged.

My phone has been ringing off the hook for days referencing this matter and if by chance you don't believe me, go to the Post below and click on the video interview with Jim Ireton and Don Rush. Go to around 48 minutes and start listening to Jim in his own words.

As a Mayoral Candidate I want to make this very clear to each and every one of you. IF this ordinance ever comes across my desk I will immediately VETO it as it is written. 

What does it say to our business community when a Mayor brings forth a law that says if you have TWO complaints/violations/nuisances in a TWO YEAR period the Mayor and Police Chief have the right to close your doors.

Mind you, would YOU ever consider investing hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars into a new business in Salisbury KNOWING that IF the Mayor and Police Chief got a bug up their tail for a particular business or they wanted certain parking lots, (for examples) that they could very easily close you down?

Outback was just cited for serving an under age person. IF this law was in place, they would be sweating bullets for the next 23 months worrying that IF they had another violation the Mayor and Police Chief could actually shut them down. WaWa has their own problems with patrons coming in after the Bars close with fights in their parking lot. Should they be shut down?

Mayor Jim Ireton is spreading the word LOUDLY, Salisbury wants to CONTROL you. In his interview he complains about businesses making too much money and they should pay the price. 

Look, I think the founding fathers of Salisbury knew what they were getting into when they started allowing businesses to open here. Throughout the years Salisbury set a tax rate to manage the cost of doing business and yes, sometimes it means you have to handle particular problems more so than others. 

Will Mayor Ireton then CREDIT those businesses that pay high taxes and NEVER use the City's services? NO, of course not. Will he shut down Salisbury University because of under age drinking and parties at the Zoo complex? NO. 

This is what you get when you hire a part time government employee who has never been in the business world. You get an individual who wants you to know, I'm the guy who says what you can and can't do and if your making too much money, you need to spread the wealth. 

So how do the residents who are voting fit into this. Well, if Ireton were to close Brew River, (for example) more than 100 people will be out of jobs. More than 100 people more than likely won't be able to FIND new jobs because NO company would be dumb enough to make an investment to open another restaurant knowing they could easily be closed. Sysco would be out hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The County would lose liquor sales. Now multiple those numbers to each business, (including Outback) and you'd see how much money we'd lose simply because the Mayor wants control because your making too much money. A hundred people would be booted out of their homes because they can't make the payments.

Have you ever read an article or watched a broadcast showing Salisbury being so out of control that we're forced to create such an outrageous Ordinance? NO! There's water front parking lots next to Brew River as well as Market Street Inn. Both have had recent complaints and all of a sudden Jim Ireton comes out with this Ordinance that was borrowed from the City of Baltimore almost  verbatim. Rather than take full responsibility for pushing this ordinance, Jim Ireton is now throwing his popular Police Chief Barbara Duncan under the bus. In my opinion, his intentions with the two mentioned water front parking lots are highly suspicious. 

View the video in the article below and scroll up to 48 minutes and see for yourself. Jim Ireton is out of control. 

"This is not Joe Albero's election to lose, it's the citizens' election to lose".

Business Through the Eyes of Jim Ireton

Last week, Don Rush of Delmarva Public Radio interviewed both candidates for mayor of Salisbury.  The contrast was startling.  While this was not candidate (and SBYNews publisher) Joe Albero’s best interview, he was relaxed and discussed the issues facing the city.  Incumbent mayor Jim Ireton was agitated, sarcastic, interrupted Rush numerous times, and let the world know that Salisbury is NOT a business-friendly community.

See the interviews below.  Ireton’s starts at about 29 minutes in.

Ireton claims great accomplishment.  Nothing is his fault.  If something didn’t happen it was because of the city council, specifically Debbie Campbell.  If businesses believe that Salisbury isn’t business-friendly, it’s THEIR fault, not the city’s.  Oh … and he PLANS to do lots of things IF he’s re-elected.

For every ten people that come to the city, five feel they’ve been treated OK. – Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton

What is most disturbing is Ireton’s attitude towards business.  If you make a profit, you need to pay more.  If the police have to come to your business TWICE in TWO YEARS, the city (NOT a judge) should be able to shut you down.  If you appeal, you have to appeal to the same person who already decided to close your doors.

If you are a businessperson looking to move to Salisbury and you hear the mayor sarcastically asking questions like, “Who made that profit?” or “Somebody’s making money somewhere.” do you think that Salisbury is a great place to do business?

Ireton states, “For every ten people that come to the city, five feel they’ve been treated OK.”  Ireton thinks that’s acceptable!  Do you deal with businesses who take the attitude that they only need to satisfy 50% of their customers?  If you are a business do you want to move to a city that takes this attitude?  If you are a businessperson in Salisbury, do you want to expand in a city that takes this attitude?

You don’t have to give away the store to attract businesses.  You don’t have to make Salisbury unsafe to encourage businesses to expand.  You do need a sea change in attitude.  Satisfying 50% of your customers is NOT acceptable.  Making Salisbury “more progressive” isn’t going to attract business.

Thanks to PAC-14 for providing the video.

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

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.

When You Don't Have A Record To Run On, This Is What You Do

"Last walk through on the street two of your signs were very prominent in the yard of the corner house, they have now like several of Debbie's signs vanished, hope you can get them replaced possibly found".

Yesterday I got a call from a friend I have know for a lot of years. He had been home most of the day but had to go out and run an errand. When he returned he noticed that one of my yard signs had disappeared. Since there are many of them on his short block it was easy to recognize. He went over to the property and found my sign thrown in the back yard. In its place was a Jacob Day sign. When he got home he found a Jacob Day brochure on his door. 

Yesterday I had the honor and pleasure of spending the entire day in Sleepy Hallow. Talk about an incredible experience. As I started off I had noticed two people in front of me. By the time I hit the third home the owner said, you know that's your competition right in front of you. I replied, REALLY, is Jim actually out campaigning. He replied, no, he has volunteers and we got into an argument with them. They insisted I let Jim come back and speak to me face to face, I said no. They then said, well can we at least get him to call you. He replied, no. Isn't there anything we can do, NO. 

As I continued door to door I kept hearing more and more of this and every home with the exception of TWO in that entire development stated they were voting for me. The funny part was, Jim's volunteers gave up and left that community after about an hour. 

I want to Thank ALL of the homeowners in Sleepy Hallow for being so welcoming. Pretty much everyone was home yesterday and everyone was kind enough to allow me to share my platform. 

As for the signs, my signs are disappearing everywhere. That's OK, I'd rather have the incredible percentage of people supporting me in the voting booth then worry about childish behavior from a select few because they don't have a record to run on.

Are You As Smart Or Smarter Than This 12 Year Old?

Two days ago WBOC came to me for an interview to discuss my announcement/press release on my new Economic Development Plan. During the interview we discussed many of the topics of my plan but when it aired the other night the end result was simply, unreal.

Immediately following the aired interview my phone rang and it was my 12 year old Grandson. He said, "Grandpa, how come they showed more of Jim Ireton in the interview than they did you"? He went on to say, "Mayor Ireton has had four years to get his stuff done, why didn't he get it done"?
 
So I ask all of you, are you smarter than this 12 year old? View video below. 

By the way, notice how Ireton has changed his tune and is now only talking about riverfront parking lots. His proposal includes a 500 affordable housing unit project, which includes ALL of the City owned parking lots.

Is Salisbury Next?

What has happened to once great metropolises like Detroit and Atlanta is a glowing testament to the failure of a half-century of progressive social policies that have turned much of the nation’s urban landscape into crime-infested areas more resembling bombed out war zones than thriving American cities.

Please get out and VOTE on April 2nd. There needs to be a change of guard as we have seen and experienced enough over the past 16 years. Let Governor O'Malley and Annapolis know there's a new Mayor in Town. Tell Ireton we don't want 500 Affordable Housing Units Downtown.

Look Out Jim Ireton, Joe Albero Is Being Taken VERY SERIOUSLY

Wow! You must be doing something right. Congrats! Your content on SlideShare has over 10,000 views. That's quite an accomplishment. People like your stuff, so we'd like to encourage you to keep on sharing!

10,000 VIEWS

My Economic Development Plan Slide Show now has over 10,000 views. Thank You Salisbury!

Just as I proved to the Greater Salisbury Committee in their Forum this week, don't think for a second Joe Albero doesn't know how to run a business successfully. I did just that for many years and did well enough to retire at 40 years old.

Salisbury needs a FULL TIME MAYOR. You cannot run a $51,000,000.00 business part time. You can not know your customers wants and needs, part time. You can not build your customer base and or service, part time. You can not know your employees and departments heads and what they are doing on a daily basis, part time. You can not manage your $51,000,000.00 a year budget, part time. 

Joe Albero will be your FULL TIME Mayor immediately after taking office. Join the hundreds of people who have placed a Joe Albero for Mayor Yard Sign in your yard. Join my Team and lets really show every one just how successful we can be together. Remember how we, (you and I) came together with the Salvation Army and pulled off the impossible. In a matter of days we, (you and I) took them from paid bell ringers to an all volunteer organization, let's do it again with Salisbury. I need your vote to make this a success. Please get out and vote on April 2nd. 

GO HERE to view the Post referencing my Economic Development Plan. 

Campaign Yard Signs

Not only are my signs disappearing all over the place, some are getting pulled up and laid on the ground. Others are simply disappearing. In the images above they are even going so far as throwing them onto this Delmarva Power fenced in lot. We have even been told they are pulling signs from one house and putting them back up on properties that didn't give permission to place them on. 

When you don't have a record to run on, this is what they do. 

Mobile Albero For Mayor Signs

Don't be surprised when you see more and more of these driving around Salisbury. Salisbury residents and businesses want the right kind of change and know I'll deliver just that. 

It's time for a FULL TIME Mayor. Anyone who believes they can run a $51,000,000.00 a year business PART TIME is out of their mind. You can't manage that kind of money, please your employees, manage your employees and GROW your business on a PART TIME basis. You can't truly understand the wants and needs of your customers and employees on a PART TIME basis. 

I, Joe Albero, commit to Salisbury residents and businesses that I will be your first FULL TIME Mayor. I'm going to go to other business communities and share the advantages of relocating here to Salisbury. Believe me, there are massive advantages. After all, I relocated my business to the Eastern Shore because of such advantages and being so close to the Beach. 

As we stated last week, "Don't you think you should have a Mayor that works as hard as you do".

Here's the key though Ladies & Gentlemen, I need you to get out and VOTE on April 2nd. YOU do YOUR part and I'll do MINE. Let's show Annapolis that Salisbury can make an immediate turn around. Its time we take pride in Salisbury again. A great start is proving we care enough to get out and VOTE.