The Hearne Annexation, Bill Duvall & The Daily Times

One thing most of you know about me is that I don't normally agree all too often with Bill Duvall & The Daily Times. However, in this case, (other than name calling) I happen to agree with Bill Duvall on this morning's article on the Hearne Annexation.

As I have been working on something for several days on this matter, I'm glad to see the old Bill Duvall is back on track the way he used to write. Short and to the point. We tend to get this with the elderly as they feel they don't have much time left in life for the details.

Nevertheless, I too agree that everyone is going way over the top on this particular situation. The property was annexed with the intent for apartments, period. The words "Bait & Switch" keep coming about on this project and quite frankly that's not how it happened. The Developers never even thought of Student Housing when they purchased the property. Current conditions don't favor their original project and quite frankly no financial institution will finance such a project right now anyway. Everyone is tightening their belts right now with the belief the economy is NOT going to get any better any time soon.

Oh, some will argue that but in all reality there is only ONE person who started this rampage and that's Dot Truitt. She lives one the property's edge and will not stand for such a development. I was there when she & Comegys discussed this mater and Gary was taking it on like this was the ticket item he needed to go after a Developer and RUN FOR MAYOR!

That's right Ladies & Gentlemen, Gary Comegys is in fact going to run for Mayor. I got it through an extremely reliable source that Gary is in fact going to run for Mayor and he wants to use this tool, (although extremely stupid) as his ticket item to show he loves Salisbury.

Well Dee, Dee, Deeee, (I mean Gary/Bubba) when you and Dunn and Cathcart were voting to accept this annexation and Debbie Campbell was trying to fight it, what makes you think all of us are going to forget that? These Developers didn't trick you Gary. The ONLY trick I recall seeing was called Sasafras and Westwood, remember that, you Idiot? Now THAT was a trick! I don't blame Dot Truitt's attempt to salvage her investment locally but everyone also has to keep in mind that this is quite a large parcel of property and only a very select few will be impacted by such a project. As a matter of fact, I believe at the other end of the project there's already Government Subsidised Homes in place.

Nevertheless, by the letter of the law, (how do you like that language Billy) these Developers are zoned properly for these apartments and even back in the Work Session Gary Comegys stated he simply wanted a letter of support from the Council telling their disapproval of such a project. Now just what the hell is that going to do Gary? The City Council has no say any more about this project. YOU were the Idiot that pushed the project through in the first place and while Campbell was trying to get specific details put into place, You, Dunn & Cathcart were rubber stamping the project to force it through.

While we're on this subject, let's get a few things perfectly clear. Matt Tilghman has absolutely no say and or ties in this project and or with the Bank of Delmarva. NO, my attorneys didn't tell me to make that statement. I still think the guy is a puppet. Remember Frank & Hot Lips from M.A.S.H.? Now you know what I think of the Mayor and her Husband. On that note, the Mayor sent out a letter showing her undying support towards this project and IMO she is completely out of line. One of the principals of this Project is a V.P. of the Bank of Delmarva. Barrie & Matt Tilghman need to remove ANY opinion on this project as, (IMO) this is a conflict of interest.

Anyhow, here's a project at hand that, (IMO) is very close to the College and in which the College has already agreed to deliver three buses a day to this location to pick up and drop off Students. I'm also told the traffic impact will be at least 40% less than the originally proposed project as Students wouldn't be driving as often.

Some of the additional impacts I believe Debbie Campbell & Gary Comegys have forgotten is the impact on Schools. THERE IS NONE! In other words, this entire project has zero children impacting elementary, middle and high schools. It will additionally bring in a HUGE tax base for the City as this project is independently owned. Usually when projects have to do with the College there's no taxes collected. This project is NOT owned by the College.

They have agreed to do about $600,000.00 worth of improvements on Dykes Road & S. Division Street, adding a traffic light as well. The mere fact that this project brings Students together into a concentrated area makes it a positive idea. Removing Students from the Camden Neighborhoods helping to relieve the stress so many have complained about seems to be the right move. I was also told they went from 550 original units down to 411 units on this project location.

The City Council already made their decision on this project and their work is DONE! Gary Comegys has NO RIGHT, (IMO) to bring this to the table, especially AFTER the fact that he already supported the annexation in the first place with the language already stated. While I'm on that, allow me to state a sentence straight from the original agreement. "The aplicants have already met with the Board of Education regarding potential school impacts and have indicated that this development will target empty-nesters and retirees as occupants but will not be an age-restricted community."

Now I'm told there is additional language that may contradict this language but I have yet to see it. That being said, this agreement clearly states that it will not be age restricted and since it has been approved for apartments already, they may change it to Student Housing if they so choose.

I also believe if this were challenged in Court the property owners would be in the drivers seat. With elections coming up once again, some might want to look hard at this issue before running into place to jockey a position. The City Council needs to stay out of it and allow the Planning & Zoning people walk it through the system. Planing & Zoning doesn't tell the City Council how to do their job. Comegys needs to shut his mouth and not abuse his position any further.

I'm sure there will be more to come on this matter and I expect there to be some serious debate over it.