Campbell, Cohen Announce Anti-Crime Legislation Public Dialogue Format

SALISBURY, MD – Wednesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Government Office Building in downtown Salisbury (125 N. Division St.), the public will gather for a public input meeting hosted by Salisbury City Council Members Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen to discuss the 2010 Safe Streets Neighborhood Legislative Package. The anti-crime initiative was introduced by Mayor Jim Ireton on August 2.

Campbell and Cohen announced that the program would begin with an overview of the legislation items within the package. They noted that Ireton planned to attend and was making city department heads available as part of a two-way dialogue to be held with the public.

“We want the public not only to provide input, but also to feel free to ask questions,” Campbell said. “Whenever possible, we’d like to be able to answer those questions right then and there,” she added.

Cohen said that the evening would be as finely tuned to the legislation itself as possible.

“We will have copies of the legislation on hand, but we also strongly encourage participants to read the legislation’s text ahead of time so that they can plan questions and comments on what the proposed laws actually say,” Cohen stated.

The meeting will also help to separate fact from fiction for the public due to the number of rumors and misunderstandings that appear to be circulating about it.

“Factual information is a powerful tool for citizens,” Campbell noted.

After the other three members of the council failed to provide a third nod of consensus for the meeting to be broadcast live on or taped for PAC14 using the city’s equipment in chambers, as is required by the council’s rules of order, Ireton used his latitude as mayor to make the equipment available. PAC14 will, therefore, be able to share a taped version of the meeting in a later broadcast. The city clerk will audio-record the meeting, as well.

“Although a number of citizens offered to videotape the meeting and are still welcome to do so, we appreciate Mayor Ireton making this service available to the public,” Cohen said. “This is a great opportunity for the public to hear a dialogue about a critical issue, rather than a one-way presentation or commentary,” she added.

The text of the various pieces of legislation can be found online at the city’s website, www.ci.salisbury.md.us (“Neighborhood Legislative Pkg.” link at left), or at www.OnYourSideSBY.blogspot.com. Hard copies may be obtained from the city clerk’s office by calling 410-548-3140.