Like her or not, Louweasel may have stolen a march on Cohen and Campbell, as well as Ireton, by putting his “safe streets” legislation proposal on the agenda for a work session on January 27. How so, you ask – here’s why.
During the many months that it has been hanging fire, the package has become notorious for its flaws, and it has engendered significant opposition but remarkably little public support. Ms. Cohen and Ms. Campbell have come to be regarded as joined at the hip with Ireton in support of the package, of which the two women are regarded by many as the prime proponents of some of its provisions, including the phase-out of “nonconforming” apartment houses in the single-family districts. During the past summer and fall they pushed to get the package before the Council, and Smith refused to let that occur.
In recent months, as other City matters took precedence, it looked like the “safe streets” package was slipping below the surface. Apparently Louise does not want that to happen before this year’s City election, in which Ms. Cohen must prevail to retain he seat. It’s no secret that Smith despises Cohen and Ireton would love to stick it to them in the twilight of her tenure by retiring Ms. Cohen and derailing the Mayor’s personal political agenda.
By putting the “safe streets” legislation on the Council’s agenda, Smith has managed to shift the spotlight from such absurd Council actions as “the Bricks,” the fireboat and Linens the Week onto Ireton’s flawed and ridiculed “crime” legislation. And at the center will be Ms. Cohen and Ms. Campbell its most vocal and ardent proponents, who will be forced to remain on that course or, by altering it, looking like they are putting their personal agenda before the public interest.
This move could be decisive in the outcome of the upcoming election, as to all three seats not just that now held by Ms. Cohen, who could be forced to defend the legislative package as the other candidates pick it to pieces or remain noncommittal about it.
This appears to be a “win-win” for the Weasel and her SAPOA supporters – a truly brilliant move.
20 comments:
Mrs. Smith continues to be a slave to special interest(s) in Salisbury...The legislation as a whole is good, but perhaps could use some tweaking- hell, if SAPOA and co.had been interested in ANYONE'S opinion other than their own, they would have had a voice at the table...good WILL prevail!
I don't think Louise will have the last laugh. Cohen has said on many occasions that she did not support the legislation as it is written. How many times does she have to say it before people hear it? She has also said the zoning portion does not belong in the crime portion of the package. The person having the last laugh will be Paul Wilber since he and Cornbrooks wrote the zoning portion of the package. We'll see how this turns out. SAPOA would love nothing more than to hang this on Cohen instead of putting it where it really belongs, around the neck of the attorney that writes legislation protecting them in the past.
Terry Cohen needs to issue a written statement of her position -- not more than 250 words -- ASAP.
Anon 11:32 agree 100%.
Ireton's arrogance will bring down him and could bring down Ms. Cohen in this year's election.
Way to go, Jim-Beau!
It seems to be accepted that the majority of the residents of the City do not support the Safe Streets proposal as it is written. I think it needs more than "tweaking." Since Ms. Smith won't be putting it on a work session agenda, there won't be enough time left before the March 1primary to have Council vote on it. Mayor Ireton, as 12:16 points out, appears arrogant, since he seems unwilling to bend and have the legislation "tweaked." I guess, then, that the primary will come down to the positions each candidate takes on the Safe Streets legislation.
Ms. Cohen an Campball have been the foundation of this legislation. Ms. Cohen even went so far as presenting Power Point presentations at the 3 legislative sessions as well as neighborhood associations. To now say she isn't happy with the total package is just a ploy because of the election. Bottom line-the legislation has nothing to do with crime, and all to do with trying to rid the city of what the adminsitraion considers to be the 2nd class citizens of Salisbury, TENANTS.
It's a shame that Ireton didn't have the stones to stand up to Louweasel and imposed on Ms. Cohen to try to get his safe streets stuff moving. If he were not so arrogant he would pull it now.
Jim-beau:
Please Go!
Ireton = Obama
"Safe Streets" is his Obamacare fiasco.
1 p.m., I saw those presentations by Ms. Cohen, more than once.
They were data about where people arrested live and about tools to combat crime, including how does housing factor in. But none of it damned renters and none of those presentations endorsed the specific measures of the Mayor's package.
I also watched the meetings Cohen and Campbell had on this. They did disagree with some of what was said, but not about the legislation...just some of the wild accusations made by SAPOA, which by the way, was most of the "public" that attended those meetings.
Here's how I see it as a voter -- do I want a strong and experienced person who stands up for the people like Cohen or do I want to gamble on some unknown who might be the next Louise Smith?
The Mayor's "Safe Streets" package isn't the end all be all for Salisbury. Only SAPOA people want us to think that. Not gonna happen.
If Ireton=Obama I will be voting for him again.
What do you expect from wishy washy politics, a performance from the best!
1:00
Another SAPOA member heard from.
2:51
Well put.
Campbell and Cohen were the only two council people who wanted the public to know that the legislation even exists. They weren't pushing it from what I could see in the two public meetings that I attended. They said that it was flawed and that it needed to be looked at point by point by the whole council with input from everyone.
It's easy to see that Louise Smith, in step with her script writers, meant to keep this off the table until just before the elections, and then to use it as a weapon. Another Barrie Tilmanesque performance.
I got news for Louise Smith and her SAPOA friends -- I couldn't give a rat's behind about them trying to make Terry Cohen look bad with the Safe Streets whatever.
Cohen has my vote because, unlike Louise Smith, Cohen has worked her butt off to fight crime and wasteful spending.
The only people who seem to think that everyone will base their vote on whether candidates support this package or not are the landlords and Louise Smith. Maybe Jim Ireton too, I don't know.
Cohen is the fairest, smartest person to come on council (other than Debbie Campbell) to come on council in a decade or two. She's no politician and she politely tells it like it is.
You go, girl! You got my vote!
If you support back door deals and thousands of taxpayer dollars spent on writing legislation that is now being investigated by HUD as discriminatory, if you support the same poison rhetoric that has prevented progress in this city for over ten years, if you want to continue to see council meetings micro managed with an air of disrespect then vote for Mrs. Cohen and you will get more of the same.
I have never heard Cohen Or Campbell say anything other than they wanted the legislation brought up for discussion. That seems simple to me. For anyone to read anything else into the subject is nothing short of ignorant bashing. Maybe there are major flaws in the text. DUH. Maybe not. I disagree with some of it, but until it's brought up to the table, all points are moot, and since it affects no one, where is this ACLU type lawsuit coming from? Shanie? Is this your solution to the problem? Is Louweasel behind you as well as Gary? Really? Please bring this to court so we can spend taxpayer dollars top shoot down a baseless lawsiut! Bonehead.
Anon 6:02 you made me laugh so hard I cried. A bunch of lily white, fat cat landlords crying because they might have to bring those tenements up to code. Booo hooo hooo, cry all the way to the Green Turtle. Oh woe is me, I won't be able to buy jet fuel. Boo hooo hooo I have to spend money to bring the faulty electric up to code. Boo hooo hooo I might have to replace a severely leaking roof. Wahhhh wahhh wahhh I have to remove the black mold that is making my tenant sick.
Yeah, HUD will be investigating but it might not be what you want investigated. Sometimes it's better to shut your pie hole and live within the law like every other law abiding landlord and homeowner.
8:29, you tell 'em!!!
SAPOA's HUD lawsuit just might bring some former tenants out of the woodwork to talk about their landlords.
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