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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Mayor And Media Attack City Council

The continued saga and saber-rattling by Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton and his cohorts concerning downtown revitalization remains filled with mistruths and unfair representations. We have the mayor and media attacking specific council members for not supporting the mayor's attempt to correct this issue. The mayor continues to label City Council President Terry Cohen, Council Vice President Debbie Campbell and Councilman Tim Spies as impediments to progress. This is absolutely ridiculous and is pure political theater.

Previous councils and mayors over the years have obviously failed to re-establish the downtown area. The problems with downtown existed prior to this council's term in office; however, it is easier to attack this council. Let's analyze several attempts at revitalization.

Urban Salisbury began as a volunteer organization created to accelerate and assist with the downtown revitalization. When this organization was slated for defunding, Urban Salisbury cited impediments to its success, including funding issues. So the council stepped in and was specific in directing city funding to events. However, Urban Salisbury sent a letter informing the council that it was returning the money and its doors would close. The council continued to provide funding for events through alternate avenues.

The council continues to support Urban Salisbury's proposed streetscape plan and vision. Do we blame the current council for trying to assist this organization, and for Urban Salisbury's lack of success?

The council was told all downtown space up to code is fully occupied and space that is not in compliance remains an impediment to revitalization. Over the past three years, this administration promised inspections would be conducted and all noncompliant properties would be brought to code; this has not been accomplished. Is this the current council's fault? Is this council responsible for this broken promise?

The revolving loan fund guidelines for downtown were changed to make the loan limit much smaller, at the request of the mayor. Then the diminished loan fund was identified by the mayor and council as an impediment. The council agreed to the concept of increasing the loan size again. Since then, the administration has failed to advance new guidelines. Is this the current council's fault?

The answer to all these questions is no.

This council, along with previous councils, supports downtown revitalization. Its decision to not support the mayor's plan was based purely on not meeting the criteria for success for redevelopment of the downtown area. The mayor is presenting a poor plan for downtown revitalization that is unrealistic. The council -- correctly -- will not support this.

l applaud the council on its courage and diligence, along with its consistent performance and on behalf of the taxpayers and citizens of Salisbury.

Bruce W. Webster

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bruce:

Bravo & semper fi!

Anonymous said...

Jim give it a rest. You know you are fighting a LOOSING battle.
Do something positive with your time here on earth.

Anonymous said...

Jimbeau:

Now you can call Mr. Webster the "Delaware Flogger"

Anonymous said...

This is a really good letter and I learned some things!

How to make someone sound like a naysayer? Present them with crap and then run to the press crying "they said no!"

Question: WHY has Ireton turned on his friends and now tries to convince the world they are the Anti-Christ?

I am asking seriously, because it just doesn't make sense to me.

Anonymous said...

Every single building on that downtown plaza is not up to code. That is a fact. It will cost a fortune to bring all the properties up to code and this isn't something that can be accomplished over night.

Anonymous said...

yeah jim! and stay away from chic-fil-A! we do not like ur type.

Anonymous said...

They are running scared , short time to go Laura , shanie , and of course Jimmie. By By ,my little friend.
Time to weed out the cancer of the city , No cure for HIV yet , but we can control this cancer.
Be careful Jimmie , make sure you use protection.

Anonymous said...

I agree with this writer. The mayor has acted like a jerk. His constant attacks on the three council members are just so much political garbage.

Anonymous said...

1:02 PM it's interesting you point out that Jimbeau treats everyone else like they are the anti-Christ. Guess what, Jimbeau left the Catholic Church and turned his back on them as well. He is the Anti-Christ.

Anonymous said...

That's what liberals do,if you dont agree destroy with any means possible.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy Boy should repeat his performance when he was on the City Council -- resign now!

Anonymous said...

Ireton is cut from the O'Malley-Obama mold -- a political con artist.

Anonymous said...

Jim give it a rest. You know you are fighting a LOOSING battle.
Do something positive with your time here on earth.

July 28, 2012 12:57 PM

What is he LOOSING? His pants, belt, the knot in his stomach?

When losers can't spell, they should not lose their cool, as if they are losing their mind.
I am just at a lost to explain all this loose talk.

Anonymous said...

My prediction, based on who is coming to council meetings all buddy buddy...Matt Drew will be the person who the monied interests will advance for Campbell's seat in the upcoming election. He is hanging witht he Chamber's incoming president, brad Gillis. They want a candidate, who like Jimmy and louise, will fool us with their promises and then, once in office, will break every promise they made.

Anonymous said...

Uh, 652, look out for the spelling police! They will hit you hard for "I am just at a lost to explain all this loose talk",

It's loss. Sorry, but you tried...

Anonymous said...

@6:52

Thanks to the Taliban Vice, Virtue and Spelling Police lol