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Thursday, October 11, 2012

Mayor Ireton Follows My Lead, Sort Of


Mayor Proposes Parking Discount Helping Employers in Downtown Salisbury

At their meeting on Thursday, October 4, 2012, the Central City District Commission (CCDC) voted to recommend that the City Council approve a proposal from the Mayor to provide parking permit discounts for downtown businesses purchasing multiple permits.  The Mayor’s proposed parking incentive plan for downtown businesses is tiered based on the cost of the permits, as detailed below:
Parking Permit Discount Schedule
Lot Fees
Discount
Lots over $30.00
$5.00
Lots over $20.00
$4.00
Lots over $10.00
$3.00
Lots under $10.00
$2.00

Based on the proposal, downtown businesses will pay the normal rate for the first permit and then enjoy a tiered discount on each additional permit purchased, as outlined in the above discount schedule.  This will be a savings to local business of $39,300.00 based on the number of permits purchased for downtown parking. There are 75 businesses that are currently purchasing permits that stand to receive this discount.

Catrice Parsons, Director of Procurement and Parking and a member of the CCDC board said, “Approving the proposed Parking Permit Discount Schedule should improve relationships with the Parking Authority and downtown businesses.  Also approving this proposed initiative should increase the number of permits sold.”

"I look forward to the City Council helping us be more responsive to the needs of businesses that are investing in our downtown, and I am appreciative the Central City District Commission supported the plan as it goes to worksession.  Salisbury continues to work hard on downtown revitalization, and this is one of the small steps we can take to encourage continued investment,” Mayor James Ireton, Jr. said.

Publishers Notes: Look, it's a start. As many of you know, I've been very vocal about this issue for years but I amped it up recently by asking the Mayor and Council, WHAT DO I GET FOR MY $8,000.00 A YEAR IN TAXES DOWNTOWN? The answer, NOTHING, absolutely nothing. In fact, I NEVER received a response from the Mayor's Office when I asked this question publicly on PAC 14. Protocol for asking such a question gets a reply letter from the Mayor's Office with answers. For us property owners Downtown we get NO parking, NO trash pickup. Why would any one want to purchase a property Downtown if the City gives you no incentive?

The saddest part of ALL of this is, IF this wasn't an election year, do you really think this Mayor would have done anything about it? When I am elected, I'm going to find at least one parking lot that will be reserved for ALL of these employees. There will be NO CHARGE whatsoever as I want to welcome new businesses as well as show our appreciation towards the ones who have remained in Downtown Salisbury. Even local government have become DEPENDENT on the very people paying the taxes. Much like welfare, section 8 housing, food stamps and so forth. The City has become so dependent they THINK they're going to LOSE $30,000.00 a year in discounted revenue.

Mayor Ireton said, "I look forward to the City Council helping us be more responsive to the needs of businesses that are investing in our downtown" are you kidding me Jim, REALLY? It was the Council that brought the problem up in the first place looking for answers. WHY would you act as if this was your idea and you hope they'll work with you. It was the Council that pushed the issue to start with. 

A good leader would NOT have gone to the Press first about an issue like this. The FIRST thing a good leader would do is consult the Council first and then move forward as a team. Jim Ireton is all about issues and topics for Jim. 

As your next Mayor, you'll never see Press Releases like this again. Salisbury needs a Mayor that RESPECTS the very people that provide income to the City, not punish them with fees like this. Shame on Mayor Ireton for disrespecting the Council like this. 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you are right about leadership. Jim wants people to believe he created the idea. He wants all the credit. You have my vote Joe. In fact, everyone I talk to says they are going to vote for you.

Anonymous said...

Jimmy is going to lose. Too little too late.

Anonymous said...

What a tool.

Anonymous said...

Jim Ireton hates women.

Anonymous said...

You don't charge someone to park at the mall or any other business around. Why should employees have to pay to park downtown. I like your idea better Joe.

Anonymous said...

Ireton is like Obama, almost four years of not getting anything done, and all he can come up with is someone else's idea. Time for hope and change, again.

Wonder what Queeen Jimmy will be dressing for this Halloween? Not as a mayor, that's for sure.

Anonymous said...

Does Ireton have a plan for the shortfall of income or is he leaving that part up to the council.

Anonymous said...

Of course he has a plan, a plan to raise taxes like he did at budget time this year. Thanks to the council majority, they found the revenue to make ends meet without raising taxes (And an extra $2,000,000). It's Ireton's job to change that way of thinking.

Anonymous said...

Joe, you are right. The council brought up the parking issue last month.

This is just more of Ireton being pi$$ed that somebody other than he, The King of Salisbury, is getting something done.

Nobody's idea is good unless it's Jim Ireton's. Wonder if he got "does not play well with others" on his kindergarden report card.

Anonymous said...

Stealing Joe's ideas again huh Jim?

Anonymous said...

What about the people that live here?

Anonymous said...

What discount do the customers get? Can they at LEAST have a 2 hour meter instead of one they have to feed every 20 minutes?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Thanks for nothing, Jim. You have reduced city hall income and have failed to stimulate downtown business! Way to go! NOW, you will want to raise taxes on the customer paying parking fines! Right?

Anonymous said...

Jim Ireton wants to get rid of Tampons

Anonymous said...

I thought the same thing when I saw his press release today. This guy never has been original.

Anonymous said...

Joe, if a good contender, someone credible that you like registers to run will you step down?

JoeAlbero said...

anonymous 10:34, my answer is, no. The ONLY candidate I would have stepped down for is Council President Terry Cohen.

My Wife, Grandson and I did not sacrifice my relocating for at least a year to play games.

So for those of you who think for a second I am not for real, think again. Think about your having to make such a move away from your Family for a $25,000.00 a year job.

I will file and I will win this election.