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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Council President Jake Day Is Proving To Be A True Leader

Young, yes. Experienced, no.

So who in their right mind would have ever expected this young man to become a shining light for the City of Salisbury. Well, I certainly didn't, but I had hoped it was possible. Jake is proving to fulfill that hope with great pleasure.

If you watched last nights City Council Meeting, WOW! I, (like many others) am not to happy with the 4th of July funding that was passed last night but before I comment on that topic I really need to do some more digging because I have to be missing something there, so I'll get back to that topic after I'm better educated.

However, Jake Day proved last night beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is mature beyond his years. He is proving he is truly doing his homework and before this Council passes serious legislation he tabled the Rain Tax, or as the City likes to call it the Storm Water Utility Fee. 


I too have been taking a LOT of my time trying to better understand this proposal and quite frankly, it's NOT a bad idea. Do any of us like the idea we're going to be punished because Mayor Ireton and former Mayor Barrie Tilghman purposely ignored our failing infrastructure, no, we don't like it.

That being said, maybe now the citizens will realize that their VOTE is far more important than they had figured. My platform included deep cuts in order to start tackling our failing infrastructure and it wasn't just words, I meant it. Was it pretty, absolutely not. However, I knew this had to be addressed and your Mayor has simply failed, unless it was an emergency and it had to be fixed right then and there.

Last night Jake Day lead the Council right out of the gate suggesting he felt there were just too many unanswered questions on this legislation with a laundry list of his own, suggesting it be brought back to a Work Session to iron out the wrinkles. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

He suggested, (as did Councilwoman Cohen) that the PUBLIC needs to be far better educated about this proposal as well. I stand by their side on this one because I truly believe once you understand the deep details on this proposal you'll actually come around, (like I have) in support of it, should they get those wrinkles ironed out. 

Municipalities throughout Maryland simply cannot afford to fix their failing infrastructure. Salisbury leads that pack. When your giving out pay raises, buying Fire Boats and having to maintain and train, when your proposing mini parks and having to maintain them, selling off assets for pennies on the dollar, (the list goes on and on). When the County flat out refuses to pay you back $1.5 million A YEAR for Fire Services for the past 8 years, someone simply is NOT managing the City's Business properly.

In the end, legislation like this is extremely hard to swallow, I GET THAT. Nevertheless, Ireton was reelected and now you are facing a new fee. This is about failing infrastructure and the opportunity to get in early by joining other municipalities whereas the state will offer and provide grants to help those municipalities rebuild that infrastructure. WITHOUT getting on board early on, Salisbury will NOT qualify for such grants and you can believe one thing, if we don't, your taxes will go up like you've never seen before.

The idea that Jake Day is looking to provide language to HELP residential property owners to get a credit if they take measures to stop unwanted runoff, rain barrels and so forth, shows that the City is not trying to gouge the property owners. 

As for the commercial side of this matter, one local businessman asked that those businesses who followed the code and created storm water management be credited and the Council also agreed.

My personal suggestion to all of our readers is that you take the time to meet with the entire Council on this matter when they have open public meetings and see for yourself why this package could prove to be very beneficial to Salisbury residents. 

In closing I'd like to say that I truly enjoyed watching a REAL City Council working in harmony last night. I watched a Council who proved they actually care about the taxpayers interest AND education on such an important piece of legislation. NO ONE rubber stamped what THEY believe was in the best interest of the taxpayers. All five Council Members agreed to table this matter. In the past, (being this is not an election year) former Councils would have simply pushed it through and Jake Day did a fantastic job leading his team like he did. I encourage you to watch the reruns on this meeting on PAC 14. 

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

That law should never have made it to 2nd reading -- can you believe a fine (up to $1000 each day) for not paying a tax?

If he were a leader, he would have kept it off the agenda until fixed -- and there are many more problems with it. It's a good thing that some folks spoke out and stopped the vote.

Anonymous said...

Good pic of R Necks Mare!

Anonymous said...

I guess the people who will be supporting it.. won't be the ones who will be significantly taxed on it.. and this tax will go up and up and up over the years... Businesses with large areas are the ones who will carry this burden..

Another reason to leave Salisbury...

JoeAlbero said...

11:40, Well, I can't argue your point about this driving businesses away.

On the residential side, $20.00 a year, (or less) is a low cost to upgrade the water and sewer system.

I think you have yo look at it like this.

The majority allegedly voted for Jim Ireton and Barrie Tilghman. THEY refused to take infrastructure seriously, yet they recognized it as a major problem during their campaigns.

While in office they ignored it and will once again pass it off to the next Mayor and Council.

In the end, is has to be upgraded.

That being said, what do YOU recommend be done to upgrade the system?

Anonymous said...

Sure, the City could benefit from the funding from the State if it were to implement the rain tax - I get that. The problem is that the State shouldn't be passing down such a mandate. The State has always had a way of putting the carrot before the horse when it comes to money (IE: A-1 Down Zoning) and it just doesn't make sense everywhere in the State. You cannot implement the same impervious surface programs here on the shore that you do in Baltimore - it just isn't the same. The State is spending millions on the legislation alone then then what is the guarantee that the money will come back to Wicomico or Salisbury? It's just another instance where the folks in Annapolis, who think they know what is best for the entire state, want to add regulations but they know they can't without reward. So what is the reward? Grants and funding for infrastructure improvements. I'm sorry, but don't my taxes already pay for that? Legislators are stupid, but they aren't as stupid as we think they are. They know that in order to pass what they want then they have to give us something we want; or at least make us think that is the case.

I'm not saying that I'm not on board with this whole "Saving the Bay" thing, but I would like to see a little more of a guarantee from the State that the money is coming back to us. I'm sick of funding the western Shore of Maryland year after year.

Anonymous said...

I pay property tax for a reason. This is part of that reason, monies raised from the rain tax will be used for other budget items and we'll still be sitting here trying to raise more money to repair infrastructure. Easy fix?? Tell Conway to stop taking our roads money and the millions that we use to replace that will be available to use for grant matching for infrastructure. To continually tax and fee us while Annapolis takes money designated for us is going to drive all 10% of us city homeowners away.

Anonymous said...

Was I watching another meeting than you -- the motion to stop it was made by Spies and Cohen.

Anonymous said...

Joe you can't have it both ways If the buisnesses leave there won't be any residents to pay rent except for the obama crowd loafing around. I know jake is trying to good for the city but he can't do this.

Anonymous said...

Yeah and I remember the toll monies for the bridges where supposed to be used for the repairs and up keep of the bridges how has that worked out?

Anonymous said...

Joe, great article. I also know that our infrastructure is failing, and that it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Having been a city homeowner for 16 years, I've seen every dirty trick in the book by every administration, up to and including Ireton's.
I think that Day and Ireton had pre-planned this whole scenario, and that it's just another diversionary bait and switch.
I hope that you're right and I'm wrong, but the feel good spending on special interests is all Day, and particularly Ireton, have shown us taxpayers- think bike lanes, skate park,still-free zoo, property virtual giveaways,the idea of more mini-parks and many more I don't have time for- not to mention the mayor's translucent expenditures from his special fund.

Anonymous said...

Not bad... not bad... I've been giving him a shot. I don't like the liberal moves of the city, but I've liked him so far.

Anonymous said...

CHARGE A $1 a person to get in the ZOO.

Anonymous said...

I don't know if I would call him a true leader after doing one right thing, I guess we'll see.

JoeAlbero said...

12:08, You weren't watching the meeting at all because Jake came right out and stated it needed to go back to a work session BEFORE he ever allowed any other council member to speak.

12:32, Actually, YOU can't have it both ways. The infrastructure has to be rebuilt. No matter how you look at it, because Ireton and Tilghman blew so many millions on a non proven WWTO, spent millions on developer reimbursements, TIF money on the old mall, Fireboat upkeep and training, the refusal of charging a fee at the Zoo, the list goes on and on, they MUST collect the money from property owners.

LOOK, YOU had the chance to make sure the right person got elected and no matter how or why it turned out like it did, you have Jim Ireton running the show.
I told you people, this guy has NO business background, NOR did Barrie Tilghman and I was constantly pointing that out.

OK, what's done is done and as I stated earlier, HOW do we fix it? How do we pay to rebuild the infrastructure?

With all the people who come here every day, please, I'm all ears. Tell us how to fix this without charging the taxpayers.

As 1:27 stated, (part of my platform running for Mayor) charge $1.00 per non Salisbury residents to get into the Zoo. HELLOOOOO Salisbury, WAKE UP.

Anonymous said...

What good is the City's tax rate ceiling if they can avoid it with scams like this?

Anonymous said...

Another read --

Day knew that the votes to pass were not there, so he didn't press for passage. Note that Jimbo was AWOL -- to avoid another public meltdown.

JoeAlbero said...

1:59, Not actually true. Jake is his own man and made his decision well beforehand. I think because we have experienced so many years of "inside trading" (so to speak) between council majorities we instantly assume it is continuing. I personally do not believe this is the case with Jake Day, not at all.

I'm on this earth 52 years now. I've been in big business and I have a good head on my shoulders, (I believe). My suggestion to our readers is to give this guy a fair chance to prove himself. That means public meetings where YOU have to take the time to not only get to know him but to soak up the information he is going to provide about this particular issue.

Now, IF Jake is simply playing us, well, you and I both know this will not be healthy for him politically. I believe the guy is straight up and time will prove just that.

Anonymous said...

He's just playing the game. And, playing it well, I might add. This is going to pass and with ease. he'll bring it back up for a vote.

Anonymous said...

Joe, do you believe Jake Day legitimately won the election against Debbie Campbell? I sure don't.

Anonymous said...

2:37 Give it a break. He crushed her.

Anonymous said...

Joe, Jake Day is an improvement over the likes of Mike Dunn and Louise Smith. But unlike Terry Cohen, he is not having to do with the world's worst behavior from Laura Mitchell and Shanie Shields.

Whenever Cohen or Debbie Campbell disagreed when they were in the minority, they were behaved about it. They were badgered and badmouthed, but they stayed ladies.

I'm not ready to call Day a true leader quite yet. His treatment of Mrs. Gibson at more than one meeting was bad and he tried to cut Mrs. Cohen off last night.

As a veteran, I would like to take a moment to thank Mrs. Cohen for honoring Mr. Spies for his service in Iraq and taking that no count mayor to task for calling council members unpatriotic for voting down unnecessary spending for the fireworks when that crew had plenty of money to do them that year. It's wrong to say "let's not look back" when it comes to holding our elected officials accountable for sorry actions.

Free speech is important, Mr. Day. The mayor had his day. Mrs. Cohen deserved to set things right and good on her for doing it!

Anonymous said...

Wow, 2:37. Are you for real? Like the kid or hate the kid, there's no question about him winning the election.

Anonymous said...

Day should run for mayor. But this rain tax issue will follow him all the way to. The polls.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Terry Cohen, for your integrity, grace and service. Jake Day is no leader. He put on a show last night, but only because he didn't have the votes.

Anonymous said...

Joe, the council president is really not supposed to come out and shut everyone else down. There is a motion, a second (neither can be made by the council president) discussion and a vote. The president is supposed to recognize the other members so that THEY can speak. Tactics, not leadership. He will bring it back and pass it soon enough. Also, state money is our money too.

Anonymous said...

Tim Spies -

Bravo Zulu, from a former naval person.

Anonymous said...

Don't get Soft on us Joe. Not the same episode I was watching.

Anonymous said...

We need more people like jake. He is definitely a leader.
Has good ideas, vision for what can be, and backs it up with action.
Keep it up jake.

Anonymous said...

Joe, I'm sorry but I have to disagree with your line of thinking on this one. You have proven what type of person you are after years of being in the public spectrum. I respect you, like you and would vote for you to be mayor. Mr. Day still has much to prove over a longer period of time before any judgments can be definitively made.

The REAL issue on the table is the matter of added taxation to the public, no matter the cost or reasons behind it. Granted, the county owes the city millions. This gives absolutely zero wiggle room for the council to institute ANY NEW TAX. If there is a deficit hold those parties responsible in rectifying the matter. Not US. I do not care if it's a .01 tax increase....we are overtaxed as it is!! The BOE is blowing money like they are oil magnates and there's nothing to show for it. Salisbury taxes us to death and back and there's nothing to show for that. Taxes were intended to be as minimal as possible for the purpose of roads, police and education. SPD is unnecessary and should be absorbed into WCSO. The BOE needs to be jailed for theft. And what makes my head ready to explode is the condition of our roads.

Before anyone can talk about taxes that need to be instituted, we have corruption and misuse of our hard-earned money that must be addressed. This city is bleeding money and there is absolutely nothing to show for it.

No more taxes. Repeal all spending until the roads are tip-top, SPD is absorbed and the BOE is held accountable for wanton spending. We do not need a rain tax, even if it brought in other monies. The old line of thinking is unsustainable and I'm afraid it will take a serious hit before our stewards change their philosophy of "tax and spend."

I would very much like to know what you think Joe. Thanks for all your hard work SBY News!

JoeAlbero said...

8:43, Thank You for that great comment.

You are spot on and I also agree, Jake has a lot of proving himself to do. I am simply saying we are off to a great start. If you follow the Council Meetings you'll see that the entire Council has voted unanimously on almost EVERY item, like 99% of the time.

We haven't seen such unity in decades.

As for taxes, again, I agree. IF I had become Mayor I would have stomped Rick Pollitt with what he admittedly owes the City. Look, the City needs to fix its failing infrastructure. Mind you, the $1.5 mil the County owes is STILL taxpayer money. However, it would NOT have increased the tax debt to the citizens and that money/expense must be collected.

As for the BOE, WOW, now that's a problem. Unfortunately they cannot be touched but let me say this. Tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM I have a Post going up that will bring Fredericksen to his KNEES!

It's a LONG read but well worth your time. I truly recommend everyone take the time to read it in full.

Again, Thank You for that great comment.

Anonymous said...

I look forward to reading the article. Thank you for taking the time to reply sir!

Anonymous said...

FYI, If one looks in the budget that was passed for FY 2013, only $20,000 was set aside for stormwater repairs, management/ infrastructure. Yet, if one looks into the parking meter costs vs. revenue, the City actually SPENDS more than that just to operate the system. Look it up, and see what I mean!

There is a LOT of money spent very unwisely that could go to generating more revenue and taking proper care of our infrastructure!

Anonymous said...


"One rose does not a summer make." according to some dead English poet & playwright.

If it was going to be a tie vote he'd have to break the tie. Might not want to have been riding that horse into the future.