Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Weekend Warrior Project



Whenever you want to do something you know your not supposed to do, do it on the weekend when no one is around.

That's what happened in this case when the owner of this building removed the "historic" windows out of the building and replaced them with new ones.

No permits were visible and nothing was displayed from the Historic Society before, during or after the windows were installed. 

The Owner, John Robinson, is a close friend of the Mayor and a big contributor to his campaign. 

71 comments:

Anonymous said...

Birds of a feather?

Anonymous said...

Wow how. Come this POS John Robinson of salisbury md owner of robinson jewlery and gold store can replace old windows in a HYSTORIC distrect and NO ONE else can this will set the way for everyone to do whatever they want in downtown hystoric district I bet he is friends with the mayor that gave him a pass??? WHERE IS CODE ENFORCEMENT...What a sneaky prick doing it on Saturday.

college girl. said...

I hope anyone that owns buildings down there get a lawyer and sue the city of salisbury.

Anonymous said...

Robinson = Dirtbag Scammer.

Anonymous said...

The windows that were taken out are not "original" to the structure. Those windows were probably put in, in the 70s or 80s. You can tell by the jambliners (the white things in the bed). However they are much closer in appearance than the vinyl ones he replaced them with. He didn't follow the law however.

Anonymous said...

You want to revive downtown but you want people to jump through red tape an hurdles to install better windows?

Anonymous said...

Does John Robinson do anything legal? I had some silver coins to sell & got three estimates. He was not close. One Delaware dealer laughed at his price.

Anonymous said...

I say sue him over it...with your pictures here as evidence..can't see this not being a win for those maybe not so close to robinson

Anonymous said...

Is that the building that caught on fire? May be cutting corners to pocket some insurance money?

Anonymous said...

I don't know how it is in Salisbury but here in Worcester county people are afraid to get "the County" involved. I personally have had great experiences with "the County" and actually fine those who do the permitting, inspecting, etc are not only very helpful but also a wealth of knowledge.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't expect anything less of Robinson. He is scum with a capital S. If there is a wrong way to do something, he is right there doing it. His pal, Ireton, was probably somewhere near too.

Anonymous said...

3:40 Two different counties. One of them wants to help the average person better their house and property. The other is Wicomico county.

Anonymous said...

There is no real code enforcement in Slimsbury, just look at all of the businesses signs how crappy they look! This is covered under "Blight", and the laws says that a business is supposed to keep all signs, building, sidewalks, and driveways in good repair.

DJMickSwagger said...

Preach

Anonymous said...

That's a good looking truck. :-)

JoeAlbero said...

I have a series of text messages today from John Robinson I'll be sharing tomorrow. Warning, they are extremely graphic.

Anonymous said...

Word in the GOB is that Robinson is in deep trouble on this one.

Anonymous said...

Lucky someone was lurking in the parking lot to get this shot. Shame on him for trying to improve his property. Nice to know that the community police are watching. So helpful.

Anonymous said...

A great example of what's wrong with the Shore. Nobody can just mind their own business.

Anonymous said...

He's says he turned the building over to his daughter and she didn't know she needed approval from the historic commission but she did get a building permit. We shall see. Even JT says JR lies. I can only imagine his texts. His children and his wife should be hanging their heads in shame that such a vulgar, crude, ill bred, low class person is related to them.

Anonymous said...

He probably hired an illegal immigrant to do the work too while he sat and counted his fool's gold.

Anonymous said...

Despite calls to the self proclaimed Housing people of Salisbury Landlords have a field day with various windows and aluminum siding in the bull crap historic district

Anonymous said...

How ironic that some see the problem as someone who documents another's wrongdoing, not the wrongdoer himself.

Anonymous said...

Surely someone must make modern windows that have a vintage old timey look. It seems to me that is what is needed to keep the historic look but with modern day efficiency.Robinson should have looked into this befor having any work done. I'm curious to see how will shake out. SPIN DOCTOR COVER UP ??

Anonymous said...

Many of us purchased properties in historic, commercial and residential, because of the impression that the designation provides an extra level of protection to preserve architectural character. In other areas historical district properties are more valuable because the districts are well protected and beautiful. In Salisbury, neighbors who follow the rules and contribute to the integrity are vilified by the law breakers and their buddies when they are forced to blow the whistle on things like this because the inspectors and city hall prefer to turn a blind eye. From what I could see Tom Stevens was part of the problem...seemed to have his favorite landlords who got free passes on illegal behavior unless neighbors could rally and raise enough fuss to cause expose the nonsense. Now he is Ireton's right hand. I don't recall the city cutting Joe any slack with his building over the years (not that I would have wanted them to). The point is that the law is the law and should be applied equally.

Anonymous said...

He's had cars tagged with expired licenses, he has peddled gold while only paying pennies on the dollar. They call these type of people - swindlers, that have a predatory personality. One can tell by his actions that he has a disregard for the law. He really is a slim ball in my book.

Anonymous said...

As just a casual observer, it seems as though Robinson is plagued with a lot of problems, mostly self-induced. My mom always told me to try and stay-away from these types of people. I hope you get my drift.

Anonymous said...

Plain and simple, he broke the law. He will be fined and forced to replace the windows with custom made windows from the early 1900's. This will be a very costly mistake. When I read he did this over the weekend it became evident he was doing so to try to get away with it. Let this be a warning to the rest of the property owners.

Anonymous said...

Wait a minute! Isn't this illegal and shouldn't Robinson be heavily fined?

Anonymous said...

Cry Joe cry!

Anonymous said...

No me gusto el Senor Robinson porque es un trasnochada. El hombre es un ladron que se paga muy poco.

Me hispanic friends know to stay away from him.

Anonymous said...

Attempted to file a compliant today Joe, and code and compliance hung up on me saying I had no proof! Joe seriously, what can we do. Everyone else has to pay for permits, and buy extremely expensive windows. Mr. Robinson gets away with this? I want proof that he is fined for this, and none of us should give up til he is!

JoeAlbero said...

9:43, Code and Compliance took many complaints today about this matter and fines have already gone out. They were there early this morning taking pictures and everything has been documented. IF they hung up on you, you must not have been very nice to them.

Anonymous said...

I have a law office downtown and I'm considering filing a Writ of Mandamus to compel him to bring the structure back into compliance. If it is not restored back into its original condition, I'm going to do just that.

Anonymous said...

Ask the Atlantic Hotel in Berlin, MD. what kind of trouble you can get into with the Historical Society.

Anonymous said...

With the price of fuel oil, pellets, gasoline, propane, I know just the cure for Salisbury. I say ban all gasoline breathing vehicles, and, bring back the horse & buggies to the Plaza. Plant the hitching posts, and BINGO, you have one thriving metropolis. Then, remove the bridge over the river to allow the skipjacks to traverse the river, once again, up to the Sheraton.

If you don't believe me - look at some of Salisbury's oldest photos from the former era. Salisbury looked a lot more prosperous at the turn of the century than what it does right now.

Anonymous said...

It would be charming and a tourist attraction, 10:07 and according to some of the newest reports that's where the job and economic growth is. All kidding aside, look at the communities across the country that have allowed slumlords to take over the large homes in their historic districts, have allowed the ill-behaved portion of the college population to rage out of control, and turns a blind eye to decay...that's where we're headed, if we're not already past the tipping point.

Anonymous said...

He's a P.O.S. and thinks he's a big man in the Community! I waited while he was behind the counter looking up the value of another person's coins. Then it was my turn and he wanted to take my very valuable & CERTIFIED coins in the back room. Why??? Yea right John, like I'm stupid. I asked him why he didn't do that to the other person's coins. He got pissed and ordered me off his property. Lucky for me I got all my coins back. Had he gone to the backroom there could have been a problem. He has to do some heavy advertising to get customers to replace the ones he's taken advantage of... or ticked off. John - Little Man, the Shore is only so big... Ha HaHa !!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Maybe he did it on the weekend because that was his day off? Don't most people do stuff on their houses on the weekends?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Is that the building that caught on fire? May be cutting corners to pocket some insurance money?

March 10, 2014 at 3:08 PM

I don't know if it caught fire, but the roof caved in and it was deemed unsafe. It's a loser building and a loser that owns it.

Anonymous said...

JoeAlbero said...
I have a series of text messages today from John Robinson I'll be sharing tomorrow. Warning, they are extremely graphic.

March 10, 2014 at 5:57 PM

Oh please do Share!!

Anonymous said...

March 10, 2014 at 7:45 PM

Tom Stevenson was the biggest part of the problem. He has LDS and he carries a "badge" that looks like a cop bad. He also has yellow strobe lights on his car that are not needed, but it gives him that much needed wood to make him feel like a cop with authority.

Anonymous said...

10:01 Mayor Gee Williams of Berlin looked the other way and made BS excuses when the windows were replaced at the Atlantic Hotel. Fager and other good old boys own it so maybe some money was given to Gee in exchange for favors, as is the case many times with these good old boys and probably is the case with this between Robinson and Liarton.

Anonymous said...

Robinson always has an excuse for everything, the problem is he thinks people are buying it.

Anonymous said...

I took an antique mantel clock to him for minor cleaning/repair that has been in my family for over 50 years. He said to leave it with him, which I did (this was years ago before I knew he was not the right place to take it) and when I returned to pick it up, he said it could not be fixed and it was worth basically nothing. Wish I would have taken it somewhere else early on as it never worked after that.

Anonymous said...

Whoop, whoop. Here we go again, tearing apart another citizens of the City. Can't you people stay on track with an issue. The issue is he did not have any permits to do so. You don't have to dive into his personal life and trash the heck out of him.

Anonymous said...

People if you take anything to Robinson, you are going to be ripped off, you have now been warned. He does not quote you the best price for your gold or silver, you can go anywhere and do better than he will offer you. Also if you have any clocks that need repairing, don't go to him. He rips off the public on a daily basis. Furthermore, attitude is everything, and his stinks. He needs to come down off his high and mighty throne.

Anonymous said...

As another example,the City of Salisbury has no problem with non-certified people ripping and breaking asbestos shingles off at least two houses by Chipman School. The City even allowed children to walk right through the asbestos pieces on way to school after being informed of the issue I was told. I doubt this would have never happened in a more upscale neighborhood. Like what is being said here, all in who you know I guess...

Anonymous said...

8:39 Frankly, anyone selling gold and silver locally is getting cheated by anyone. You can sell it direct, at the prices they will be selling it for. Just takes a little effort, something lost in people today.

Anonymous said...

This guy is muck. Get that part and you get the whole story

Anonymous said...

He is a muck. Not only has he injected his daughter into the controversy, he's gone and tossed her under the bus, and blaming her. He has a screw loose and his family needs to have him committed. A normal person would have ignored what is on here and gone immediately and have it taken care of. But no......Father of the Year has to drag his family into it.

Anonymous said...

Joe albero I hope you like the papers you be getting soon. I'll see you in court.

Anonymous said...

Is his daughter the one who drove nails to install the windows? Did the person who did the work have a license? If they had a license they should know the code and did it anyway?

Anonymous said...

He does have a permit

Anonymous said...

I asked a friend of mine about where to take my silver to be priced. He gave me four places and Robinson was not one of them and I asked why. He said Robinson is a personal friend of mine but he is the last place I would go. He said he knew rip off was his policy.

Anonymous said...

Let me tell you a story about the HYSTERICAL society, FORGIVENESS trumps PERMISSION! (should be their motto.)

Anonymous said...

Interesting that he claims to have given the property to his daughter. According to public records the property is mortgaged. Any transfer of the property is likely to void or accelerate the loan. I wonder if he got written consent from the mortgage company who having interest in the property has to agree to the transfer.
The dumb ass should have kept his mouth shut about the daughter.

Anonymous said...

If a structure is labeled "non contributory" to the historic nature
of the structure, the owner should NEVER HAVE TO HAVE THEIR PERMISSION for anything. Theirs is after all, a RECOMMENDATION, NOT a building code.
Sign me "Caught in historic purgatory."

Anonymous said...

you have to have permission from historical society before they'll issue a permit. (what they told us) Must be who you know. I told them they suffered from favoritism. They said not, but I can prove it!

Anonymous said...

we were here a long time before we were designated historic.

Anonymous said...

John Robinson is nothing but a rude scumbag. He is a rip off. I really hioe they do some kinda of investigation on his business and shut him down. He is as worthless as Mayor Ireton.

Anonymous said...

It's a darling building but functionally obsolete for almost anything. If it belonged to me, I'd be letting a non profit use it rent free, which then becomes a tax writeoff.

Anonymous said...

Glad I don't live where there are rules, because I'd break them every day. No one should be allowed to say what I can, or can't do to my home and property. I'd go postal if I ever had to live in a neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

I agree 11:46. Not to mention I can't stand people living right under my nose. I love my privacy.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Joe albero I hope you like the papers you be getting soon. I'll see you in court.

March 11, 2014 at 10:16 AM

Oh ANOTHER court case against Joe? lmao. How has that worked out in the past?

Anonymous said...

yup big shot robinson, I thought he was having a skate park built? they blamed debbie, jake's honeymoon is over, how's that skate park coming?

Anonymous said...

John is a liar. He is a legend in his own microscopic mind. He treats everyone like crap: family, friends, employees. He rarely does the right thing. He hides behind his father's reputation. His father was actually a good person - unlike John. John says he is one thing and does another. He tries to use his money (most of it earned by taking advantage of others) to make himself look good. Not sure who he's trying to convince: others or himself. Probably guilt. I feel sorry for him, his wife and his son and daughter. And, everyone except family who has the unfortunate experience to work for him. John should be audited from stem to stern with regard to ALL his business ventures. Would love to see that happen. If John is as squeaky clean as he says he is, he would be vindicated. If not, he just might spend the rest of his natural life in prison. I vote audit.

Anonymous said...

The historic districts have been established for 25 or 30 years. If you don't want to be constrained by the rules, simply buy someplace else.

Anonymous said...

Salisbury code compliance or NSCC is a joke.Look at Merrifield apartments, one guy that had to move out was on the news and code compliance refused to inspect the sump pumps that have been broken for 20 years so the buildings are full of mold from all the excess water under there. a lot of other people there are sick too from lung infections to bleeding problems and stomach problems from the exposure to the severe mold contamination.
No one in the city or county will do anything about it!

Anonymous said...

I noticed that even the Hispanics are leery of this dude.

Anonymous said...

Karma...