We’d Rather React Than Discuss

Please note that Linda Kent did not say she was against the development totally, either. In addition to many valid points, she specifically recommended that the development go back to P&Z to see if they would consider lowering the density to 550 units — which is still about 11 units per acre, instead of 16. Twelve is the most allowed by a PRD.

For her trouble in being a well-read, well-researched and involved citizen, Kent was treated to a personal attack from Council member Lynn Cathcart, saying Kent was picking information out of context and speaking half-truths. The City line is fast becoming that any citizen who speaks for something other than what the City powers-that-be want to do is to be branded “a naysayer,” or “bitter and angry,” or “against everything,” blah blah blah.

(Incidentally, not one citizen come forward to say how desperately they want this rezoning/development to go through as currently planned.)

While the City Council majority and the Mayor profusely thanked each other and the staff for their hard work, they once again insulted, cut short, and distracted (with fidgeting, angry head shaking, gestures) citizens while they spoke. Unlike the Council, Mayor or staff, these citizens are taking their time — UNPAID — to attend meetings, do research, to try to make a contribution.

Citizens deserve far better than what they receive at the hands of those who demand respect while failing to give it themselves.

As far as I can see, in the eyes of City Council (except for Ms. Campbell) the “little guy” matters not. The Mall is certainly going to go forward–due mostly because the City and County have $19.8 in tax incentives they will cough up for the developer of the project, the County gets a Civic Center parking lot and, most especially, the City sees this as a way of getting rid of the falling-down mall building (this is what Shanie Shields and other council members (except for Ms. Campbell) harp on constantly) but THIS IS NOT REASON FOR GIVING THE DEVELOPER ALL HE WANTS AND THEN SOME. That building should have been condemned years ago, but for some reason, the City failed to do so.

The City Council is totally unresponsive to the regular citizen and, even now, is listening only to the $$$$$$ developers. This City has taken on a face that I don’t recognize anymore, and I’m NOT at all proud to be a part of it. There was a time (before Barrie) when we felt proud of our City–now I am embarrassed by it. There is no pride left, and when you take away pride , you have a shell of cookie-cutter housing units that look like every other city because it has grown outward BUT NOT INWARD. Salisbury is a very superficial place right now; scratch the surface and there’s nothing there–it’s soul has been sold to the “money men”.

IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

The mall investment group (they’re not from here — Baltimore, I think) makes the CDW/Delmarva Bank group look like rubes. They have let the mall become a derelict eyesore and now are getting a real fortune in benefits to tear it down. Besides the rezoning that will rape the neighborhood, they will walk away from here with a $20 Million tax break.
Total takeaway=at least $35 Million for property they bought for about $4 Million (much less than CDW paid for the Hearne property). No doubt our local land barons will see how the pro’s do it and try to follow in their wake — one already wants a similar tax break for the Aydelotte Farm.

This absurd rezoning to allow over 820 units at the old mall shows why simply limiting annexations will not restore normalcy — the planning and zoning officials have no concept of smart (or even “good”) growth. These so-called “experts” are the problem — the Planning & Zoning Commission is where projects such as this and the Hearne project are born. After it approves them, it’s all but a done deal.

They are about to begin another revision of the comprehensive plan — look for it to be done with little public input or consideration of what density of development the people prefer — and result in more high-density development.

In her statement last night Ms. Kent correctly stated that the P&Z Commission has let us down — that apparently caused Lynn (”the developers’ friend”) Cathcart, who is a member, to make a thinly-veiled personal attack on Ms. Kent.

Planning & zoning in Salisbury and Wicomico County is a joke — and the same officials handle it all. Besides replacing the lot of them, it’s time to split the City and County apart, each with its own Commission. It’s ridiculous for persons from Willards or Bivalve to be making decisions about development in the City of Salisbury.

Too Bad She’s Not An Attorney

Was impressed with Ms. Kent’s legal skill at the City Council last night. Unimpressed with the pathetic response by the powers-that-be.

Perhaps this is the one to appeal.

Here we go. While professing to embrace Salisbury as a unique place, one with a character that should be preserved, the City Council has voted 4-1 to allow an 840 unit monster to sprout up at the Old Mall property. No traffic study, no visits to other locales where clones of these cookie cutter giants have already been built to see just how ugly and ruinous they are, and, certainly, no listening to any constructive criticism.
We’re looking at having a middle class slum smack in the middle of our town.
How many of these will be purchased by landlords to become rentals? One can almost hear the slathering. And how many will be purchased and sold every three or four years to fund college educations, while giving students and three of their friends (whoops, sorry, they’re FAMILY) a place to live while learning how to act as adults?
In a classic non sequitur, Shanie Shields announced that she wants the minimum wage to be increased, perhaps so that when the homes in her neighborhood are torn down after being stolen by eminent domain (think it hasn’t crossed the mayor’s mind?), a PDD can spring up in those vacant lots and those on her new, improved minimum wage can pool their incomes to live as roommates, just as they are now in lesser digs.
Sometimes its hard to believe that we continue to choose to live here. It’s becoming more evident each council meeting that we do so because it’s a nice area, not because it’s a nice city. But given enough time on our present course, even that will change.

Pete Cooper hit the nail on the head last night…”Quality not Quantity.” He is a professional planner who has devoted his life to our city. He has the ability to take the past into account while being a visionary of how a sustainable, quality community is created. He suggested a much lower density…I think 4 units per acre. They will go out and spend six figures on an “expert” when they had one right in their midst, offering his expert advice as his civic duty and 4 members of the council just blew him off. What a disgrace.

Congratulations to We Care for raising public awareness on the issues of annexation and development, possibly resulting in the removal of the annexation requests from the council agenda last night.

Forgot to Say:

Have you noticed how the Daily Times has completely buried the Salisbury Mall matter — to avoid the public outcry — while promoting Dunn’s reelection campaign with endless coverage?

Can you imagine the hearing last night not being the page 1 lead — a resident calling out the City Attorney, who looked like he wished he were elsewhere, and the Dream Team doing their “3 stooges” to perfection?

Enjoyed the shots of Barrie on TV — looked like she was losing it and understand she did later in the evening — catch the reruns.

Sure beats Monday night football.

Could someone refresh my memory: who was it, exactly, who voted the “Dream Team” in? I know I didn’t vote for any of them, and no one I know personally did (although I do know one resident homeowner clueless enough to have voted for Michael Day in the last run).

I mean, with a rental occupancy rate of 70% or so, who bothers to vote here, on his own initiative, except the resident landowner? And of that group, who would be STUPID enough to cast a vote for Halfheart, Dunnkopf or Comedys? These public menaces made their agenda crystal clear from the beginning: to screw this fair City blind. You didn’t need to be Einstein to know that.

So, I can only conclude that some major paid ballot stuffing went on. Q.E.D.

Just a guess: Landlords loaded up the wagons, told people who to vote for “or else.” Then there was the steady stream of character assassination in the Daily Crime of that nasty ole “contentious” council. Welcome to Political Peyton Place. Funny, none of that kind of stuff in the Daily Crime now.

D. Tearsheet, your names for the three have you in competition with Duvafiles!

I wonder if Linda Kent would care so much about the mall if it wasn’t in her back yard. Selfish agendas are never good. She owes her legal skills to Bob Taylor, for whom she used to work.

Mrs. Kent, In my opinion, would care even if the mall wasn’t in her back yard. She, like many others in this city and county, are trying to keep local development from turning this entire area into an urban hell. While we can’t keep development from happening, we can help our less than constituent minded council members remember that we need a realistic and sound plan in place to avoid major problems in the infrastructure.

Does the old mall need to come down? Absolutely!
Should it have come down years ago? Absolutely!
Should someone step up to the plate and develop the property? Absolutely!
Does it need to be as dense as 16 units per acre? Absolutely not!

If this type of urbanization is allowed to continue, then we will all lose the way of life that the Eastern Shore is known for…. the whole reason most people moved here for in the first place that weren’t raised here.

Linda Kent certainly seems to have her facts. Did anyone notice that most of the council wasn’t even interested in the various documents she presented on Monday night? Seems she knows more than most about the mall deal. I hope she stays on the case.