The Schizophrenic GOB
Filed under: Culture, Maryland, Salisbury Politics, Wicomico Politics
The Wicomico County and Salisbury City governments share the same office building, affectionately known as the GOB. That’s about the only thing that they seem to share. When you look at the styles and attitudes of the elected leaders of the two entities the differences are startling.
When I arrived home this evening I noticed in Joe Gidjunis’ blog that County Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes is hosting another of her constituent meetings this Thursday. While I’m not fond of commending Democrats, this young lady is doing a great job. She’s actively reaching out to her constituents across a large and diverse district. I don’t have to agree with her on everything, but I have to respect what she is trying to accomplish. More importantly, the other members of the county council appear to respect Ms. Sample-Hughes and what she is doing.
Now, move across the GOB and look at the Salisbury City Council. When Councilwomen Campbell and Cohen made a similar attempt to reach out to constituents it was derided by their colleagues on council. When a meeting was held to elicit the opinions of city residents you had the feeling of being in an armed camp. Of course the supporters of Mayor Tilghman and her cronies will point fingers at the only two fiscally responsible members of city government and say that this is somehow their fault.
On the Wicomico County Council you have fiscal hawks like Joe Holloway and Stevie Prettyman standing up for the taxpayer. I haven’t seen their colleagues call them names or attack their character for wanting to save the citizens of Wicomico County some of their hard earned money. On the Salisbury City Council you have a majority who vote to enable a tax increase without even reading the budget, but don’t hesitate to attack colleagues who attempt to save the taxpayers some money while also trying to fix the city’s public safety problems.
Look at the executive branches of the two governments. Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt is a Democrat. I’m not only a Republican, but a vocal, fiercely partisan one to boot. Why then would someone like Rick take the time to answer my questions time and again? Because I’m a constituent. It doesn’t matter whether I voted for him last year or will vote for him in the future. This man takes his responsibilities as County Executive to heart and he understands that he serves ALL of the citizens of Wicomico County. … not just Democrats. … not just friends. … not just supporters. You get my drift.
Walk out of Rick Pollitt’s office, hang a right and take a left at the corner. Go down the hall and you enter Barrieland. If you don’t show Barrie the love, you are the enemy. And believe me, you are treated as one. Now this suits me just fine (every time she’s rude to me I laugh my *ss off), but what about her constituents? As I discussed in a previous post, if you want any information from the city that is more complex than knowing the current time (and you are not one of the “I Love Barrie” crowd) then you have to drive to the GOB, fill out a form, wait for a response, pay money and then you just might get your question answered.
If you oppose city policy you are attacked publicly and in the press. If you are the least bit vocal you are usually threatened. Now this is strictly a prophylactic measure. If Barrie finds out that she can’t back you down, then she merely gives up and sticks to calling you names. Why do you think that you never see business people at city council meetings complaining about problems like crime on their doorstep or vandalism? They complain to their families and friends. They also have been lead to believe that if they do complain publicly codes compliance personnel will be on their doorsteps within 48 hours to write a book full of citations. Given the city’s tax rate, crime rate, and welcoming nature I just can’t understand why businesses aren’t flocking to move to Salisbury.
We can only hope that in 2009 (for Mayor and District 1 Council) and 2011 (for two District 2 seats) a new wind will blow on the city side of the GOB and new leadership will take some cues from the other side of the building. If not, the sickness permeating city government will eventually rot the city to its core.
Technorati Tags: Salisbury, Wicomico, politics, salisburypolitics, wicomicopolitics, RickPollitt, BarrieTilghman, DelmarvaDealings
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G.A., again you have precisely and with great articulation set out the stark comparisons so well. Barrie rules with fear and disdain and for those of us who have stood up to her, we know first-hand how chilling her mode of governance can be. Interestingly, I am hearing that her reputation in this regard is becoming widely known in larger circles in the State–even the Governor has been made aware of what she has done to Salisbury. Hopefully when she finishes up with our fair City, her future political ambitions will not be realized.
It could be the right time for us to shift to the consolidated (”metropolitan area”) government that has been proposed several times over the years — in other words, the City of Salisbury would merge into the county. That form of government has existed in Howard County and Baltimore County (where there are no municipalities) for years.
One immediate advantage would be a countywide police force and no need to annex land to get sewer and water services.
And another advantage would be the end of the reign of Barrie Tilghman and her cronies (Bubba, Louise and Shanie).
I have the honor of being one of the many citizen founders of Crime Solvers (Stoppers) which was I believe, the brain child of the State Police somewhere in the west..
It is my understanding that it has been very successful over the years.
If you are not familiar with the way it works, the police announce a crime, and persons anonymously call in with “tips†and they are kept totally anonymous.
Though not exactly the same thing, (we recently saw a person identified on Joe Albero’s blog, after a very short time.) Which proves that persons are reading the blogs, and are reacting to help the community.
I think that we should have a task force that will take e-mails, calls, and letters to report on incidents perpetrated by the Mayor and her “friends†Anyone who has been threatened, harassed, intimidated, disenfranchised, bullied, and or knows of illegal “deals” should anonymously report to a task force that is sworn to secrecy and reports to the attorney general or to the state prosecutor.
I don’t exactly know how or who would/could do this,but I will be the first to volunteer, and my credibility and credentials are lily white, she cannot possibly do any harm to me,
So, if all of the persons who are aggrieved and outraged would please do something, we can get her out of office. Before the whole city is in the toilet..
I second that motion Sneeky, abolish the city charter~!!