Barrieland’s Latest Lie - “It’s for the Seniors”
Since the first Clinton administration, “It’s for the children.”, has reigned as the all purpose cover-up for wasting taxpayers’ money. With their backs up against the wall, again, Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman’s “council leadership” of Louise Smith, Gary Comegys and Shanie Shields plucked the taxpayer yet again crying, “It’s for the seniors!”. The infamous Sassafras Meadows property received another $320,000 subsidy from Salisbury’s citizens.
Isn’t affordable housing for Salisbury’s seniors important? Of course it is. When other projects come before Salisbury council you probably won’t here a peep from citizens. But you need to remember that the citizens of Salisbury have now agreed to pay out over $1 million in subsidies to this one parcel.
“Wait, I read that the subsidy was only $287,000!” That’s what you read the Daily Times. It’s not inaccurate, but it only tell part of the story.
The Tilghman administration, with the consent of Comegys, Shields, and the balance of the old “Dream Team”, borrowed almost $900,000 to reimburse the owners of the Sassafras Meadows parcel for running water and sewer out to the property. REMEMBER, the agreement to give the property water and sewer was based on the promise that almost 300 units of affordable senior housing would be built. The developers simply took a big bag of cash from the city and left town.
The property’s new owner, Tom Ruark, basically laughed at Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Shanie Shields when he was reminded of the past commitment. Why not? Mayor Tilghman had already stacked the deck by allowing the water and sewer lines to be run without having annexed the property first. What did Ruark care? He had a piece of property with water and sewer. He basically dared the city not to annex. Of course when it came time to pay out the developer reimbursement, Shanie was right in line doing what her slumlord masters told her to do. Perhaps Mrs. Shields will one day understand that Lincoln freed the slaves and she can move off the plantation.
Now Salisbury’s taxpayers are supposed to add another $320,000 to the pot. “It’s for the seniors!”.
If the Wicomico County Council is foolish enough to sign on, we will be adding another $320,000 to the subsidy. This will bring the total to almost $1.5 million! But don’t worry, “It’s for the seniors!”.
I don’t know what the cost per unit will be to the developer, but the total subsidies to this property will now amount to around $19,000 per unit. “It’s for the seniors!”.
What would be an equitable solution? Simple. Force the developers to live up to their word! I forgot, we’re talking about Barrieland.
cross posted at Salisbury News
Technorati Tags: Mayland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, affordable housing, seniors, development, Debbie Campbell, Barrie Tilghman, Louise Smith, Gary Comegys, Shanie ShieldsSphere: Related Content
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