Who Wants to Raise Taxes in Salisbury?
The short answer is nobody … until Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman is re-elected in 2009. Then, the residents and business owners of Salisbury had better watch out.
Last year the taxpayers of Salisbury were hit with a double digit property tax increase and saved from a double digit water and sewer increase only through the persistence of Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen. Given that Tilghman is up for re-election, the dire need for a water and sewer increase is no longer a priority. The need for a tax increase - last year, this year or next, is certainly unwarranted but was, and will be necessary, due to Tilghman’s spendthrift ways and the refusal of her three lackeys on the city council to rein her in.
This is evidenced by comments in this morning’s Daily Times:
“We did raise the property tax rate last year and, of course, as we are looking at the budget this year,, I have said from the beginning one of the key things I was waiting for was to find out if taxes were going to be raised,” said Council President Louise Smith.
First of all Louise, the Mayor’s budget has been out almost a month. You’ve known for some time whether or not she would call for a tax increase. Second, and far more importantly, it is ultimately up to the city council whether or not there will be a tax increase. Not even in the deepest, darkest recesses of Barrie Tilghman’s mind would City Attorney Paul Wilber argue that any tax increase can be implemented without the approval of council.
Louise’s comments may put her in the lead for the annual Shanie Shields award for most foolish statement made by an elected official on Delmarva.
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