Campbell is also happy to report that the take-home vehicle policy is finally coming back to council for review and expresses guarded optimism that there will be significant reform that will equate to meaningful savings. Campbell is on record as supporting take home cars for police officers living within the metro core, but has been opposed to the liberal take home car policies in other departments and for those living outside the area...sometimes outside Wicomico County and even the state of Maryland.
“Councilwoman Cohen and I have been working to ensure that representations made at budget time to take other contracts for goods and services out for competitive pricing will be realized within the next month and will result in additional savings,” Campbell added.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Cohen Pushes for Greater Accountability and Effectiveness in Marina Management
As directed by the city council, the city administration is preparing to issue a new RFP (Request for Proposal) for management of the Port of Salisbury Marina, which has consistently had losses – often around $50,000 – annually. As a boater/sailor with knowledge of different marinas, Councilwoman Cohen has pushed for greater accountability and effectiveness in marina operations.
“Some say we should sell the marina, which is certainly an option, but not likely to happen soon in today’s volatile downturn economy,” Cohen remarked. “I see the potential in the marina, even given some of the obstacles it faces.”
Cohen recently made a tour of the marina and contacts with those familiar with it. She has made recommendations for changes to the RFP and is in the process of reviewing the revised version. The city administration is hoping to put it out to the public in the first week of November.
“With the right approach, personnel and contract requirements, we can realize that potential and both leverage the marina as a public asset and relieve the taxpayers of ongoing losses,” Cohen explained.
“Some say we should sell the marina, which is certainly an option, but not likely to happen soon in today’s volatile downturn economy,” Cohen remarked. “I see the potential in the marina, even given some of the obstacles it faces.”
Cohen recently made a tour of the marina and contacts with those familiar with it. She has made recommendations for changes to the RFP and is in the process of reviewing the revised version. The city administration is hoping to put it out to the public in the first week of November.
“With the right approach, personnel and contract requirements, we can realize that potential and both leverage the marina as a public asset and relieve the taxpayers of ongoing losses,” Cohen explained.
Campbell Promotes Fiscal Responsibility for Taxpayers
Another of Councilwoman Campbell’s efforts has been focused on a revisit of the current budget to reduce spending in response to the volatile financial times facing our taxpayers. The suggestion to go back and offer budget amendments to cut costs was advanced at the Goal Setting Session earlier this month and again at the work session held on October 20th.
“The response from the council majority has been less than supportive,” said Campbell, citing remarks that reducing spending in the current fiscal year is the job of the administration.
“To date, there has been no offer by the administration to revisit the budget in response to these tough economic times, either at the Goal Setting Session or since that time. The council has the authority to make budget amendments. If the administration doesn’t act upon the suggestion in the next few weeks then I believe that we (the council) owe it to our taxpayers to take a second look in order to see if there are areas where cutbacks can be made,” Campbell added.
“The response from the council majority has been less than supportive,” said Campbell, citing remarks that reducing spending in the current fiscal year is the job of the administration.
“To date, there has been no offer by the administration to revisit the budget in response to these tough economic times, either at the Goal Setting Session or since that time. The council has the authority to make budget amendments. If the administration doesn’t act upon the suggestion in the next few weeks then I believe that we (the council) owe it to our taxpayers to take a second look in order to see if there are areas where cutbacks can be made,” Campbell added.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Cohen Speaks to Students about Land Use, Zoning and Crime
On October 22, as reported in the Daily Times, Councilwoman Cohen joined resident of the Johnson’s Lake Neighborhood Association in speaking to a class of “land use and planning” students at Salisbury University. After hearing about crime in the Johnson’s Lake area and what residents are doing to protect their single-family home neighborhood, the SU students heard Cohen explain the relationship between planning, zoning, crime, enforcement and tax dollars.
“As I explained to the city council before I became a part of it, good planning and zoning is a foundation for quality of life that is often taken for granted,” Cohen said. “For example, it’s what keeps the fish packing plant from being erected right next door to your home.”
“When cities are designed well, when transportation modes and paths encourage economic development rather than poverty, much less has to be invested in enforcement matters. When zoning codes are routinely enforced, fewer dollars and resources have to be put toward fixing what was allowed to get broken,” Cohen explained.
Cohen also noted that the City of Salisbury Comprehensive Plan Community Input Meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6-9 p.m. at the new Salisbury Fire Station 16 on Cypress St. The public is encouraged to come be a part of the process.
“As I explained to the city council before I became a part of it, good planning and zoning is a foundation for quality of life that is often taken for granted,” Cohen said. “For example, it’s what keeps the fish packing plant from being erected right next door to your home.”
“When cities are designed well, when transportation modes and paths encourage economic development rather than poverty, much less has to be invested in enforcement matters. When zoning codes are routinely enforced, fewer dollars and resources have to be put toward fixing what was allowed to get broken,” Cohen explained.
Cohen also noted that the City of Salisbury Comprehensive Plan Community Input Meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 13, from 6-9 p.m. at the new Salisbury Fire Station 16 on Cypress St. The public is encouraged to come be a part of the process.
Campbell’s Crime Task Force Subcommittee Leads the Way
Campbell has also been working on the Mayor’s Crime Task Force, leading a subcommittee that has been very action oriented. After conducting walks through city neighborhoods hardest hit by crime, the subcommittee began work on solutions. Part of the work also included the development of a web site so that members of the group can easily share articles, research, and links that will assist in reducing crime. The site is also available to the public. The address is www.salisburycrime.blogspot.com.
Other subcommittee accomplishments include:
•Identifying the top 5 residential addresses for calls for service in each neighborhood visited (maps are on the web site) and working with Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance (NSCC) to ensure that the properties are in compliance
•Bringing attention to the conditions at 600 W. Railroad Ave., where an inspection has now taken place
•Planning a trip to the Dover Police Department to discuss crime reduction strategies,
•Implementing an initiative targeted at reducing crime during the holiday season (Nov. 1 – Dec. 31), and
•Producing a Salisbury crime map that should assist residents in seeing where crime is occurring in our city so that we can work proactively with the police and to protect ourselves. This mapping service is available free to the city and can be viewed at www.spotcrime.com/md/salisbury
Special thanks is extended to the first and second group of subcommittee members: Carol Smith, Pat Gotham, Chief Ed Lashley…and new members Sheriff Lewis, Ryan Ewalt, Councilwoman Shields, and Reverend Wilson.
Other subcommittee accomplishments include:
•Identifying the top 5 residential addresses for calls for service in each neighborhood visited (maps are on the web site) and working with Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance (NSCC) to ensure that the properties are in compliance
•Bringing attention to the conditions at 600 W. Railroad Ave., where an inspection has now taken place
•Planning a trip to the Dover Police Department to discuss crime reduction strategies,
•Implementing an initiative targeted at reducing crime during the holiday season (Nov. 1 – Dec. 31), and
•Producing a Salisbury crime map that should assist residents in seeing where crime is occurring in our city so that we can work proactively with the police and to protect ourselves. This mapping service is available free to the city and can be viewed at www.spotcrime.com/md/salisbury
Special thanks is extended to the first and second group of subcommittee members: Carol Smith, Pat Gotham, Chief Ed Lashley…and new members Sheriff Lewis, Ryan Ewalt, Councilwoman Shields, and Reverend Wilson.
Campbell Moves Forward on Protecting the River
The following post is one of several issue updates being released today, tomorrow and throughout the week by Councilwomen Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen about work they have been doing on behalf of their constituents during a very busy period:
Councilwoman Campbell has continued to research solutions for filtration of storm water. After voting “nay” on the Waverly Drive” storm water project because the city would not include a method of filtering floatables before runoff from 225 acres poured out into the river Campbell began a quest to find a solution for filtration. Councilwoman voted “nay” as well for the same reason.
After months of research, she identified and researched a system that seems workable, both financially and environmentally, and has submitted her idea to the city. The cost of the storm water filtration inlets is actually less than the amount budgeted for traditional inlets for the project. For more information regarding the inlets go to www.clearwaterbmp.com.
Councilwoman Campbell has continued to research solutions for filtration of storm water. After voting “nay” on the Waverly Drive” storm water project because the city would not include a method of filtering floatables before runoff from 225 acres poured out into the river Campbell began a quest to find a solution for filtration. Councilwoman voted “nay” as well for the same reason.
After months of research, she identified and researched a system that seems workable, both financially and environmentally, and has submitted her idea to the city. The cost of the storm water filtration inlets is actually less than the amount budgeted for traditional inlets for the project. For more information regarding the inlets go to www.clearwaterbmp.com.
City Council Agenda Monday October 27, 2008
CITY OF SALISBURY
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
Meeting #19 October 27, 2008 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:06 p.m. PRESENTATION – Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman
• Salisbury Police Department reaccreditation
6:18 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA
• October 13, 2008 minutes 1a
• Resolution No. 1711 – accepting funds in cooperation with the Maryland Office of Highway Safety to provide for overtime reimbursement to police officers participating in DUI enforcement 1b
• Resolution No. 1712 – accepting a grant from the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions 1c
• Resolution No. 1713 – approving a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Legacy grant application for funds to provide for Phase 3 of the Isabella Streetscape project and funding for Phase 1 of the Mill Street/West Main Street pedestrian connectivity project 1d
• Resolution No. 1714 – reappointment to City Park Committee 1e
6:20 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Director of Internal Services Pam Oland 2
6:45 p.m. RESOLUTION – City Administrator John Pick
• Resolution No. 1715 - adoption of Flood Mitigation Plan 3
7:05 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
7:15 p.m. ADJOURN
The City Council reserves the right to go into closed session as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland 10-508(a)
Proposed agenda items for November 10, 2008 (subject to change)
• Resolution – Shore Transit lease renewal
• Resolution – accepting Emergency Shelter grant
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA
Meeting #19 October 27, 2008 6:00 p.m.
City/County Government Office Building Room 301
6:00 p.m. CONVENE – LORD’S PRAYER – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6:04 p.m. ADOPTION OF AGENDA
6:06 p.m. PRESENTATION – Mayor Barrie P. Tilghman
• Salisbury Police Department reaccreditation
6:18 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA
• October 13, 2008 minutes 1a
• Resolution No. 1711 – accepting funds in cooperation with the Maryland Office of Highway Safety to provide for overtime reimbursement to police officers participating in DUI enforcement 1b
• Resolution No. 1712 – accepting a grant from the Maryland Association of Historic District Commissions 1c
• Resolution No. 1713 – approving a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Legacy grant application for funds to provide for Phase 3 of the Isabella Streetscape project and funding for Phase 1 of the Mill Street/West Main Street pedestrian connectivity project 1d
• Resolution No. 1714 – reappointment to City Park Committee 1e
6:20 p.m. AWARD OF BIDS – Director of Internal Services Pam Oland 2
6:45 p.m. RESOLUTION – City Administrator John Pick
• Resolution No. 1715 - adoption of Flood Mitigation Plan 3
7:05 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS
7:15 p.m. ADJOURN
The City Council reserves the right to go into closed session as permitted under the Annotated Code of Maryland 10-508(a)
Proposed agenda items for November 10, 2008 (subject to change)
• Resolution – Shore Transit lease renewal
• Resolution – accepting Emergency Shelter grant
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Cohen on Reddish
Councilwoman Terry Cohen will be on WICO 1320 AM, the Bill Reddish Morning Show at 7:40 a.m. Monday October 20th.
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