No Labels Hot Topics Of The Day

TIME IS RUNNING OUT. TAKE ACTION: Demand that Congress support a Super Committee compromise.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE: "The decision of the supercommittee goes beyond just the budget. It's become a symbol now of the ability of our elected representatives to get something done," says Frank Newport, editor of Gallup. Shaili Dewan and Julie Creswell for The New York Times: Low Expectations, and Trepidation, Over Meeting a Debt Deadline

TWO REPS SAY PROGRESS TRUMPS PARTISANSHIP: Congress could get things done, argue Reps. John Carney (D-DE) and Jim Renacci (R-OH), if it would occasionally put country before party. Rep. John Carney and Rep. Jim Renacci for The Washington Post: Opinion: Take it from two freshmen: Bipartisanship in Congress is possible

PAT TOOMEY -- KEY COMPROMISER? Many believed that conservative freshman Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) would be towing the party line on the Super Committee. Instead, Toomey has emerged as a key compromiser, presenting a plan that some Democrats say they are willing to discuss: Manu Raju for POLITICO: The transformation of Pat Toomey

'SUPER' ANGRY: Occupiers and Tea Partiers don't agree on deficit policy. Groups on both sides, however, are upset with Congress' inability to get anything done: Janie Lorbor for Roll Call: Left and Right Protest Movements Target Super Committee

THE LIGHTS STAY ON, FOR NOW: The Senate passed a minibus appropriations bill yesterday that included a continuing resolution to keep the government running through Dec. 16: Jessica Brady and Humberto Sanchez for Roll Call: Senate Overcomes Conflicts to Pass Minibus

Meet Your New Salisbury City Police Chief Barbara Duncan

I got to meet Chief Duncan for the first time tonight and spent a few minutes talking to her one on one and I was impressed. She seems like a very no nonsense kind of person who will be able to handle herself quite well. Chief Duncan said getting a handle on the area and it's crime problems is her #1 priority and thanked her husband and family for being so supportive of her during this entire process.

I have great hopes for our new Chief and believe she will handle her job well and might even impress some of the doubters out there. She has my 100% support and I told her that last night as I have always been supportive of the SPD. I hope everyone will give her a chance to do her job and support her like I will be doing. Congrats Chief Duncan and good luck


One year ago Chief Duncan was sworn in and wow time has flown, but she is doing a great job and I just wanted to say congrats Chief.

Join Me From 1-1:30 as I answer your questions On Meebo

Due to the popularity of the 15 minutes last night I will once again be taking questions from 1-1:30 this afternoon on meebo. Scroll down the right side and you will see the Meebo box.

Tree Lighting Tonight!!!

Tonight is one of the nights I look forward to most during the season. I will be out tonight at Third Friday and the tree lighting to enjoy the beauty of the season as we welcome it to Salisbury. Come Downtown and say hi and join me for this great event.


The annual tree lighting ceremony in downtown Salisbury will take place during 3rd Friday, on Nov. 18.

 The program will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on the Government Office Builidng steps with performances by the Cathedral of Love Ministries Children's Choir, the Liturgical Dancers from St. James AME Zion Church: Youth, Angels and Rising Angels, and Moves of Praise.

 Santa will be stopping by for the tree lighting, which will occur at 6:30 p.m. He will be escorted to the GOB by the award-winning James M. Bennett Drumline and brass section.

 After Mayor Jim Ireton and County Executive Rick Pollitt announce the lighting of the downtown holiday tree, Santa will stroll down the plaza to the City Center building where he will stay for the remainder of 3rd Friday for children to stop in and give him their wish list for Christmas.

 The GOB will have the blue candles in the windows, facing Route 50, to honor those fallen officers that ultimately lost their life serving and protecting.

 In addition to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, also present this 3rd Friday will be the March of Dimes, the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Salisbury University clubs and the AI&G Fall Members Show.

 Another featured event is the 12th annual Holiday Art & Craft sale and silent auction to benefit visual art scholarships for high seniors, hosted by the Cavallaro/Cleary Visual Art Foundation.

Feldman's Demolition?

What are your thoughts on the Feldman's building being ordered demolished. Would you like to see the Gillis group fix it up or tear it down

The Charter Amendment My Final Thoughts

As the clock runs down on the Referendum signature gathering to undo the change to the Salisbury Charter amendment I want to give my final thoughts on the matter.

It really is much simpler than it is being portrayed. The founding fathers of our City who wrote and put our entire City Charter together through many revisions decided that we would have a strong Mayor form of Government and that the City Solicitor would work under the Mayor not the Council. For the Council Majority with 15 minutes discussion and only 4 days notice to the public with no public forums for citizens to voice their opinions changed our City Charter. This is the heart and the root of the problem.

Who should the Solicitor work for? Well you can make arguments either way but the only reason this entire episode transpired is shown below.



On June 8, 2011, at 11:48 am, Ms. Cohen sent an email to the Council, the City Clerk and Assistant City Clerk, and the City Solicitor (neither the Mayor nor his administrative staff were copied) indicating that the City Solicitor was available for a meeting to update the full Council to provide an update on litigation. She provided two time frames from which to choose, with no indication that either would exclude participation by the Mayor or his staff. Exchanges occurred and the meeting time was set for 9:00am the following day. Only when the City Clerk sent a confirmation email, was the Mayor and City Administrator copied and made aware of the impending meeting. 


 The Mayor responded: "Council President Cohen - Paul Wilber will not be meeting with you this morning. 1 day notice, and the fact that Mr. Pick did not know and I only found out late last night is unacceptable. Mrs. Cohen - This government is not your domain to do as you like and your ability to work with anyone on the administrative side is now in question. When you can schedule a closed session with more than 24 hours notice to the public and the administration, we would be happy to participate. Again, had Mrs. Smith engaged in this little in the way of transparency to the public, you would have been very angry...whether she followed the rules or not. Again, when you can schedule something as important as legal issues so that all who represent the city can be prepared and participate, we will. Good day. Jim I."


It is clearly shown above that Terry Cohen was the one trying to exclude the Mayor and the City Administrator from a closed door meeting to discuss pending litigation. How in the world she felt that the 2 people that run the City should not be invited to get an update from Paul Wilber is ridiculous. Jim even says give us more than 24 hours notice and we will be happy to participate, what more could you want. He wasn't saying no just for them to be fair about it. This shows the entire process was set in play because Debbie and Terry had their feeling hurt and wanted to get back at Jim for this, it's that simple. We will show him Terry, I can hear the conversation now.

To make a huge change like that to the Charter of our great City with this as the motive is a slap in the face of our founders. Let the public have the say whether they want it done this way or not, not because 2 people get their feelings hurt and drag a third one in with them to take the Solicitor away. Terry Cohen wasted MONTHS and 10 grand in fees over a Dump Truck she thought was done illegally only to find out she was wrong as usual, but only needs 4 days to change a City Charter? Common sense shows this is all personal payback and when immaturity like this on our Council is what makes policy we are in big time trouble.

Please consider signing the petition to send this to a referendum to give the citizens the chance to decide what they want, that is all we are asking. If the majority of people vote that way, great the people have spoken, but let it be the people's choice as it has always been intended.

Laura Mitchell will be out tonight at Third Friday and the tree lighting to get signatures and will also have  someone at Giant Saturday as well as the drive up signature gathering at Sage Diner Saturday from 7am -3pm just drive up, sign and go that simple.

Tree Lighting Tonight!

CCART Annual Art Show and Sale Art will be displayed in the Powell Building Plaza thru November 30th. Unique gifts form local artisans for sale. Artists and Muscians Wanted! Are you an artist or musician? Have an interesting craft or hobby to display or items for sale? Contact the 3rd Friday Committee for information on becoming part of the next 3rd Friday in Downtown Salisbury at 3rdFridaySby@gmail.com. Thank You to All of Our Third Friday Participants Market Street Inn Kuhn's Jewelers Parker Place Velvet Pearl Serenity Bloomie's Art Institute & Gallery SWAC Beauty In Motion CakeArt Enza's Organic Salon Salisbury Skate shop Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Sushi De Kanpai Chesapeake East Season's Best Antiques Yum's Cafe St. Peter's Church Gallery 101 Body Pro Dear 3rd Friday Fans, 3rd Friday in Downtown Salisbury is Friday November 18th from 5 - 8pm, and it's a great time to come Downtown, for great shopping, dining, and to get in the Holiday Spirit. To kick off the Holidays, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be taking place at 3rd Friday, at the Government Office Building. The program will begin at 5:30 with performances from Cathedral of Love Ministries Children's Choir, the Liturgical Dancers from St. James AME Zion Church: Youth, Angels and Rising Angels, St. Francis de Sales choir and Moves of Praise followed by the lighting at 6:30. The City Center Building is proud to hold the March of Dimes 2011 Festival of Trees. Be sure to stop by this 3rd Friday to see the amazing holiday décor designed by over 50 combined local businesses, organizations and talented individuals that will be on display November 19th-December 1st to benefit the March of Dimes and their mission to give every baby a healthy birth through education, advocacy, research and community grants & outreach. Santa will also be there to welcome the kids, take Christmas wishes, and pose for pictures; and 3rd Friday Artists will also be on display. This 3rd Friday is one of the final days for the CCART Annual Art Show and Sale in the Vernon Powell Building, a great place to find unique gifts from local artisans, all while helping to provide visual art scholarships for local high school seniors. The Art Institute and Gallery will be holding the closing of their 2011 Fall Members show along with a "turkey class" for kids. SWAC will be on the plaza with a special fire-twirling program, and fall crafts for kids as well. All the shops and restaurants will be open with special sales, and 3rd Friday is pleased to announce that the wait is over! Mojo's Restaurant will be open, serving light fare from 3pm to midnight, and will be open until 2am. 3rd Friday is pleased to welcome another new business to the Downtown area, and is looking forward to lots of good times at Mojo's! 3rd Friday is designated as a City Event, and is an all-volunteer effort. Visit www.3rdfridaysby.com for more information. See You Downtown at the 3rd Friday on October 21st! Sincerely, 3rd Friday Committee Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District