2007 Salisbury City Council wrapup

As promised, today I’m going through some of the basics for each candidate. It’s one final chance for the readers to compare and contrast. Since my name’s always toward the bottom of any alphabetical list, I’m going to be contrarian and stand up for us “bottom of the ballot” folks – thus, Tim Spies goes first. The information is exerpted from campaign literature supplied by each candidate.

But first, I noticed in the Daily Times last week that Keith Wright, an also-ran in the primary, is running again as a write-in candidate. As the candidate himself wrote in a letter to the editor about his experience and qualifications:

“I was a volunteer at the Holly Center and received an award for more than 2,500 hours volunteering. At this time, I was also volunteering at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

I have been involved with numerous clubs and organizations, including a youth association for retarded citizens and children with special learning disabilities. I assisted the Baltimore Opera while it performed at Parkside High School. I am certified as an emergency medical technician and CPR instructor.

I received the Rotary Club Award and the year prior, the Soroptimist Club award while a student at Parkside High School. I attended summer classes at University of Maryland Eastern Shore, then attended Salisbury University with a major in psychology. I went on to be employed by numerous group homes and state agencies, working mainly with children, and have worked as buyer for an organization with responsibility for approximately $50,000 of the budget.

I have been employed by several agencies as a police officer and process server; I have been a private process server for more than 25 years.”

Also, there is another write-in candidate, Ashley Oakley.

Now, the candidates on the ballot Tuesday:

Tim Spies

Slogan: Seeing Through The Citizens’ Eyes

Background: Area resident for 25 years, lived in Salisbury the last 13. Combined 27 years active and reserve service in the Navy, holds a Bachelor in Science degree from SU in Nursing. Also is current president of the Camden Neighborhood Association. Retired.

Key issues: Public safety, strong neighborhoods, adequate police pay, growth and development, respect for citizens.

Louise Smith

Slogan: none.

Background: Educator in Maryland and Florida, grew up in the area (Wi-Hi graduate) and returned after finishing her teaching and administrative career in the Sunshine State. Associates degree in Art Education (Southern Seminary Junior College), Bachelors degree in Fine Arts (Maryland Institute of Art), and Master’s degree in Education (University of South Florida). Also is current president of Canal Woods II Condominium Association, and former member of the Wicomico County Republican Central Committee. (Her WCRCC involvement is not noted on her literature, I’m adding that as a current member.) Retired.

Key issues: Accountability and fiscal responsibility, public safety.

Don Ewalt

Slogan: For a future you can be proud of vote for Don Ewalt.

Background: Coast Guard veteran, Bachelors Degree from the University of Baltimore, former member of the Wicomico County Board of Education. Retired pharmaceutical salesman, currently a real estate agent part-time.

Key issues: Inclusive government, effective delivery of services, focus on planning.

Gary Comegys

Slogan: Commitment, Community, Caring

Background: Member of City Council since 2003, only incumbent seeking another term. Works as an Area Engineer for Construction, Maryland State Highway Administration, and represents Salisbury in the Maryland Municipal League. Gary is also currently a board member for Habitat for Humanity. A former volunteer fireman (now a Life Member) in Salisbury, Gary also was the President of the Board of Directors for the local Humane Society for five years.

Key issues: His record on City Council. Among his accomplishments, he states that he started the first program to convert rental housing to owner-occupied, instituted the first capacity fees for water and sewer service, and managed to increase starting salaries for police officers and fund additional paramedics and fire facilities and equipment without raising taxes.

Terry Cohen

Slogan: Putting Citizens First

Background: Area resident since childhood, Salisbury resident since 2003. B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Businesswoman, she’s a member and onetime president of the Salisbury Business and Professional Women organization, and was honored by the group with their “Young Careerist” award in 1981. Terry is also active in the Salisbury Independent Neighborhood Alliance, We Care About Wicomico County, Girl Scouts, and her child’s school. Partner in a software development company.

Key issues: Crime, pay for first responders, growth, affordable housing, quality of life, open government.

John Atkins

Slogan: none.

Background: Longtime area resident, attended the University of Maryland and graduated from Wesley College, where he was selected Alumni of the Year this year. Worked as a facility engineer, and teaches Industrial Trades at Wor-Wic Community College. John is Certified as a Plant Engineer and Energy Manager. Active in the Lions Club and St. Peter’s Church.

Key issues: As John states on his literature, his goal is, “As a city council person to continue to help the city grow and partner with the outstanding organizations of Wor-Wic, Salisbury University, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, and the Community Foundation.”

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As far as candidate endorsements go, the situation has developed where there are two teams being endorsed, with a few prominent locals throwing explicit support behind the incumbent Gary Comegys. Supporting Terry Cohen, Louise Smith, and Tim Spies are the main local bloggers (including monoblogue), the Salisbury Career Firefighters Association, 2007 candidate Neil Bayne, and former Council members Bob Caldwell and Carolyn Hall.

On the side of John Atkins, Gary Comegys, and Don Ewalt are Mayor Tilghman and 2007 candidate John Harris. Also, while Richard Insley and SAPOA haven’t officially endorsed any officeseekers, Insley made it plain in a recent letter that he’s supporting candidates Atkins, Comegys, and Ewalt.

Also as mentioned above, a few current and former officeholders have taken the time to explicitly endorse the re-election of Gary Comegys. In the last week, this group has included current councilman Mike Dunn, former Salisbury City Councilman Michael Day, and Fruitland City Council president Greg Olinde. Two others on the current council, Lynn Cathcart and Shanie Shields, have been seen indicating their backing of Comegys as well.

And I think someone has gotten my point about the total blog readership. A commenter to today’s Daily Times article on the election noted:

There are so few people who even bother to read all of the drivel on the blogs (emphasis mine) that it cannot possibly make a difference in the election. And even those that do read them understand that posting personal attacks and exposure of a candidate’s private problems are rooted in personal vendettas and hidden agendas of the Web Loggers.

Using the term “alternative media” to describe the local web logs is a crime against the King’s English. The local web logs are read by so few people that it is ludicrous to think that they could effect (sic) an election, the people that write that tripe already know how they are going to vote.

Well, I have news for you, my skeptical friend. You obviously don’t read monoblogue (as you should!) Please tell me where there has been an attack on any candidate here that wasn’t part of an overall issue. Being against the giveaway of $15 million in tax dollars and noting that some candidates support that is not a personal attack. To extend the point to certain revelations about some candidates, those are fair game too. I’m on record as not being wild about some of what’s said as not germaine to the election, but much of what’s written in the “mainstream” media in letters to the editor and biased articles – well, the same may be said about that.

I noted in my last post that 6% of people read blogs daily. Given that turnout in the primary was just 13% and people who read these blogs tend to be on the more motivated side (which explains why far more Republicans than Democrats read these, in my opinion), we’re talking about potentially 1/4 to 1/3 of the electorate here for this election (assuming 20-25% turnout.) That, my dismissive friend, is quite a voting bloc to be contended with.