While I knew about this a few days ago and perhaps it may have been Salisbury’s worst-kept secret, I’m honoring Bob’s request and delaying the official announcement here until this point in time.
Here’s what he wrote, in its entirety:
I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the office of Mayor of Salisbury.
In the past, this City has overcome several major challenges, including two historic fires that threatened the town’s very existence. Salisbury not only survived, but emerged much stronger, and it became a bigger and better town. That success was due to the strength of character of the citizens, and to the quality of leadership.
In recent years, however, things have changed. We have experienced large tax increases and much higher fees and charges (often with no warning) while our infrastructure has deteriorated and become overburdened. City government operates with little public discussion or input, despite the promises of “transparency”. Periodic proclamations of “lower crime” and “sound financial health” are seen as political posturing. To put it plainly – – new leadership is needed.
And now we face another significant challenge. This time, it is not caused by fire or other natural disasters but by a severely damaged economy. The city will have less tax revenue, increased demands for service, and a probable reduction in cash flow from funds other than real estate taxes. It will take the combined efforts of Salisbury’s excellent employees, a dedicated City Council, and a strong leader to guide the city through very troubled waters.
I am prepared to be that leader. My background and my history make me uniquely qualified to assume the position of Mayor. I have been actively involved in many volunteer projects benefiting the community. I have been a member of City Council, and served as its president. During my time on Council, we addressed significant issues, including election reform and city agency realignment, and we created and passed Salisbury’s first rental property registration ordinance. In both elected and volunteer capacity, I have been able to bring people together. “Together” is the only way we will survive and thrive in the coming economic storm.
The leadership of an organization determines the tone of an organization. Under my leadership, the City of Salisbury will once again have an open government, marked by a return to civility on all levels.
If the citizens of Salisbury grant me the privilege to serve as their Mayor, they can be assured that I will work hard, and I will work smart. I am prepared for the challenges, and am confident that by confronting issues with Rational Thought, Experience, and Common Sense, I will effectively lead Salisbury for the next four years.
For Questions Contact:
Robert M. (Bob) Caldwell
1014 Evergreen Ave
Salisbury MD 21801
410-251-2799 (Cell)(Emphasis in original.)
The Superman reference in my title is to a hat he often wears in public – certainly it allows me to pick him out in a crowd. As a cancer survivor, Bob does have that qualification for wearing the hat and perhaps he’s just the Clark Kent the city needs – arguably he’s the most politically experienced candidate running in the race.
With this announcement, the field for the city’s chief executive grows to four and now includes Caldwell along with current City Council Vice-President Gary Comegys, auto salesman Mike Della Penna, and onetime City Councilman and current member of the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee Jim Ireton, who to date has had the most visible campaign.
Ireton is also the Chairman of the moribund Wicomico Neighborhood Congress, which oddly enough is planning a meeting on January 27th. Prior to that, the last scheduled meeting of the WNC was last August but that gathering was postponed indefinitely. According to my records, the last WNC meeting was April 29, 2008 – admittedly I may not be on their insider mailing list but I’ve kept their previous e-mails and attended the previous large-scale gatherings (last April, January, November 2007, and the September 2007 organizational meeting.) My guess is that there’s another WNC meeting scheduled shortly before the city elections.
While there’s still a week until the filing deadline and candidates have been known to wait until the last minute to get involved, it appears the mayoral field may be set. With the open seat caused by current Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman deciding not to seek another term, 2009 could mark the most exciting city election in decades.
