SALISBURY, MD – Last week we outlined Salisbury mayor Jim Ireton’s actions regarding the $1.4 million FEMA grant for the fire department. In Jimmy Ireton’s world, scoring cheap political points far outweighed public safety. One week has passed. We are one week closer to next spring’s city elections. Ireton is pulling another cheap political stunt.
This week we are told that Ireton is seeking to raise the annual salaries of Salisbury police officers by approximately $4,000. Is he really? Sadly, NO. Instead, the brave, hard working men and women of the Salisbury PD are being used as so many political footballs.
While Ireton and councilwoman Laura Mitchell bask in the Obamaesque glow of the Democrat National Convention and help to cement their places as Salisbury’s liberals-in-chief, Ireton is attempting to play games with the lives of Salisbury’s police officers and the safety of its citizens. By refusing to provide the RESPONSIBLE members of the city council with basic information such as the city’s year end cash position and how much money was returned to surplus at the end of FY 2012, Ireton is again attempting to goad the council members into voting against this latest proposal. WHY? To score political points on Jimmy’s ROAD TO RE-ELECTION!
Citizens should ask a couple of questions questions:
MILTON, DE – The Milton Town Council has approved the re-zoning of 40 acres adjacent to the Dogfish Head brewery to allow the Milton-based brewer to build a new warehouse and bottling line. While there was 
SALISBURY, MD – Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B) has authored an 
GEORGETOWN, DE – The Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission has proposed a new scheme to permit small developers to begin construction without having to post a performance bond. Under the proposed rules a bond would not be required if improvements are completed prior to lots being sold or a developer could begin construction of a subdivision and only have to post a bond if the improvements are not yet completed, but the developer wishes to begin selling lots.
CENTREVILLE, MD – The Office of the State Prosecutor may be looking into irregularities in the gathering of signatures for a petition to place a referendum on the ballot in Queen Anne’s County. The referendum would determine whether or not Queen Anne’s County can host “big box” stores. The petition drive was in response to action by the Board of County Commissioners to eliminate a size limitation of 65,000 square feet for any store built in the county.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland governor Martin O’Malley has 
Maryland Sen. E. J. Pipkin (R-36) calls O’Malley’s order the “height of arrogance”:
Del. Mike 
Over here on the Eastern Shore we are constantly told that environmentalists want to “preserve our agricultural heritage”. Usually that means stripping farmers, foresters, and other large landowners of their property rights. We’re told that taking away a farmer’s development rights will magically increase the value of his or her land … despite the fact that such a notion violates a basic law of economics. We’re told to look across the Bay to see how such restrictions work. OK – let’s look.
DEWEY BEACH, DE – A group of Dewey Beach property owners are fundraising to assist in their lawsuit against the town. A group of four property owners are suing the Town of Dewey Beach, Dewey Beach Enterprises (DBE), and Ruddertowne Development, Inc. to invalidate an agreement between the town and DBE which allows the company to re-develop Ruddertowne in excess of the town’s 35 foot building height limitation.
SALISBURY, MD – Land use, more importantly – who gets to control it, is becoming a top-tier issue on Delmarva. In Delaware, the state 
ANNAPOLIS, MD – A task force appointed by Maryland governor Martin O’Malley has recommended a compromise to the administration’s proposal to strictly limit or even ban the installation of new septic tanks. The panel, chaired by Del. Maggie McIntosh (D-43) has called for a four-tier approach:
CENTREVILLE, MD – The Queen Anne’s County Board of County Commissioners may ease development restrictions which are currently part of the county’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO). Commissioner Phil Dumenil has proposed an amendment which would decrease the level of service requirements for schools, roads, and other public infrastructure before development could commence.
PIKESVILLE, MD – County officials from throughout Maryland attended a conference hosted by Carroll County Commissioner Richard Rothschild regarding the probable effects of PlanMD on the state’s rural areas.
