Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ Watched Salisbury’s City Council yesterday on the city’s website. The big story from city council was Mayor Paul Woodson, of the state’s recognized “gay mecca”, once more gave a wishy-washy excuse that Salisbury’s LGBT Pride Festival was “too controversial”. This is Woodson’s 4th shot at bat where he’s failed to issue the proclamation due to its alleged controversy. Yesterday he suggested that city council should vote “next year” on whether to give the proclamation. Woodson claimed that other city councils in North Carolina vote on proclamations concerned with issues of controversy.
Probably it occurred to many in yesterday’s city council audience: “Why didn’t Mayor Woodson put such a vote on yesterday’s agenda? Why next year?”
Yesterday Woodson outdid himself saying the “proclamation” was the most controversial issue he has seen in his 18 years on City Council. Since the last city council meeting he claimed he received hundreds of phone calls and emails from both sides of the issue. Reading a prepared script, Woodson said: “This is why I have this policy not to issue proclamations regarding matters of controversy. While I respect all different views of this issue, my goal as Mayor is ensure we find ways to bring our community together rather than create a divide among opposing viewpoints.”
So speaketh the Mayor–the healer of all rifts and champion of bringing our communities together. I trust nobody’s bs meter imploded yesterday.
My question is why any group would desire to darken their festivities with a proclamation from an individual who heretofore has shown no talent for either governance or coherent thought.
During yesterday’s public hearing concerning Salisbury’s “recommended” fiscal year budget for 2015-2016 Dee Dee Wright and Clyde nailed it.
Clyde told City Council he was against the proposed $.75 cent stormwater fee hike to $5 dollars. He called the fee a scam that needs to be stopped. (Editors note: How many of you in the Bury actually have a stormwater runoff or one that even functions?)
Dee Dee Wright reminded City Council they need to hire more police officers even if it means raising taxes. She also added that the police department needs body cameras for all its officers. Body cameras did not appear in the recommended budget.
The South Main Bad Lands by Marina Bare (below):
