Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ “Kill the body and the head dies with it.” Joe Louis, the former heavyweight champion providing sagacious wisdom on defeating ring opponents or incumbents in a reform campaign
Yesterday toward the end of Salisbury City Council’s information meeting meant to “school” candidates, a large shark fin suddenly appeared in a campaign that begs for reform-minded candidates. Smiling, Todd Paris, an attorney and candidate for city council, stopped the show and asked if questions would be allowed. City Manager Lane Bailey said yes.
When city staffers completed their presentations, Paris in a prosecutorial tone asked Police Chief Rory Collins to come to the front of Council Chambers. Collins waddled up to the front, his eyes glazing over.
“Chief how many unsolved murders do we have in Salisbury?” asked Paris.
“Uh…5.”
“5?”
Paris quickly corrected the Chief letting him know there were 10 unsolved murders since 2013. Collins was clearly off balance and confused when Paris pressed him to name the 10 murder victims. Collins went mute for several seconds before he admitted he didn’t know the answer. At this point Paris pounced on the chief with questions about his pay. The candidate-prosecutor continued breaking down Collins whose thoughts fell into disarray. In the background the incumbent city council’s mouths dropped. Maggie Blackwell glared at Paris.
“Do you work part-time at the housing authority?” asked Paris.
“I do” replied Collins in a clipped voice.
“Do you make enough money as the Police Chief?”
The chambers grew silent. Several heads shook among the candidates. Collins had the look of an abused animal and said nothing.
“Let me withdraw my question,” said Paris. “While we do have 10 unsolved murders, you work a part-time side job. Right? Do you know if the Sheriff of Rowan County works a part-time side job? Or the chief of Kannapolis?”
Next Paris moved onto the subject of Police Department turnover and then to the number of open positions. Collins was forced to admit the turnover was large.
Paris’s questions opened the door for other solid questions by Kenny Hardin, William Peoples, and Roy Bentley. Finally City Manager Layne Bailey came to Collins rescue and told the audience about the city going through some difficult budget issues. Collins looked relieved as returned to his former seat. The questions turned elsewhere.
**Hopefully the RFP will post MP3’s, of yesterday’s session, if we can improve their sound.**
