Todd Paris, Associate Editor and Salisbury Attorney
♦ In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, journalism sort of appears. The local “fish-wrapper,” erstwhile booster page of Salisbury City Council incumbents and staff, apparently bowing under the torrent of public discussion over Rory Collin’s deposition in Kenneth S. Lane v. City of Salisbury, has not commented on RFP’s coverage in this case. Once again they are a dollar short and two weeks late and heavily slanted to protect their “hero incumbents” on city council.
The jist of the article is to allow mayor Karen Alexander to disclaim all knowledge of City efforts to seal this deposition. God save the queen! Is she really that “out of touch?” Of course, Kenny Hardin wasn’t told anything about the matter, as usual. It’s clear David Post and Maggie Blackwell knew “something.”
What’s going on here? Our best guess is one of two things, either Ruth and Zack down at H-R were evidently directing the attorneys for the League of Municipalities and by passing City Manager Lane Bailey and that this is a job that they are absolutely unqualified to do. Neither had a prior background in H-R and it is quite clear that beyond creating a toxic environment for city employees, they are way out of their league. The second possibility is that the City Manager, able to count to 3, is deciding which council members get information and which do not and that completely violates his obligations to council and the community.
The other thrust of the article seems to suggest that Chief Collins twice daily use did not violate City policy, if approved by a supervisor however, is it quite clear it violated Police department policy. Posted below:
The most curious quote is from the City’s PR person who says that no specific person or entity asked that the record remained sealed. Really, must have been “Ida-Know” or “Not-Me.”
Opinion? The City Manager should inform all city council members about cases under litigation, not just Maggie and David. David, being an attorney and well equipped to helping with such issues, should make sure to carbon copy other council members. Finally Ruth and Zack should be fired. Council should count to three on this City manager as well. If Karen really didn’t know and Hardin was left in the dark and Post realizes what was going on, it may be time for a new manager. Perhaps hire someone to clean house down there and reverse the pervasive culture of dishonesty and secrecy that has grown out of keeping the Fibrant debacle secret for all these years.
Salisbury Police Policy Manual:
