Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ Yesterday a nightmare fastball came screaming across the county’s plate. Several sources are circulating the story that if Downtown Salisbury ONLY’s candidates somehow prevailed over the County’s favorites Jim Sides and Joe Coladarci, that Doug Paris might well become the next County Manager.
Almost anything is possible in this region of the world. Know that if Jim Sides, Joe Coladarci, and Chad Mitchell, the retiring county commissioner, were replaced by 3 Downtown Salisbury ONLY commissioners, some odd scenarios might occur. Judy Klusman for instance promised to sell the West End Plaza so the new commission regime can take the money and buy up downtown property. (Judy once proudly boasted several years ago that she subscribed to Fibrant’s “Firstep” TV, an array of broadcast channels–basically over-the-air antenna channels. This package by itself costs about $37–somewhat cheaper if someone buys it coupled with TV or phone. She seemed petulent when I informed her she could get the same broadcast channels for FREE with a cheapo digital indoor antenna. In fact an indoor antenna receives full screen 1080P HD.) Okay I question Judy Klusman’s judgment especially about selling a potential prize like the West End Plaza or paying for FREE antenna channels.
So what might change if Doug Paris became the county manager?
• If the county suffered a failure in one of its departments, it might be “creatively” spun as a grand success. You know like Fibrant’s monumental failure leaving a trail littered with millions in indebtedness and millions siphoned from the city’s general funds. Yet Doug claims Fibrant turned the corner and made a small profit. And even has 25% of Salisbury’s market share.
• County employees may cringe at the arrival of the “boy explorer” said to okay wrongful terminations of senior employees. The county doesn’t have League of Municipalities insurance to cover the cost of suits.
• To give the appearance of a glowing budget in one department by shifting its employees and their salaries to another.
• The public may look forward to a governmental lack of transparency and worthwhile replies to Freedom of Information Act Inquiries.
• A lack of First Amendment freedom for County employees to criticize the county government.
• Potential vendettas in an attempt to quell opposition and folks not down with the county’s programs. Risky business because it almost always creates enemies and covert retaliation. Word gets around.
• Colorful newsworthy quotes here, on Twitter, and in the Post.
A video clip where the city manager speaks about the Hessian like quality of municipal and city managers:
