Delmarva Dealings

Political Dealings In And Around The Delmarva Peninsula

Barrie Comegys - Bubba as Dubya

As we prepare to see a new President come in to office, it is interesting that Gary Comegys (the man who wants to be Salisbury’s next Mayor) shares many traits with our outgoing President.  Bubba seems to have a lot in common with Dubya.  In all fairness to President George W. Bush, Comegys has actually been a worse steward of Salisbury than Bush has been of the country.

Under the Bush administration we have seen the size of government swell to new, and distressing, heights.  Under the poor stewardship of Barrie Tilghman and Gary Comegys, spending on the bureaucracy of the Mayor’s office has skyrocketed.  The City Attorney has padded his pocket while citizens are ignored.  Laws are written to protect special interests at the expense of average citizens.

The nation’s debt has risen dramatically under Dubya.  With the complicity of Gary Comegys, Barrie Tilghman has managed to saddle every man, woman and child in Salisbury with almost $3,000 in debt.

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Media Monday - 081117

The Daily Times has now become its own worst enemy in their efforts to elect Barrie Comegys Mayor of Salisbury.  Good reporting by a seemingly competent reporter only highlights the ridiculous bias by one of their less-than-competent scribes.

Last Wednesday we were treated to Laura D’Alessandro sticking her byline on a Comegys press release.  We were told that Gary Comegys is for community policing and is going to be fiscally responsible.  I also voted for Barack Obama and his pal Wayne Gilchrest this year.

Sunday we were treated to a rare thing in the Daily Times - real political reporting.

Ben Penserga’s piece on Jim Ireton’s announcement of his candidacy was what all pieces on city politics should be.  It gave the facts.  It also tried to tell the whole story.

Rather than just give Ireton’s point of view, it discussed Ireton’s previous service on council and the fact that he only served 16 months.  This is valid information.

I don’t know Penserga.  Perhaps he is new and his bosses haven’t trained him in the joys of “he said - she said” journalism and printing press releases from Barrie Tilghman or her minions verbatim.  But while it lasts, Daily Times readers will begin to ask themselves:

“Why do we get facts when the paper writes about Mr. Ireton and articles on Barrie Comegys read like a PR piece?”

I think Joe (Carmean) and Erick (Sahler) need to either train Mr. Penserga fast or put another reporter on the beat.  Real journalism just won’t do in the land of Barrie.

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Jim Ireton Announces for Mayor …

… With a Unique Blend of Rhetoric and Substance

Anyone who attended Jim Ireton’s announcement that he was running for Mayor had to be impressed.  Ireton’s well thought out speech hit on the major problems facing Salisbury and Ireton presented common sense solutions to solving them.

The most important thing to note about Ireton’s speech was an almost unique blend of persuasive rhetoric and substantive policy recommendations.  Ireton accomplished this because he is truly passionate about Salisbury and in solving the problems facing a once great city.  There was nothing “over the top” about anything he said.  Instead Ireton focused attention on 5 issues:

Ireton’s approach is well studied, without any rash proposals.

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Barrie Comegys / Daily Times Campaign for Mayor Continues

The Daily Times campaign to elect Barrie Comegys Mayor of Salisbury continues.  At least the paper put today’s piece of tripe on the op-ed page as opposed to their previous piece of mis-statement and fabrication which was portrayed as reporting.

Today’s piece, purportedly authored by the Barrie Comegys himself, was laughable in its inaccuracy.  It appears as if Comegys is taking the platform of Councilwoman Debbie Campbell’s re-election campaign and simply substituting his own name for Campbell’s:

Together we can make our streets safer.

Comegys has opposed almost every effort to reduce crime in Salisbury and increase funding for law enforcement.  Citizens need to be reminded that it was Comegys who was in full agreement with the Tilghman administration in closing all police substations (except in the area where the Mayor and her husband own commercial property).  The man who claims to support “community policing” was the man who gutted the concept in Salisbury.

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US House - Principle or More of the Same?

Are the Republican members of the US House serious about taking back the majority? … or saving their own skins and egos?

It’s obvious that Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is more worried about his ego.  Leadership under Boehner has been little better than that under disgraced former leader Tom DeLay.

If Boehner were half as principled as he claimed he would resign his leadership post.  Any attempt to move the GOP caucus to a principled position on the political spectrum will simply not be possible under Boehner.  His past willingness to sell out fiscal conservatives means that the public won’t trust a House caucus lead by him.

It is ironic that Boehner has jumped on the bandwagon endorsing Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) for Conference Chair.  I guess that Boehner believes that backing a real, live, principled conservative for the number three spot in the leadership will somehow make up for his betrayal of the principles that brought us to the majority in 1994.

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Daily Times Endorses Comegys for Mayor

Today Salisbury City Councilman Gary Comegys is expected to announce his candidacy for Mayor.  If this wasn’t so serious for the taxpayers of Salisbury it would actually be amusing.

Think back a year.  When Councilwoman Debbie Campbell criticized the administration for failing to “balance the city’s checkbookâ€, it was Comegys who viciously attacked  Campbell.  Yet, we learned a couple of months later that the city actually was unable to balance its checkbook – to the tune of over $10 million.  Ironically, we learned just yesterday that the administration of Mayor Barrie Tilghman, one of Comegys’ staunchest ally, has again petitioned the state of Maryland for an extension in completing the city’s audit for this past fiscal year.

This is just a portion of the record of a man who believes he is fit to be Mayor of this once fair city.

Higher taxes, more wasteful government spending, higher water and sewer rates, a crime rate that boggles the mind, and an overall degradation of city services – these are just a few of the things that have occurred under the stewardship of Gary Comegys and Barrie Tilghman.  As one condo development is going up for auction and another has sold only a fraction of its units Comegys wants to sink millions of tax dollars into the North Prong boondoggle.  As unemployment rises, it is the policies promoted by Gary Comegys which are driving the few businesses that want to move in to Salisbury OUT.

Now the Daily Times has come out with a de facto endorsement of the same old tired and grossly ineffectual policies.  By printing today’s farcical article by city reporter Laura D’Alessandro, the Daily Times has made it clear which side they are taking in this battle for the literal soul of a once great city.

“Candidate is for community policingâ€?  Comegys supported shutting down the police substations which were the heart of a community policing effort.

“He (Comegys) said he hopes to find areas to save revenue (in the budget) …â€?  What has been Comegys’ record on city fiscal policy?  Tax increases.  More wasteful spending on the bureaucracy of the Mayor’s office.  A $10 million white elephant for the fire department and plenty of “big toys†for “big boysâ€.  The list goes on and on …

After the disgraceful stewardship of Barrie Parsons Tilghman, can Salisbury seriously contemplate four more years of the same?

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Congratulations Congressman-Elect Kratovil

Congratulations Frank Kratovil.  At noon today, Maryland Sen. Andy Harris stood before the Wicomico County Courthouse and announced that he had spoken with Frank Kratovil earlier today and congratulated him on his election to the US House.

Beginning his remarks with words of thanks to our veterans, past and present, Harris wished Kratovil and his family well as he began the task of representing Maryland’s First District in Congress.  Harris stated that this campaign was a (sometimes heated) debate over the issues facing America, Maryland and the District.  While the election was close, the voters had spoken.

Harris reminded us of his parents’ flight from communism in search of liberty.  Where else but America could a child of immigrants grow up to become a physician, serve in the state legislature and seek election to Congress?

As a fierce Harris partisan, I too wish Mr. Kratovil and his family well on their new journey.  While I expect that there will be severe, and even heated, disagreement over issues during the next two years I am obligated to acknowledge that Frank Kratovil fought a hard race.  He waged a good campaign.

I want to also thank Andy Harris for waging a campaign based on conservative principles.  While Frank Kratovil and his family will be in the prayers of Andy Harris and his family, both the Harris and Kratovil families will be in the prayers of both myself and my family.

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Thank You - Bonnie Luna and Cynthia Williams

While I have criticized the structure, the relative apathy, and the lack of a cohesive philosophy of the Republican Party in Maryland, one highlight of this election year was the headquarters set up by the Wicomico County Republican Club and the Wicomico Republican Central Committee.

The WCRC and the local central committee paid for the facility.  Many of us volunteered to staff it.  However, this operation would not have functioned without two people - Bonnie Luna and Cynthia Williams.

From the more “glamorous” tasks of hosting convention watching parties or “Grand Opening” functions to the far more mundane (and decidedly unglamorous) tasks of keeping the HQ clean, taking out the trash, seeing that it was staffed and everything in between, we depended on these two women.  They performed above and beyond the call of duty.

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Congratulations President-Elect Obama

I had hoped to put this up first thing in the morning, but I had to go to Crisfield.

Last night was an historic event.  America elected an African-American as our next President.  While I have long predicted that the first woman, and the first African-American Presidents would be Republicans I am obviously wrong on at least one count.  There were no riots in the streets.  The sun rose this morning.  Our flag still has 13 stripes and 50 stars.

On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will be MY President.  He is to be congratulated for this great accomplishment.  He and his people ran a nearly flawless campaign.  Whether we agree with his policies or not, he will be OUR President - worthy of our support and respect.

Does this mean that I won’t be criticizing a President Obama?  Of course not.  Whether we have a President Obama for four or eight years, I will be an outspoken member of the loyal opposition.  As President-Elect Obama floats trial balloons and President Obama attempts to formulate and implement policy these proposals will have to be analyzed and either supported or opposed.

In all honesty, I am more worried about the Republican party right now than I am a future under President Barack Obama.  Here in my own little corner of the world, I can joke with my friend Ernie Leatherbury (Chairman of the Wicomico Democrat Central Committee) and congratulate him on a job well done.  I can call up my friend Jim Ireton (another Democrat Central Committee member) and congratulate him.  Yet, the First District election is not even decided yet and I am seeing mean spirited attacks on fine people from within my own party (in print and in person).

There are people in the Republican party who I disagree with on certain things.  That’s fine.  I disagree with my Democrat friends on almost everything EXCEPT - we all care about the future of our country.  We just disagree on the best way of going about it.

On November 14th we should know who won the Congressional race.  If Frank Kratovil wins, I will congratulate him.  If, as I hope, Andy Harris wins I will congratulate him.  In either case, I will respect both men (and their staffs and volunteers) for waging a hard fought campaign.

In the meantime, we need to accept the fact that those who supported a winning candidate will want to crow about it.  We shouldn’t take it personally - unless the attack is personal.  Even then, we should be a little more forgiving.

Campaigns are (relatively) easy.  Governing is hard.  The real battles begin in January.

Starting tomorrow, I will begin boring you with a series of thank you’s, along with the normal banter.

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The Principled Campaign of Frank Kratovil

Congressional candidate Frank Kratovil, like most liberals, whines like a two year old every time his record is challenged.  Yet, it is he and supporters who are reaching for new lows in First District politics.

First, area Democrats rampaged through the Salisbury area defacing Andy Harris and McCain/Palin signs.  Now the Kratovil campaign is using their phone bank operation to spread false information about voting hours to Republican voters.

Imagine if Republican volunteers did what Frank Kratovil is doing - calling voters and telling supporters of your opponent that the polls are open until 9PM?  We’d have every left wing group from the NAACP to the ACLU screaming for the FBI!  There would be cries of “Voter Intimidation”.  We would have a Congressional hearing all schedule for the first week of January.

Yet, this behavior is perfectly acceptable when a liberal like Frank Kratovil does it.  Why not?  After all, it’s for the children.

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Kratovil Joins Team Obama …

… Where’s the “Independence” Frank?

While Frank Kratovil is mailing GOP, moderate Democrat and independent households telling them that he”s “Independent” and a “Tough Prosecutor”, this is what’s being distributed to heavily Democrat, primarily African-American neighborhoods on the Lower Shore:

Frank Kratovil has signed up for TEAM OBAMA! Was there ever any doubt?

Kratovil has publicly endorsed Obama’s “tax plan” which isn’t tax cuts as much as it is taking from those that pay taxes and redistributing it to those that don’t.

Kratovil promises “Universal Health Care” - a nice euphemism for health care rationing and a government takeover of another 13+% of the nations GDP.

Kratovil promises to end “Big Oil’s Free Ride” - another leftist euphemism for confiscating the profits of corporations which employ hundreds of thousands of Americans.  If you thought $4.00 / gallon gas was tough, wait until it rises from its current, relatively low levels to $6, or $8, per gallon.

I have to give Frank and his masters at the DCCC credit.  While he’s been telling the majority of us that he’s a “Tough Prosecutor” - while taking money from the attorney of a child molester who is now free to attack our children again - Kratovil is finally starting to tell the truth (if only to a portion of voters).

Frank Kratovil -

Part of Team Obama
Pledged to do the bidding of Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Barney Frank
Committed to SPREADING THE WEALTH

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Andy Harris for Congress

On Tuesday we all have an opportunity to participate in one of our most basic freedoms – the right to vote. In Maryland’s First Congressional District, the choice of who we should vote for is clear – Andy Harris.

Harris personifies what our founders envisioned when our Founding Fathers were writing the Constitution. He is a true citizen legislator. A physician and professor at Johns Hopkins, Harris didn’t need to get involved in partisan politics. A Commander in the Navy medical corps, “service†wasn’t an issue. He already served his country – well. Andy Harris saw a need in the Maryland Senate. The district where he had lived for twenty years was being represented by a man who reflected neither Harris’ values nor the values of a majority of his fellow citizens. Rather than sitting idly by and complaining, Harris tackled the tough task of unseating an incumbent from his own party.

As Rep. Wayne Gilchrest continued to exhibit, more and more, his natural liberal tendencies, Harris saw the necessity of challenging an 18 year incumbent. Attacked and vilified, Harris never wavered in his stance on the key issues facing Maryland’s First District, and America.

Whether it is lower taxes to encourage job creation or fighting bureaucracy to promote economic growth, Harris has stood firm on economic principles. Whether it is his commitment to protecting innocent life or standing up for the traditional family, Harris reflects the values of the vast majority of voters in the First District. Attacked by every environmentalist group in Maryland, Harris continues to stand firm for true energy independence – including increased domestic supply through offshore drilling. While we have never heard Harris evoke the sainted names of Reagan and Goldwater, Harris’ principles and actions prove that he is one of a few genuine heirs to their legacy.

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Kratovil Joins Team Obama …

… Where’s the “Independence” Frank?

While Frank Kratovil is mailing GOP, moderate Democrat and independent households telling them that he”s “Independent” and a “Tough Prosecutor”, this is what’s being distributed to heavily Democrat, primarily African-American neighborhoods on the Lower Shore:

Frank Kratovil has signed up for TEAM OBAMA!  Was there ever any doubt?

Kratovil has publicly endorsed Obama’s “tax plan” which isn’t tax cuts as much as it is taking from those that pay taxes and redistributing it to those that don’t.

Kratovil promises “Universal Health Care” - a nice euphemism for health care rationing and a government takeover of another 13+% of the nations GDP.

Kratovil promises to end “Big Oil’s Free Ride” - another leftist euphemism for confiscating the profits of corporations which employ hundreds of thousands of Americans.  If you thought $4.00 / gallon gas was tough, wait until it rises from its current, relatively low levels to $6, or $8, per gallon.

I have to give Frank and his masters at the DCCC credit.  While he’s been telling the majority of us that he’s a “Tough Prosecutor” - while taking money from the attorney of a child molester who is now free to attack our children again - Kratovil is finally starting to tell the truth (if only to a portion of voters).

Frank Kratovil -

Part of Team Obama
Pledged to do the bidding of Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Barney Frank
Committed to SPREADING THE WEALTH

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Desperation at Kamp Kratovil, Hypocrisy on the Leftist Front

It seems that Frank Kratovil’s people are getting a little uptight as we move closer to Tuesday’s election.  While Kratovil whines about his record as a prosecutor is being made public, the propaganda arm of his campaign is moving in to overdrive with specious attacks on Andy Harris’ character.

We’ve seen a small group of local doctors attempt to claim that even physicians support Kratovil over one of their own.  We need to look at the motives of these “care givers”.  Evidence suggests that this small group would actually benefit from the socialized medicine scheme advocated by Kratovil.

Fortunately, local physicians rallied against the specious claims made by these individuals.  In just a few hours they put together a piece explaining why Andy Harris is the best proponent of health care for Eastern Shore residents.  As word spread, many more doctors asked to have their names included on the letter.  Unfortunately, the Daily Times had a deadline of 5PM Thursday.

These physicians explained Kratovil’s support of trial lawyers who drive up the cost of health care while contributing nothing to patient care:
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$1.6 Million for …. Indepenence?

The DCCC has pledged to spend $1.6 million to get their pal Frank Kratovil into Congress.  Given the huge sum and the far left leanings of the DCCC leadership, we have to chuckle at their latest ad:

INDEPENDENCE?

Sure, that’s what the DCCC is paying for.  Of course, you also have to consider the source …

The Baltimore Sun - have they ever endorsed a conservative candidate?

The Annapolis Capital - another bastion of mainstream views.

The Star Democrat - one of their sister publications just printed a fraudulent ad from “Republicans for Obama” and their publisher refused to print a letter denouncing the deception.

The Daily Times - attempted to smear Andy Harris with a false story, under a false byline which they were forced to correct.

I’m sure that we could expect a Congressman Kratovil to be almost as “independent” as the papers that support him.

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