Tax referendum petition update (and comments)

Under the category of "let the people decide", which I also used for my 2006 election links, I got the same e-mail as many of my fellow Salisbury-area bloggers did. Thanks Donna.

According to the note, the petitioners will be out on Thursday (tomorrow), Friday, and Saturday at the front entrance of the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center. Petitions will be available from 7-9 a.m. and 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. each day as well as 5-7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Just as a reminder, by signing the petition you are only allowing the measure to be placed before the voters.

Thus, it does NOT mean you're stiffing the firemen or police officers of a raise if you sign the petition, nor does it mean that the zoo, the so-called "heart and soul" of Salisbury, will have its staffing number slashed if you place your John Hancock on the line. It just means you have a choice in the matter and the tax increase can be debated on its merits, whether the additional costs out of the pocket of Salisbury residents, both homeowners and renters, are justified for the amount of services that are provided by the additional revenue.

Personally, I think Debbie Campbell and Terry Cohen have taken more than enough crap for simply questioning the wisdom of the mayor's budget overall and some of the specific line items within, particularly the blind support of the Salisbury Zoo exhibited by many at Tuesday's City Council meeting. I'm sorry, Eleanor Mulligan, but certain departments have more fat or less of a priority than others so the axe falls most sharply on those areas. It's the same regardless of government level.

I also have a bone to pick with John Robinson regarding the zoo's economic impact. Until someone can prove that more than 200,000 people attend the zoo over a year, I still contend the Shorebirds have as much if not more economic impact than the zoo does. While both draw heavily from the local area, I contend that the Shorebirds are more of a "destination" because I know fans from the close-by visiting teams like Hagerstown and Lakewood make the trip here - even a few Lake County fans attended the last homestand. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ward Museum didn't draw more people from farflung areas than the zoo does.

(Odd thought - how about the zoo as a branch of a college-level program in animal-related fields? It would be sort of like the agricultural research center that's west of town.)

But back on topic here. So far we've had a vast tax-wing conspiracy going on. First Barrie came out against it, then the cops harassed the petitioners at the Salisbury Festival, the Daily Times questioned the wisdom of the petition drive, and this week those folks got a nice twofer by using the emotional appeal of Debbie Campbell (the red-headed stepchild of City Council) playing the Wicked Witch of the West by throwing helpless zoo animals into the street.

So obviously there's a need for more signatures, otherwise we wouldn't have this final APB for signers. It's unfortunate that I don't live in the city anymore because I'd sign it and distribute it - however, I'm of the understanding I can't.

We have a 17 percent property tax increase and $800 office chairs on one side, and prudent cuts made so priority items may still be fully funded on the other. Salisbury, use your brain. Allow it to work your pen hand and sign the petition!