Photos from Mayor Ireton's Press Conference

Remarks from Mayor Ireton's Press Conference

CITY OF SALISBURY
PRESS CONFERENCE
MAYOR JIM IRETON’S REMARKS
JULY 29, 2009

I am honored today to join with our local and federal partners to announce funding to help us reduce crime here in Salisbury. Salisbury, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the Federal Stimulus program, has been awarded $795,000 dollars for the hiring of 4 Salisbury Police officers. Many thanks to the officers here in our police department that applied for this money, and to my partners in fighting crime – the Salisbury City Council who endorsed the application – for without their leadership, today would not have become a reality.

The COPS program, Community Oriented Policing Services, since 1995 has invested $12.4 billion to help law enforcement advance the practice of community policing and has enabled more than 13,000 state and local agencies to hire more than 117,000 police officers and deputies across the nation. As the Department of Justice has said, because community policing is inclusive, COPS Office training also benefits state and local government leaders and the citizens that they serve. Now, those benefits have reached Salisbury. As the Department of Justice asserts, moving from a reactive to a proactive role, community policing represents a shift from more traditional law enforcement practices. By addressing the root causes of criminal and disorderly behavior, rather than simply responding to crimes once they have been committed, community policing concentrates on preventing both crime and the atmosphere of fear that it creates.

We have much to thank our partners in government for. Last week we announced $147,000 for our CSAFE initiatives in both our Church Street and Westside neighborhoods through Governor O’Malley’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention. We thank Governor O’Malley and our federal partners, whose representatives have joined us today.

My friend and congressman, Frank Kratovil, had this to say, “This is an example of federal stimulus money flowing directly into our cities and towns to create jobs and essential services. When our streets are safer we all benefit, from local businesses to school children.”
Governor Martin O’Malley, whose office called this week to let me know of the award, said, “There is no greater or more solemn obligation that we have as public servants than the protection of our citizens.” Governor O’Malley, Congressman Kratovil, and Senator Mikulski recognized our need here in Salisbury as the $795,000 grant was the third largest in the State of Maryland, and 60% of the allocation for the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Senator Mikulski said it best, “This means saving jobs and saving lives.”

This $795,000 puts Salisbury’s total of federal stimulus grant and loan money at $5 million to date. I applaud the work of staff at City Hall for making certain that we are documenting every penny spent, so the public knows that we take the responsibility of investing President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act money seriously.

On a personal note, any assistance from any agency is greatly appreciated. I made a promise this past spring to begin to make Salisbury the safest city in Maryland. I promise to work with Council President Louise Smith and the rest of the City Council to put together budgets that prepare for the time when these officers become our own.

Today is a great day for law enforcement in our city, so congratulations go out to our police chief and our officers in the Salisbury Police Department. Let this day be another reminder to our citizens that we are committed…from our leaders on Capitol Hill, to Annapolis, to here at City Hall, including our City Council and your Mayor, to reducing our crime rates and making this city a much safer place to live.

Mayor Ireton to hold press conference tomorrow at 10am

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2009
CONTACT: Office of the Mayor
410-548-3100
SALISBURY MAYOR TOHOLD PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW AT SALISBURY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Salisbury Mayor James Ireton, Jr., will hold a press conference at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29, 2009, in the first floor conference room of the Salisbury Police Department, 699 W. Salisbury Parkway (at the corner of Route 50 and Delaware Avenue).

Mayor Ireton will talk about the announcement made earlier today by Governor Martin O’Malley, along with Vice President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder, regarding a major American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding announcement for law enforcement agencies across the nation.

In Maryland, eight police departments are receiving a total of $23.2 million as part of the COPS Hiring Recovery Program of ARRA. The City of Salisbury will receive funding for 4 police officer positions for a total of $795,068.

COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) grants provide 100 percent funding for three years of entry-level salaries and benefits and are awarded to localities and/or police departments to hire or rehire additional career law enforcement officers.

Democratic Club of Worcester County event

Judge Sonya Sotomayor approved by Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor by a 13-6 vote Tuesday, along almost perfect partisan lines and after two hours of debate.

All Democrats voted for Sotomayor, President Obama's first nominee to the high court. All Republicans except Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, opposed. The nomination of Sotomayor, a 17-year veteran of the federal bench, now goes to the full Senate for a vote. That is likely to be held the week of Aug. 3, just before the Senate leaves for its summer recess.

Graham said he was backing Sotomayor partly because he believed President Obama, having won last November's election, deserved wide latitude to make appointments within the judicial mainstream. Graham deemed Sotomayor "well qualified," of "good character" and within "the mainstream."

Sotomayor would be the first Latina justice in U.S. history. "Now that's a big deal," Graham said.

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The Wicomico County Democratic Club would like to congratulate Judge Sotomayor on being approved by the Judiciary Committee. We know she will make a great supreme court justice once she is confirmed by the full Senate.

The full article may be found here - http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/judicial/2009-07-28-senate-sotomayor_N.htm

Tawes Clam Bake Photos

Kim Kratovil talks with Susan Turnbull and Tyler Patton

County Executive Rick Pollitt arrives at Tawes

Rick Pollitt having a conversation

Rick Pollitt meets with Councilman David MacLeod

Tyler Patton, David Sloan, and Mayor Ireton have a laugh

Tyler Patton shares a laugh with Mayor Ireton

Governor Martin O'Malley enjoys a laugh with people in the tent

Governor O'Malley talks with Mayor Ireton

Lt. Governor Anthony Brown talks with constituents

Lt. Governor Brown poses with club president Chuck Cook

Delegate Murray Levy comes by the tent

Salisbury Mayor Ireton arrives at Tawes

Mayor Ireton takes a picture with head of the Maryland Democratic Party Susan Turnbull

It was great to see so many people come out to our tent

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot stops by to say hello

Ernie Leatherbury and Chuck Cook pose for a photo while David Sloan looks on

Chairman Norm Conway enjoys local corn and talks with other people in the Democratic tent

Here are some of the photos taken at yesterday's Tawes Clam Bake. If you have any photos you would like us to put up from yesterday, email them to wicomicodems@gmail.com

Tawes Clam Bake

Yesterday was the 33rd annual Tawes Clam Bake in Crisfield and the Wicomico County Democratic Club wants to thank everyone that came by our tent. Our tent was visited by many state and local officials including:

Governor Martin O'Malley
Lt. Governor Anthony Brown
Comptroller Peter Franchot
Appropriations Committee Chairman Norm Conway
Delegate Jim Mathias
Delegate Murray Levy
Delegate John Wood
Salisbury Mayor Jim Ireton
Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt
Wicomico County Councilman David MacLeod
Wicomico County Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes
Salisbury City Councilman Gary Comegys

as well as representatives for Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin and Congressman Frank Kratovil. We were also joined in our tent by several members of the state Democratic Party, and Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack commander and Chair of the Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee Ernie Leatherbury.

The crabs were hot, the beverages were cold, and the company was great. Thanks to everyone who made this great day possible and we look forward to seeing everyone next month for our crab feast.

Lower Shore Young Democratic Club

The Wicomico County Democratic Club is excited to announce that a new young democrats chapter has been created on the lower shore.

The Lower Shore Young Democrats are currently looking for interested members. Anyone who is under the age of 36 may join. You can reach the Lower Shore Young Democrats at lowershoreyoungdems@gmail.com in interested in joining or if you have any questions.

New Wicomico Democrats Email Address

The new email address for the Wicomico County Democratic Club is wicomicodems@gmail.com.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Tawes Crab Feast Tickets for sale

The Wicomico County Democratic Club has tickets to the Tawes Crab and Clam Bake for sale. This is always an amazing event, and by purchasing a ticket you will be able to eat in the Wicomico Dems personal tent. Tickets are $40, please email us at wicomicodems@gmail.com if interested.

The Tawes Crab and Clam bake will be held on July 15th in Crisfield.