This first installment of OPEN AGENDA for the second week of September is now available (S2 E42). We kick off this episode by pondering why only three Salisbury City Councilpersons attended the open session meeting this past week. Council president, D'Shawn Doughty, attended the closed work session but left before the open session began, apparently upset for reasons unknown. Why is there so much apparent dysfunction within the City Council and how is it impacting the functioning of City government?
We move on to discuss possible changes to city elections in Salisbury with community leader Kevin Lindsay. City elections are presently non-partisan, but conversion to a partisan system with primaries is now under consideration, which raises many questions. Will this limit the choices for mayor and city council? Will it further empower “establishment” candidates and the more extreme factions on both ends of the political spectrum? Will the voices of Independent voters (the fastest growing segment of voters) be diminished since they cannot vote in primaries, thus leaving us under the control of political partisans?
Mr. Lindsay also informs us about a fantastic youth baseball program being held at Billy Gene Jackson, Sr. Park. This program teaches kids the fundamentals of America's favorite pastime and is offered at no cost. Free meals are even provided at the end of each session! Besides being a heck of a lot of fun, this program helps kids to develop skills, learn teamwork and build character, thus setting them on positive paths for their futures.
Keep an eye out for another episode at the end of the week focusing on some disturbing actions by certain County officials that infringe on the ability of citizens to petition their government for the redress of grievances. Tune in and be informed.
