When Government Tramples The Rights of Property Owners....

A most unfortunate situation is arising in the City of Salisbury, our government - particularly the office of the Mayor - are instituting Nazi like tactics against law abiding, tax paying, responsible citizens.  During his campaign Mayor Ireton vowed to crack down on non-compliant Rentals, clean up our city, reduce crime, clean up our river (swimmable & fishable in 10 years), among other things, leading us all to Utopia.  So far he has not been very successful in his quest.  He is gaining success though, on shutting down converted rental units.

In a featured article in yesterday's Daily Times titled  "Salisbury rental war takes another casualty" Home Owner Karen Marshall has been ordered to evict a tenant that lives in a one bedroom apartment over her garage.  Ms. Marshall bought the property because she saw the apartment as a great way to help offset the cost of her mortgage.  Her tenant also has a great opportunity to save on an apartment in a very nice neighborhood.  Yet, in the great wisdom of those who make decisions and think they know what is best, they decide this horrible situation must end.  It is a danger to our city, the rental industry is destroying everything we hold dear ......... whatever.

We have debated about FBI crime statistics and the false impressions they can imply.  Every city in America has a crime problem.  Anyone who implies crime is not that bad is foolish.  Yet, what are people supposed to think when the very government that writes and enforces laws cannot get it's story straight and in the end makes a decision that detrimental to the rule of law?

I certainly understand that rental properties need to be in good, livable conditions.   Property owners should take the extra step of screening people who will be living in their rentals.  Property owners also reserve the right to include certain requirements and expectations in the contracts that they have tenants sign.  However, we must understand that People Commit Crimes, Not Houses.

The other dynamic that Salisbury has, is we are a University town.  70% of the living space in Salisbury is rental, however 50% of single family homes are primary residences.  Certainly we want as many people to own homes as possible, that is a good thing.  We also have to understand that not everybody is in the position to own a home for a variety of reasons. 

Many in the Camden neighborhood feel invaded by a growing University.  Salisbury University has acquired nearly all the homes directly around it.  Many homes have been converted into rentals to help sustain the needs of a growing Student Body and what comes with that.  People have made the decision to sell homes and move elsewhere or let go of homes they have inherited, or turned them into rentals themselves.  Times change, neighborhoods will change, even the very City we live in will look different in 20 years.  We have to understand that.

Many scenarios have led where we are now.  However, I do not believe a Government Entity has the right to tell you what you can do with or on your property, within limits of how it would affect another person's property.  What is Liberty and Freedom in this great country when a government over reaches and sticks it's nose where it does not belong.  This is also another situation where we have too many laws and too many people who think they know better.  I do believe we need rules and regulations but there comes a point when these laws over extend and destroy the very thing we all hold dear - liberty.

Muir Boda