SU alumnus to run for mayoral position

By Jonathan Moynihan

Staff Writer

Salisbury University could see its influence on the Eastern Shore increase even more if Jim Ireton is elected Mayor of Salisbury next March.

Ireton, an SU alumnus who graduated with an elementary education degree in 1992, was a resident of the Pocomoke and Severn Hallsas well as a member of the tennis team. As an active participant of the community and the current leader of the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress, he believes that the city must adapt to changing times and that he is an individual who can help the process.

"Salisbury needs a mayor that has the vision to lead as Salisbury grows in the greater metropolitan area," he said.

Ireton, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for Mayor in November and has been busy ever since. While he’s not campaigning, the 38-year-old works as a Wicomico County school teacher, where he is a 16-year veteran. He said that his years spent as an educator have prepared him for public office.

"Being a teacher has given me a unique viewpoint into the problems that communities face," Ireton said. "Being a teacher has prepared me for work in the community as an educator about, and advocate for, issues that affect daily life."

Neighborhood and community activism is what drives Ireton, he said. The need for action over apathy has encouraged him to run for Mayor. In addition to Ireton’s desire for growth in Salisbury, several other issues rank highly on his list such as the health of the Wicomico River and crime.

"What has made this so important to me is the fact that crime statistics are too high and now no one group is immune to their effects," he said. With e-mails being sent almost weekly about close-to-campus assault cases, safety is high on the minds of students and Salisbury residents. Recognizing the problem itself is not enough, Ireton said.

"The efforts of the past are not enough, and every stakeholder must come to the table with solutions and ideas for what they can do, not what they can’t do," Ireton said. He also hopes to change the political abuse of the students that has been evident in the past.

"Students cannot be used as political pawns," Ireton said. "Students cannot be used as a way to protect special interests."

Making connections between the students’ safety as residents of the community is one of the founding interests of his campaign as he hopes to re-connect the citizens of Salisbury with the University.

"The issues that the neighborhoods around the University face must be solved with students as a part of that solution," he said.

As Ireton continues his race to become Mayor, he wants to focus on establishing a fresh new relationship that unifies the community of the University and the citizens of the town.

"The concept of shared responsibility for our behavior, the conditions of our homes and rentals, and the idea that making Salisbury a safer and better place to live, rests on all of our shoulders," Ireton said.

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