I received a call earlier today from Tom Field who stated that he looked into the lead paint issue and has assured me that there are no lead paint issues at the two schools with which the two citizens had issues. He further stated that he had conversation with the Principal Fruitland Primary in ref. to the paint chips. He stated that the maintenance people there will be going back to clean the area again this coming week. He added that the area that had been powerwashed which caused the paint chips will be repainted soon as well.
Mr. Field advised that he e-mailed the lady responsible for the Q&A segment which was to be posted on the BOE website. Prior to getting a response, he also contacted the webmaster who advised that he was not aware that a "Q&A" section was supposed to have been added. A short time later, the person responsible contacted Mr. Field and apologized stating that she didn't realize that it was a high priority. According to Mr. Field, she is now well aware that the issue is one of high priority and will be taken care of upon her return to work.
I can only attest to what I was told folks. I am not posting these things with the intent of pointing fingers. This is a civilized attempt to bring back the fundamental understanding that public employees answer to the taxpayer. Plain and simple. The taxpayers see these issues and want them fixed - they should be fixed not avoided. They only way to assure that this occurs is to bring it up and stay on it.
Now.......How many of you feel that that the word "Youth" is being systematically stripped from the "Wicomico Youth and Civic Center"? How many of you think that Wicomico County High School students should have their Senior Proms at the Civic Center instead of having to leave the county to go to UMES? Wasn't it donated to the County for the benefit of the youth of the county?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
16 comments:
Joe, you will do a great public service if you can make head-way on local proms being once again held at our YOUTH and Civic Center. To think that high schools have to go out of the County in order to be able to afford a venue for their prom must be fixed--you can do it!
I agree 100%
Fed Up
Funny you should ask the question about the Civic Center. If you go back and look at why the property was donated it was for the youth. There were conditions on the donation that there would never be alcohol sold on that property.Thus making it a safe clean place for out youth.The current leadership has got it stuck in his head that it is there to be a money making venture for the county. I for one think in is absolutely stupid for our high school students to have to travel to Princess Anne for a function because they have been ripped off by our own county. Its time the folks of this county to stand up to our leaders and put a stop to this for the good of our YOUTH. At the current rates on this place its a wonder anyone can afford it at all.
Granddad, There is simply no reason or excuses for the students of Wicomico County not to have their commencements at the property donated to serve the YOUTH of this county. Gary Mackes might as well start serving alcohol.Its not being used as it was intended.
It should be free or at a VERY minimal cost to local schools for proms and graduations. It is pure greed that keeps that from happening.
Where have we heard this before:
Anonymous said...
G-D:
Admittedly it's ugly, but does the paint situation pose a real hazard?
Are you an alarmist over aesthetics?
Anonymous said...
Do we know that it's "lead paint"?
10:54 AM
Back in my day we decorated our gyms to make it seem like it was not a gym. We fundraised our butts off as Juniors to make the Seniors have a wonderful sendoff. Not to mention we did all the work ourselves to put the pieces together with the help of our parents. Our class really came to gether on this and it was a great time!
Ya know Nick, that comment is very similar to the one made by tom Field earlier today. He said that over the years the senior proms have become increasingly extravagant. He wasn't being critical. He was making a point that the more extravagant the decorations, the more the entire thing costs, AND the longer it takes to set up. Have we spoiled our kids to the point that they are no longer happy with the simple things in life? If so, how does it plug into this equation?
When you are holding commencements at the civic center for the high schools in Wicomico County don't forget MARDELA IS IN WICOMICO COUNTY. We had to go to UMES for commencement. WHY did that happen?
It is important that everyone become educated with the facts relating to why the commencements or "Grand March" is being held where it is. I'm geting the impression that everyone doesn't understand whats going on. The way I understand it, every school does its own fundraising for the senior prom. If I'm correct, each graduating class conducts it's own fundraising efforts throughout their four years in high school. These funds are used for the prom. That being the case, the size and expense of each high school prom would be directly relative to the money raised by each one independently from any other high school. That being said, each class aspires to get the most bang for the buck so they shop around for the best price for a facility in which to hold their event. The lower the cost to rent such a place, the more left over for decorations, etc. The problem I see is that the cost to our high school classes for the rental of the civic center is way too high for them to afford. This causes them to go elsewhere. Now the way I understand it, each high school makes it's own choice on where to have their commencement. Is any of this incorrect? My goal is to get all the facts so that perhaps we can collectively offer a solution that get's this thing back into the YOUTH and Civic Center at little or no cost to the seniors. I don't have a problem with the students paying an amount for the electricity, water, etc., but to pay to use a building that sits on land donated to the county for the use by the youth of the county is ridiculous. What I also have a problem with is that everyone I talk to feels the same way yet the Civic Center remains too expensive for use by the students.
Allthough UMES does a very nice job I hear tell I think I would have just stayed home. I know it would have made many happy.
Asking Gary Mackes the cost of renting the facility for a prom would be a good first step. The junior class advisor at each of the four high schools can tell you the cost of the facility they're using this year, and comparisons would be easy to make. Mardela is using The Fountains.
Not only is the cost of the WYCC 3x UMES we are nickled and dimed for ever chair, table, and linen at excessive costs. Then we cannot bring in our own food or have our people serve - we have to pay their folks and use their catering. It is all about the money for WYCC.
10:28
It is so unfortunate to hear about the linens, food and service. I remember the parents doing all of that for the prom goers, and a great time was had by all.
The civic center will never come close to what UMES charges. All they charge for is the food. Plus the class gets to keep what it makes at grand march. Civic center takes that money. I should know I have been a SR advisor several times.
Anon 10:04
Thank you for that info. That's the kind of thing we need to know. So UMES doesn't charge anything at all for the use of the building? I'm trying to make sure I'm understanding that correctly.
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