During the last election the citizens of Wicomico County (and the rest of our country) went to the polls to vote. The results of this vote IS a mandate by the people. It reflects their will. When these mandates are issued, it is the OBLIGATION of those elected to put forth the effort necessary to make these mandates happen. This premise is the basis of our Constitution which was drafted over 200 years ago to assure that "We The People" would remain in control of a nation without tyranny.
In Wicomico County this isn't happening. Prior to the last election, the Deputies from the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office and the Fraternal Order of Police set off on an endeavor to educate the public on the issues that prevent them from having a voice in obtaining a comprehensive disabiliy plan which would protect their families should they be injured or killed while carrying out their duties. The only way to assure that this protection would be put in place and REMAIN IN PLACE would be to grant Collective Bargaining to the Deputies, thereby binding the County by contract to implement this type of plan and maintain it. The voters of Wicomico County agreed - overwhelmingly. Over 71% of Wicomico County residents who voted agreed that this was the proper way to go. A mandate from the people.
Now I don't know about you, but most of the residents with whom I come in contact everyday seem to be intelligent people. They seem capable of making good decisions. This being the case, I don't buy into the opinion expressed by my Councilman, Councilman Holloway, when he told me that he doesn't believe the people knew what they where voting for! Ok......and what part of the Constitution gives any elected official the right to second guess a vote of the people? Do we second guess their vote on the election of people? No. In a legal election a vote of the people is final. Regardless of the personal opinions of our elected officials, once a mandate has been made through a vote of the people, they should get behind it and MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Councilman Cannon had, some time ago, issued a response which, in my opinion, is an eloquent attempt to circumvent the will of the people. What's more is that it is costing the taxpayers of Wicomico County good money. The Wicomico County Council is spending the taxpayers money to fight attempts to enforce the will of the people. How much? Well....it cost the taxpayers $7500.00 to have high paid attorneys from Baltimore draft legislation which failed to enforce the spirit and intent of what we voted for. Rick Pollitt recognized that and vetoed the legislation. The council promptly overrode the veto, signing into law legislation that falls grossly short of the intent of the people. In addition to the $7500.00 mentioned above, it has so far cost the taxpayers of Wicomico County $7700.00 more to have lawyers from Baltimore try to justify to the courts why the voters of Wicomico County shouldn't have a voice. My understanding is that later this month, these lawyers are scheduled to meet with a Judge to discuss how much time they will need to convince that Judge that the vote of the people in Wicomico County doesn't matter. CHA-CHING!
$15,200.00 so far - and it's not over. It's going to be interesting to see the grand total when it's all done. I'll bet one could buy a lot of pens. Fix a few roads? Buy some new text books? Put another Deputy on the road? Give County employees a little more in their paychecks every week? Accountability and fiscal responsibility Council? Indeed!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
15 comments:
Maybe the council members who thought that the voters didn't know what they were voting for should consider that the voters also did not know who they were voting for, either.
Granddad I have to agree with you. That Holloway guy is one scary character. He makes irrational comments and decisions based upon nothing. Where is he coming from. I hope you can do much better. I want my vote back.
Those deputies should demand an "Ed Baker deal" from the County.
Rick Pollitt would understand that and get the two RINO's (Cannon & Barkovich) to vote with the 3 Democrats to pass it.
Voters are not going to get the referendum on the ballot either,unless we start a write-in campaign now.
As I recall from John Cannon's explanation, the way the initiative was worded it cannot legally apply to the County Council. The fault here is not with the County Council but with those who were sloppy in drafting the initiative. Considering that Joe Holloway has been one of the sharpest budget hawks on the County Council, I think your criticism of him is unfounded. Perhaps you should give him the opportunity to explain his views.
I was invloved in the State Collective Bargaining process for several years. Granting Collective Bargaining to the Deputies does not guarentee them a comprehensive disability plan that would protect their families should they be injured or killed in the line of duty. That would be one of the benifits on the table for collective bargaining. That is not a guarentee that it would be agreed upon by all parties. Both sides have to be flexible and not demanding. Demanding things in collective bargaining is not the meaning of this process. It is a give and take process. What are you willing to give up to get what you really want. Being self -centered in demanding things is not considered bargaining in good faith by either side. When bargaining, all aspects have to be considered includung the cost. In this situation they might have to decide what they want to sacrifice to get this comprehensive disability plan.
Concerned retiree,
You're absolutely right and the Deputies understand that. It's the whole purpose behind the effort. But now it's a moot point until the Deputies are granted what the citizens voted for.
Grand Dad:
You seem to fail to understand that, according to a legal opinion on this issue, making collective bargaining binding on the County Council violates the county charter. If this is so (and from what I've read it seems clearly true) then the Council did exactly the right thing. The people who drafted the initiative dropped the ball on this one. Don't blame the Council for actually trying to follow the law.
Here's what John Cannon had to say in defending their action: http://sbynews.blogspot.com/2008/01/john-cannons-speech-on-tuesday.html. It seems like a very reasonable perspective taken by the Council.
Grand Dad said...
Concerned retiree,
You're absolutely right and the Deputies understand that. It's the whole purpose behind the effort. But now it's a moot point until the Deputies are granted what the citizens voted for.
1:59 PM
Holloway voted against the deputies and they supported his election. I hope they don't support him in the next election.
This discussion about collective bargaining tells me the County is entering into an area they feel very uncomfortable with. That means they are not in full control. First thing is deal with the legality of the situation. If there is violations of a charter, then the voters and all parties involved have to realize that their vote is nullified and must be brought back up for another vote after the legalities have been corrected. I find FOP or who ever is represeenting the Deputies and the County Lawyer to be incompetent and not wanting any type of Collective Bargaining or they would have corrected or closed all loop holes before making it a referendum. The Deputies have to realize this takes time and the harder they push the less they are going to get. They also do not have control of this situation , which they do not like either. they need representation that is honest with them and constantly misleading and deceiving them. Because ofthe Charter violation, they have no Collective Bargaining as of now period.
Marc,
I, too, read the charter. Unless I missed something I don't find anything at all that precludes the Council from being bound by a collective bargaining requirement. In fact, if memory serves me, I recall that the whole argument made by the council hinges on the meaning of the word "County". Does the word "County" refer to the County exec. or the Council. This is reminiscent of the infamous Clinton answer ......what the meaning of the word "is" is. This, too, is just a crutch used to prop up an attempt to bypass a mandate of the voters. Am I wrong in my understanding that the County Charter was supposed to be amended as necessary to permit collective bargaining? If I'm not wrong than it appears that the charter could not have been violated.
And Marc, you stated "Considering that Joe Holloway has been one of the sharpest budget hawks on the County Council, I think your criticism of him is unfounded."
First of all Joe made a statement to me which spoke volumes about how he feels about his constituents. I just repeated his statement and gave my opinion of it. If you think that my criticism was unfounded - well that's your opinion and you're entitled to that.
Second ......Sharpest budget hawks? Why? Because he brought to everyones attention $500.00 worth of pens purchased as gifts to some board members? I'll tell you what, Marc. Since you brought this up I'm gonna go the extra mile. I'm gonna dig into something and get some figures together. I wasn't gonna do this but you brought it up. See ya soon. By the way....are you Marc Kilmer, President of the Republican Club?
Grand Dad said...
And Marc, you stated "Considering that Joe Holloway has been one of the sharpest budget hawks on the County Council, I think your criticism of him is unfounded."
First of all Joe made a statement to me which spoke volumes about how he feels about his constituents. I just repeated his statement and gave my opinion of it. If you think that my criticism was unfounded - well that's your opinion and you're entitled to that.
6:09 PM
I have to agree with Granddad, Holloway is ignorant and thinks he knows what is best for the citizens. He is always mean looking and when he knocked on my door during the election he scared me. I thought he was a hobo. I got ready to call the sheriff's department because I thought some homeless person was at my door begging. He was begging alright. Begging for my vote and I made a mistake. He is one of the worst people on that council and I won't vote for him again. I hear he is a high school drop out and won't even talk to the school teachers.
Anonymous 9:37:
I'm a High School drop out too. Let's see, I doubt very seriously you know anyone around you who is more successful than I am. That being said, what does being a High School drop out have to do with anything? Let's see, Joe is on the County Council serving YOU for peanuts. IMHO, he's more successful than you are and that in itself is proof. I may not always agree with Joe but give the man credit where credit is due and look in the mirror the next time you criticize another High School drop out. Just ask my Financial Advisor.
I'm not a huge fan of Joe Holloways but I will give credit where it is due.
He busted Gary Mackes on the cost of replacing the roof. He busted him again with the $23 pens. So he is paying attention to where the money is going, somewhat.
Joe also ran his own business for years in Parsonsburg. It was a run down General Store type place but he still made a living there. Not so bad for a high school drop out. I do not encourage dropping out of school by any means. Education is the only thing no one can ever take away from you. However, give credit where it is due.
Besides, some of these college educated people could use some education in life skills. All that education and they're still dumber than a clam. Gary Comegys is a prime example.
And Joe you should be very proud of yourself. You have accomplished alot. Not to mention you serve the people for peanuts as well.
Keep up the good work.
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