Just when the County thought they had things under control, sh!t hit the fan again recently and some serious issues are once again at hand for the County Executive.
During the Landfill exposure I had continued to contact the County Executive's Office asking what was to become of the Press Conference on the West Side Collector Road. The response I would regularly get is, oh yeah, we need to do something about that. Well, that was several months ago and as I drive past it every single day, there's been NO PROGRESS and no Press Conference.
Being curious I did some more digging and with the help of some friends I was able to finally get the answer as to why things ave come to a complete halt. While the information I am about to provide is not a criminal issue as the moment, it could become one down the road and or your County Executive has some serious questions to answer under his watch.
While this Collector Road was being developed they came across an area in which they learned there was trash/debris underneath their path. There was much discussion as to whether or not they should relocate the path or remove the debris. I should say, this is what was told to me. I say that because ultimately while some are questioning how this all came about, it's important to recognize that there WAS some discussion about if they should relocate the road or not.
Now, that being said, SOMEONE made the decision to make a change order for somewhere between $600,000.00 to $700,000.00 to REMOVE the debris and relocate it. The County Executive's Office claims they knew nothing about it, yet there was discussion about relocating the road? The County Council says they know nothing about it. YET IT WAS DONE!
I do NOT believe that Mr. John Readen had the authority to simply go ahead and make a possible $700,000.00 change order and at this point and time, NO ONE knows who authorized such a change order!
So once again the Taxpayers have been uninformed and perhaps even screwed. Its my understanding that Mr. Rick Pollitt is extremely upset over this matter but he has been holding this information for almost two weeks now in the hopes of getting to the bottom of the problem at hand.
The taxpayers deserve answers as to what is going on and when we can expect to see this project move forward and closure.
During the Landfill exposure I had continued to contact the County Executive's Office asking what was to become of the Press Conference on the West Side Collector Road. The response I would regularly get is, oh yeah, we need to do something about that. Well, that was several months ago and as I drive past it every single day, there's been NO PROGRESS and no Press Conference.
Being curious I did some more digging and with the help of some friends I was able to finally get the answer as to why things ave come to a complete halt. While the information I am about to provide is not a criminal issue as the moment, it could become one down the road and or your County Executive has some serious questions to answer under his watch.
While this Collector Road was being developed they came across an area in which they learned there was trash/debris underneath their path. There was much discussion as to whether or not they should relocate the path or remove the debris. I should say, this is what was told to me. I say that because ultimately while some are questioning how this all came about, it's important to recognize that there WAS some discussion about if they should relocate the road or not.
Now, that being said, SOMEONE made the decision to make a change order for somewhere between $600,000.00 to $700,000.00 to REMOVE the debris and relocate it. The County Executive's Office claims they knew nothing about it, yet there was discussion about relocating the road? The County Council says they know nothing about it. YET IT WAS DONE!
I do NOT believe that Mr. John Readen had the authority to simply go ahead and make a possible $700,000.00 change order and at this point and time, NO ONE knows who authorized such a change order!
So once again the Taxpayers have been uninformed and perhaps even screwed. Its my understanding that Mr. Rick Pollitt is extremely upset over this matter but he has been holding this information for almost two weeks now in the hopes of getting to the bottom of the problem at hand.
The taxpayers deserve answers as to what is going on and when we can expect to see this project move forward and closure.
Once again the MSM will be all over this any minute now and people are coming to learn that Salisbury News is not only THE PLACE to ring your information, we'll get it out there before anyone else. Heck, at least you know when you get it to us we'll publish it, unlike the Daily Slime.
Mr. Pollitt's Office says they're not over budget but they're not done with the project, for starters and in time I hope we can all get to the bottom of this. This is yesterday's breaking news story.
UPDATE: This just in from Mr. Pollitt's Office.........
"Please email your questions about this. I can probably answer most of them.
This is going to be on the open agenda at next Tuesday’s council meeting.
James V. Fineran
Wicomico County Public Information Officer
Government Office Building
125 N. Division Street
Salisbury, MD 21801-4940"
This is going to be on the open agenda at next Tuesday’s council meeting.
James V. Fineran
Wicomico County Public Information Officer
Government Office Building
125 N. Division Street
Salisbury, MD 21801-4940"
UPDATE #2: "PS The item is on next Tuesday’s County Council meeting at the initiative of the County Executive. As in everything else, now that Rick is aware of this, he wants all the facts to be discussed in the open."
Surprise,surprise!I wonder what type of "debris" is so severe as to impede the roadway?
ReplyDeleteBy next Tuesday (can't believe that didn't reschedule) this will be a closed session item -- count on it.
ReplyDeleteWhere's Rye Charmer now we need him big time
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me why we hired Pollitt? Isnt this part of his responsibility? Is he stalling for some hidden reason or just asleep in his chair?
ReplyDeleteWhy didnt the engineering firm know about the debris while doing the survey and design work. they work with soil testing companies hand in hand and had to know about it. They were in the woods and fields for months doing the survey work.
ReplyDeleteBy the way that comapny is
MCCRONE INC.
naylor mill road
salisbury md.
410-548-1492
Years ago it was 'ok' to dig holes and dump trash and debris. Most likely this is what they ran into because building a road over it would be structurally unstable. But the 600-700k change order is something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI BELIEVE IT WAS A DUMP WHEN THERE WERE NO LANDFILLS.ASK THE FARMERS FROM THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
ReplyDeleteYeah so why isn't the engineering firm responsible for designing a major roadway over contaminated lands. With it being so close to a known landfill wouldn't there be more time spent on researching that land. In my opinion that is who needs to pay for those design errors not the county.
ReplyDeleteWho should we be calling to find out those answers. Someone has to be held accountable for drawing up such plans.
Wicomico County taxpayers really have no clue where money flows!! For example, just take the new Bennett School, money is being wasted left and right. A new check and balance system is needed.
ReplyDeleteWHERES THE MONEY?????
ReplyDeleteEven the Roman Empire could design functional roads and bridges, and keep raw sewage from their aguifers. The only thing I can compare this situation to is a piece from Mel Brooks "History of The World Part One"
ReplyDelete"All fellow members of the Roman Senate hear me. Shall we continue to build palace, after palace, for the rich? Or shall we aspire to a more noble purpose and build decent housing for the poor?"
In the spirit of active learning (and PG language)I will request your readers Google this scenario to see how the Senate ultimately voted-but let's just say it was unanimous.....sound familiar?
This very unfortunate and some times soil borings can't reveal everything as they are only done every 100 yards or so. I know John Redden didn't know of this and certainly would have done something if he did. He is a stand up person and has done a good job filling in since the landfill fiasco. It sounds like a old farmers dump hole that could not have been known about. It's a wonder the historical society hasn't declared it a archeological dig area.
ReplyDeleteanonymous 1:01:
ReplyDeleteI think John is a stand up guy as well but your comment has nothing to do with the point. The point is, $700,000.00 was SPENT without a single CHANGE ORDER being approved by the County Executive OR the County Council.
Joe thanks for the clarification. You are correct that Public Works first word is "public" and the information should be made so. They should go through the proper channels for any change that will cost the tax payers more money. I agree we need to know who approved this as it our, we the public, tax money being spent.
ReplyDeleteAnon 12:20-
ReplyDeleteHow do you know money is being wasted at the new Bennett High School, I work there and there has been nothing added to increase the cost, and everything is under a bidded contract. Show me where things have increased...
I'd love to know how big this area is holding this supposed trash. Lets say it's 50' x 50' and 10' deep. This trash {unless toxic} could be removed and the fill tamped per specs, in a few days, wk max. Myself and/or any other local contractor would jump at it for $25,000. {$700,000.}??? somethings criminal about that!
ReplyDeleteThis waste is then hauled to the County Landfill's new disposal area and dumped, causing the current landfill to fill up quicker. How much is the cost to the county for lost waste disposal fees, and speeding the need for a new landfill somewhere else in our County.
ReplyDeletemoving the rd 30 ft onto county owned land would have chnaged everything
ReplyDeletewhy do you think they got slicky boy matt creamer out of retirement? to smooth over the rough spots and cover the mess up. i caught him in a lie one time had those nasty rotten teeth of his chattering. he covered her up though
ReplyDeleteHey 1:42 pm,
ReplyDeleteYou would lose money on that deal. 50x50x10 = 25,000 CF, lets say the trash conservatively weighs 50 lbs a CF, 50lbs/CF x 25,000 CF = 1,250,000 lbs or 625 tons of waste to be hauled off to a landfill. At $55/ton you would be spending 625Tx$55/T = $34,375 just to get rid of the trash, unless you know of some hole in the ground to dump it.....
And I still say the "LANDFILL IS PROPERLY LINED TO PROTECT GROUNDWATER ETC..." is BUNK! 90% of the people in organized crime I mean government are LIARS AND THIEVES! LOCAL,STATE,FEDERAL,COUNTY call it what you want liars and thieves!
ReplyDelete4:59 did the math, and the change order should have been approved at time and materials with a county official monitoring the dig and fill operation. That would keep the cost honest and fair. I'm sure that since the contractor may have been asked for a firm price on an unknown quantity, he gave it at a maximum he thought it would run. could be that it was only an outhouse hole! You just don't know until you are done with the job.
ReplyDelete