Press Release
October 3, 2008
The Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 111 has announced that it has filed a motion in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, asking that the Honorable Circuit Court Judge David B. Mitchell alter or amend his decision in reference to the case; Wicomico County Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 111 vs. Wicomico County Council, County Executive, and County Administrator Case # 22C08000521.
The motion basically asks for the court to clarify the decision in this case, as this decision could affect other citizen initiatives, as well as other jurisdictions in Maryland that currently have collective bargaining with binding arbitration and the same form of Executive/Council government.
The FOP Lodge # 111 appreciates the continued support from the citizens of Wicomico County. Since the court decision last week, we have received a tremendous amount of calls from citizens offering support, and encouragement to continue in the efforts to improve retirement and disability benefits for Sheriff’s Deputies. These citizens stated that they voted for the intent or principle of the charter amendment and believe that their will and voice has not been heard. The FOP Lodge will continue to explore what options are available and determine the next course of action.
Any questions contact:
Cris Taylor
Secretary – FOP Lodge # 111
410-251-6820
Mark Wagner
President - FOP Lodge # 111
410-251-0343
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
8 comments:
Hey FOP:
Give us a break -- you blew it!
so the good ole boys slipped their way out of your bargaining.keep pushing them.maybe they will eventually do the right thing.what a bunch of jerks.
This whole thing wouldn't even be happening if the FOP had told everyone EXACTLY what they were voting for and EXACTLY what other powers the FOP will have if passed.
I firmly believe that the people of Wicomico County voted for something they did not understand because they only looked at or were told certain parts.
If you really want the FOP involved and collective bargaining to go through, then start over, do it right and get ALL of the information. ALL of the PROS and the CONS of it so that you can vote as an informed voter.
In the meantime, here you have the FOP in their 2nd lawsuit now against the County and the County is having to spend huge amounts of money to defend against it. Guess who's paying for that? Do you really think this is the way to get more officers and better benefits?
FOP, I said before, present a document that promises you won't turn around and just add to your salary, bet you won't. Folks this is not just about "benefits", dont fall for it, it's about MONEY.
I see the uneducated part of the voting populus has spoken. Yea all 73% of the popular vote was wrong. Oh my did the public get sold a wolf ticket. I'm sorry a little to over your head maybe. That is known as sarcasism or someone just poking fun at your ignorance. The citizens of this great county have spoken and it was an educated vote and should be heard. There is no issue with pay the deputies are in great need of disability insurance and a retirement that equates to a chance at life after retirement. If they are injured while serving and protecting this community they should be able to at least feed thier families and live out what life they have left withouy worry about losing everything they have. The county has known for years this plan does not meet anywhere near the needs one would have if this was to occur. So when these men and women go out and risk bodily harm to themselves to protect our citizens they in turn should at the very least be protected. In the last ten years at least sixty deputies have been trained by the county and went on to other employement at a great cost to tax payers. That is the only reason the pay was structured as it is today. It saves tax money in the long run and was the educated choice of the council and hard lobbying by the Nelms Adminastration. L.E.O.P.S. would correct this issue. The city of Salisbury has it as well as Worcester County Sheriff's office. I dont think I need to elaborate that if the city has it the county should as well. Sheriff Lewis is a great leader and strives daily to move the Sheriff's Office foward. The addition of this Law Enforcement based system would be all that would be needed to complete a long and tenuious struggle to gain what is deserved and much needed benefit. It would retain quailty deputies that are currently working at the Sheriff's office. As for the collective bargaining with binding arbitration numerous departments have it. There is no way anyone gets what there is no funding for. The arbitrtaitor is nutral and can only grant what is within reason. I think those who voted should contact thier district rep and let them know what you think of a council that does not do the will of people who put them in office. The ruling by the judge simply shows that that goverment continues to enact law that protects goverment and nothing more. If this vote was illegal then so is the tax cap vote that was passed years ago. The people spoke and the coucil listened on that isssue. There were some that truly benifitted from that bill being passed. There are some that did not. The support of question "A" speaks volumes of what the people felt is the right thing to do in this case. I for one will work as to put a poltician out of office as did to get them there if they do not recognize this basic principal. To Rick Pollitt and Sheriff Lewis I salute you for your courage and intergirty. I also salute the men and women of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office for taking this risk day in and day out knowing the risk to your family that exist. The F.O.P. needs to stand tall and continue to strive a for a quality system that is fair and just. To the citizens that supported this effort let your voices ring in the ear of those who did not represent your will and thank you for your educated and deserving vote. There will be and all ways will be, nay sayers to those who enforce the laws of the land. It is clearly the minority that takes this stance. God Bless America and may you sleep well tonight knowing all those who chose to serve and protect are willing to do what is needed when called upon to protect you.
anon 3:39 I think I know who you are. Enjoy the two years you have left in office the public will not be fooled by you again. I guess you gave credit to anyone who walked into your business and never made a profit on anything you sold. Shame on you ! If I am not mistaken your business was sold to middle easterners and then closed down by the goverment because they were considered to be aiding terrorism hmmm good judge of charecter.
It is about benefits because the ones they have stink. If you get hurt on the job you can lose your job after a certain amount of time. Some of the men do not even have retirement. A lot of people think because you work for the city, county or state that you have it made. Believe me only the good ole boys have it made like the new county lawyer who just got hired full time and got a good retirement for a matter of nothing while people who have worked for years have nothing. Give me a break!!
The only reason it was blown is because of the wording on the paperwork. The good ole boys will never do the right thing unless there is something in it for them.
12:06: It was blown by trusting the county attorney in writing the language, he wrote the language that has been thrown out, pretty interesting huh, now he gets a retirement and they do not get what they want???????
1:34 The citizens had all the information available, flyers, phone numbers, website. All were used by the citizens and they voted educated.
3:39 Of course money does play in, the Sheriff's dept was the most under paid dept for years and years, had huge turnover, mostly only hired the leftovers from other depts. Money to live on, money to retire and money to survive if injured.
What main point people need to remember, a law enforcement officer does not have the right to ask for what he needs or wants. This would give that, if the county said no, then a nuetral party would come in an make a fair educated decision, on whichever side is fair. That is what was asked for. The system will not let you gouge the county, it can't happen. That is the way it is. Departments have actually taken away from officers in the process when the city could not afford it.
Can you go to your boss and ask for something you need, or come with an idea on how to make the company happier or better overall. Law Enforcement does not have the right. If you are lucky to have a Sheriff Lewis that will listen to you, you are rare. He won;t be there forever. Look what they had before, how far behind was the dept when Lewis took over. That would not have happened with the ability to communicate.
How many people complain about government workers, everyone right. I do. So what are the chances out of those workers you complain about, that you get the Mike Lewis's who are willing to make changes, stand up for the workers. How many government workers do you know that you would want running your business your family. So, my point the workers need the right to ask, to go to the Executive and council and say this is what is going on. This effort started years ago to show everyone what is needed to have an effective police force. Answer this, do you want a happy police officer or an unhappy scared of getting injured police officer coming to your 911 call or investigating the crime that happened to you????
Another example, you are in a relationship where your significant other sets all the rules, tells you what you will do, think and act. You are not allowed to ask about any of those things, question any of those things. How long will you stay, how long before you are frustrated and start taking it out on others. If you could at least talk about it, would it not help, then why can they have that right. No one with the ability or common sense would stay in a realtionship like that, but you ask your local police officers to. Are you still wondering why crime is the way it is here. Have you all seen the improvement of the Sheriff's dept since they have a leader that will stand up for them, that empowers them. Im sure you have, I haev seen more sheriff cars in my neighborhood, more sheriff cars stopping people then ever before.
So can you imagine what will happen if you gave all the law enforcement in the area the ability to be empowered and supported. In any relationship do you expect a positive reaction out of non communication, out of fear of losing your job if you stand up for what is right.
Give these men and women the right to be empowered, to be free of worry, to be happier and you will see the community change. Support them.
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