Do You Believe The Sheriff's Department Should Have Collective Bargaining Without Arbitration As Voted For In Wicomico County?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
24 comments:
yes
I think that as long as Mike Lewis continues to operate in the manner he does (thifty, resourceful and, more importantly, EFFECTIVE) then he should get what he wants. But keep in mine that Lewis wants are the things that he needs, not just simple frivolous wants. Lewis is a prime example of what good leadership can do for the local government! He has not lost my trust and I do not feel as though he should be monitored until he proves otherwise. Other aspects of the County should be monitored, but this is THE ONE that should not.
No. They should have collective bargaining WITH binding arbitration. Without binding arbitration, collective bargaining is almost useless.
Yes-Mike Lewis knows what leadership is. Let's not forget Mike Elliott. He not only knows the law, but he knows how business operations are supposed to work and is constantly looking for ways of improvement, dedicating many, many hours over the required. This department is THEE most efficient in the County with the most progressive thinking.
Perhaps my question should have said, Do you understand what collective bargaining is?
Yes as long as Mike Lewis is sheriff. Let's face it that department wasn't that active until Sheriff Lewis took it over.
If it aint broke don't fix it.
Lets make one thing very clear. Mike lewis is an awesome leader. The question of collective bargaining with binding arbittration should not a concern to the leadership of the Sheriff's Office. They now have it in Rehobeth Beach P.D. and Ocean City P.D. and even Delmar recently obtained this privledge.
Former Mayor of Ocean City, Jim Mathias stated it is one of the best things to happen to the P.D. They liked it so much they also granted it to the Fire Dept.
It does not allow frivalous things to be granted as some might exspect. As a mtter of fact it helps in times like we currently face. The Ocean City Police officers forgave the latest raises so that no one would be laid off.
If the F.O.P. 111 and the County would agree on something prior to the pending litigation it would save close to one hundred thousand dollars in legal fees if not more on appeal.
The voters voted overwhelmingly for this in the last election. To the tune of 74% of the votes cast were in favor of this. The public spoke and the council did not listen. The numbers excedded 18,000votes.
I strongly feel that if some concessions were made on both sides it would be a major asset to the county. It would also show the council supports their local Law Enforcement.
This matter can be worked out in a manner that would not require the use of "Big Gun" attorneys from baltimore getting fat off of the fact that no one is trying to resolve this matter out of court.
To me this is a no brainer. The money spent to fight an agenda that has been brewing for fifteen years and will most certainly continue on the behalf of the F.O.P. will save enough money to keep some in this county employed in troubled times.
It is time to come out of the shell and realize this issue will be hear to stay. Mike Lewis has and will continue to do a great job. The question is will Mike lewis be here ten years from now. The men and women desrve this supportive measure to ensure they do get the best possible afforable benefits.
The B.S. coming out of the W.C.D.C. almost weekly would never happen if this was in place for them also. You dont hear about O.C.P.D. and Rehobeth P.D.
People have a fear of the unknown and in this county the people stated what they wanted it. I do not think our voting populus is stupid by any means. The fact that Mike Lewis and Rick Pollitt supported the cause should say it all. The Council used legal language in the labor code to avert the issue. To me this speaks volumes to thier integrity and core values to the voters.
I know they have lost my vote in the future if they do not rectify this gross disregard for what the people wanted.
The entire pay cut and budget isssues would have been far less painful if the men and women of the Sheriff's Office felt the Council was looking out for thier best interest. There is a feeling of distrust by thier actions so far. I know I speak for the majority of the rank and file when I say this. The families of these men and women also have very strong feelings on the acts by the Council as well.
Thaks Joe for looking out. It is time the men and women and the command of this great agency get the respect they have earned and deserve.
100% absolutely yes. Not because they want it but because more than 70% of the voters spoke at the polls and voted for it by a landslide. My problem with this entire thing is that the existing County Council went against the obvious will of the people and used taxpayers money to pay for anti collective bargaining attorneys to fight against the will of the voters.
Interesting issue though is the fact that VOICE got legislation passed to cap revenue from property taxes by using the method prescribed in the charter. The Deputies used the same method prescribed in the same charter and the same voters voted in favor of collective bargaining, yet a judge ruled that it circumvented the legilsative authority of the County Council calling it nothing more than a citizens initiative. This council may just have stepped on their own proverbial wieners since that same judge, given the opportunity to hear the revenue cap case, may consider that, too, to be a citizens initiative. I support the revenue cap because that's what the people voted for. I also support collective bargaining for the deputies for the same reason. The personal feelings of the individual council members mean nothing in these cases. The people voted in favor of these items and those votes should have been honored. The hypocrisy of the County Council should be apparent to everyone. They listen to the voters on issues with which they personally agree and ignore the voters on issues with which they disagree. It's time for them to go!
YES!!!!!!!
NO!!
YES!!!
11:37-you said it all!!!
yes cuz it is broke!
First let me say BOB for County Council !!!!!!!
Whoever you are contact the F.O.P. they are looking for good honest people that will follow the will of the people.
The deputies collected over ten thousand signatures for this legislation that alone was no small feat. That same energy can be put forth for anyone willing to run for office that is willing and committed to do the right things. That does not only apply to the needs of the Sheriff's Office, but the citizens of this county as well.
The points that Bob posted are very legitimate. The Council as a whole stood against the Sheriff of this county. They stood against the County Exec.,but more importantly they showed no concern for the vote of the people.
The fact that they looked the other way knowing that the deputies do not have a comprehensive insurance package that fits the needs of Law Enforcement. The L.E.O.P.S. package that has been pursued for years by the deputies is in place at all counties on the shore except Somerset and Wicomico. The financial plight of Somerset has been long known on the shore. Wicomico is the "Hub" of the shore and it can not afford this plan???
There is something wrong with this picture. It would appear there has been gross mismanagement of funds and grants.
The sad truth is when the council should have done the right thing they balked and now the county is in no position to right the wrong.
As an earlier poster stated there should be a way to resolve this issue out of court. The monies spent fighting this could have been better used throughout the county.
The truth is that the County Board Of Elections stated the labor Code had to be prepared by the county. The language on the ballot was prepared by Ed Baker the County Attorney. It is hard to believe the county did not know that Baker had presented language that would allow thier stance on the issue. The council was way to arrogant to ignore the vote and take the stand they did. It was blatantly obvious they knew there would be a legal issue with the document.
**It should be noted that Baker was later brought into the county retirement system. Odd at the very least in that he was an contractual employee.
It could be a mute issue but surley appears wrong to those fighting for the very thing he was rewarded.
I say to the deputies stand your ground and continue a fight that has been waged for years. There have been deputies that have risked their livelihood and a few that could have been forced out over this very issue.
To the 18,000 plus that voted for this right, remember those that did not hear your voice. It is one of the most blatant disregards of the voters will I have ever seen.
I know that my family, friends, and neighbors are still outraged by the Councils actions.
It was the right thing to do. If anything the matter should have been resolved at the time it was presented in a manner that did not cost the tax payers money. If the council had any integrity they would have corrected the language and moved to carry out the voters will.
Joe you have stepped into a very serious issue with this one. Keep a watchful eye as this matter is due to go to court in January. There is still time save money and do the right thing.
The Council and the F.O.P. need to roll up thier sleeves and get this matter resolved out of the court room.
Come on Mr. President....do the right thing.
I don't understand...IF the people of Wicomico County voted for this, then why wasn't it put it into place? That doesn't make sense...give it to them
I think our current county council people need to think about this situation come election time. I bet those folks won't be getting many of the votes from the deputies and their families and friends and lets face it that's a lot of votes. We can only hope that some new people step up to take the places of those members currently on the council because they are not representing the views of the citizens of this county and that is their "JOB". But they lost sight of that a long time ago. I will not cast a vote for any of those members of the county council come election time, I will instead throw my support behind anyone willing to support our views in the county and do the right thing.
This was a good question to ask Joe, I sure hope those members of our council read this.
The tax payers as a whole answered this question in the last election. It seams our council deems it necessary not to get this into action all the while spending precious time and not to mention MONEY doing what the people of this county voted for. So far they have payed out thousands of tax dollars trying to fight what has been approved by us the actual taxpayers.
Time for the FOP to flex their muscles and show the council their way out the door.
over 50 k is the rumor. Maybe the council will give disclosure on the true amount
9:13 pm
How many thousands of tax dollars have they spent to fight this?
The deputies deserve this. They need collective bargaining with binding arbitration. YES, they need both.
Yes they need both. My neighbor is a deputy, and he works extremely hard. He informed me as to what's going on with the County Council fighting what the actual county voters voted for. And this includes ME!! I may not work for the government, but I still care what goes on. And the County Council not hearing my vote, has perturbed me to no end!! This is not the first time "My" voice has not been heard. You can bet that I will be extremely vocal when election time comes around. Now this isn't all because of the Collective Bargaining going on that I will be vocal, this is just the icing on the cake!!
But as to Collective Bargaining WITH Binding Arbitration, I'm all for it!! I am aware of the current disability plan for our deputies of Wicomico County, and let me tell you folks. This disability plan would make you shameful, because of these deputies putting their lives on the line each and everyday.
Signed,
Honored Neighbor of Wicomico's Finest.
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