A few days ago SBYnews notified its readers that Governor O'Malley was going to take telephone calls in a live call-in MPT show.
Well guess what - his very first call was received by none other than a Wicomico County native - John Palmer - who just so happens to also be the President of VOICE - the taxpayer advocacy group that spearheaded Wicomico's revenue cap.
What was even more compelling was that John posed the question to the Governor regarding whether or not diversion or re-direction of open space money - specifically monies dedicated for the purchase of lands adjacent to the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center - could be made possible for upgrading Wicomico County's more immediate need - road repairs.
As a listening observer one could easily tell that the Governor was quite shaken by the suggestion and even complimented John for offering the proposal. Bottom - line he said he was going to investigate the subject and would get back in touch with him after consulting with his staff to see if such a re-direction of funding was possible.
What is even more significant is that had it not been for SBYnews notification about the Governor's call-in program - the Governor would have probably let this subject just slip-a-way.
It will be interesting to see if the Governor will allow a re-direction of open space money especially in these financial difficult times where our State and local finances are continuing to struggle.
But it makes perfect sense to me to put the money where there is a more urgent priority than purchasing 5 or 10 acres of land for yet another unneeded Wicomico County government expansion.
9 comments:
Nice to know VOICE is still around -- they never show at the local meeting when the City of Salisbury and Wicomico County spend our tax money like it grows on trees.
Response to 9:25:
You must have your head in the sand. They were there again at the very last County Council meeting. They revealed a ploy to resurrect funding for a new public library. You had better go back and watch PAC 14.
Negative complainers who never accomplish nothing!
Great idea but unfortunately once the door is opened to re-directing this money it will be re-directed to o'malley's pet projects in baltimore! soon we'll be back to driving on dirt roads!
I also saw the show and heard the telephone call come-in.
Maryland's Governor was stumped when the question was popped about redirecting the open space money. However, he did appear to be receptive to the idea as he even said it was a good idea.
It will be interesting to hear the verdict.
I'm surprised the Governor took the telephone call.
Maybe there is something to what happened in Mass. as the Governor now wants to engage the voting public. He never seemed to offer to respond before this weeks revolution in Mass.
My guess is that the Governor doesn't know how our people really feel about wastefully spending millions of taxpayers dollars on 5-10 acres of land that couldn't even bring single bidder at their proposed auction.
This is a taxpayers bailout for sure. If the County drags its feet I'm sure the taxpayers really benefit because then the County could purchase the lands at a bargan basement tax sale.
In this environment - who but the County can ever afford to purchase the property anyway.
Maryland has the worst roads I have been on in a very long time!!! I agree with John about the redirection, it should certainly be done for the roads!
John is a godsend to this community!
Thanks John and we are with you on what you are trying to do!
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