NO – this is not a joke. I wish it were.
Speaking at a meeting of the Wicomico chapter of Americans for Prosperity, Wicomico Councilman Joe Holloway provided several examples of misuse of the taxpayers’ money by the Wicomico County Board of Education (WCBOE). These included:
- A trip to Hooter’s
- A Las Vegas junket and tickets to a Toby Keith concert
- Starbucks coffee (why drink the cheap stuff when you ain’t paying for it)
Holloway’s theme was that Wicomico County government doesn’t need its citizens to pay more taxes, it needs to cut spending. I can’t wait for the WCBOE’s spin on this one.
74 comments:
seem's to me if the others on the council don't get on board with mr holloway and prettman they ought to be booted!
This is usually what ends up happening when people who truly care get elected. They are the minority. I know that feeling well. My best advice to you is to KEEP TALKING. Yell if you have to!
The TAXPAYERS hear you and that is a big help right now. Do NOT back down and shut up just because that's what your colleagues want you to do!
You obviously are one who remembers WHO put you in office and WHO can take you back out of office if the voters don't like how you do the job.
We need more Joe Holloway's around here but people like us are the ones who get burned out because it just gets so tiring sometimes talking to a brick wall!
Joe, Why cant we form a way for people to report the waste by these people and a way to hold them accountable? We should start a group called Residents for Accountability Team, or "RAT" for short. Make a spot for residents or fellow government employees to report this waste without retrobution. You could make it part of the blog. Then we can go after the people in charge and make them clean up or get the HELL out! Your the man Joe, you can do it.
WCBOE spends cash like no tomorrow. I for one am glad to see this come to light. It amazes me to hear some of the stories about what they spend money on. Each school seems to be out for itself and there seems to be no central head for this monster call WCBOE.
Hey Hooter's is a quality food establishment. Love the hot wings.
You mean to tell me I got furlough days, they got none and a raise, and their doing this? Somebodies a$$ better hang!!!
I believe Mr Holloway needs to take Ricks job as wico executive. He is there for the tax payers!
For per diem purposes, what's the difference between Hooters and, say, Denny's? They had to eat and they're paid to do it. If the issue is that they saw nubile breasts and thighs while they ate, then say so.
I agree with the Starbucks and junket/concert statements. The coffee's free everywhere in LV - in the hotel room, the hotel lobby, the gaming tables and probably at the function.
Personally I think that everything they did there (with the exception of spending our money) could have been done in teleconference with a thermos from home.
I guess this was for the children also , the next time they go before the council for more money they should present this behavior to them. I wopuld say they are sick people but that's not true , they are just bad people. Who the hell approves this crap? Fire em!!!
4:20- you miss the point. what do they even need to go to LV for anyway. thats tax payer money. keep your a** home and teach. there is no need for expense like this no matter what the reason. any vendors they need would come to them. what was it a book fair??
The WCBOE has been fraught with waste, fraud, and abuse since even before the time and emergence of the Maryland Taxpayers group - spearheaded by deceased James Betts and JC Parker Sr.
When are the taxpayers ever going to wake-up in this County. The Maryland Teachers Association has literally used the kids as human shields - similar to what the Hezbolah did to the Palestinians.
4:20
What an idiotic statement!
Just because the money is "budgeted" doesn't mean they have to spend it all!
The budget is prepared using "actual" expenses from previous times so if they CUT the expenses, then the next budget could be less.
I certainly hope YOU never run for office, you obviously know nothing about budgets and taxpayers money!
In fact, why don't you leave your name and address so the county can have YOU pay for these things since you don't seem to have a problem with it!
Mr Harrison
I attended the AFP meeting last night and I must say was outraged by what I heard. However I am disappointed that you are letting the BOE off so easy. It was not a trip to Hooters, it was lots of trips to Hooters. It is also the thousands and thousands of dollars spent at other resturants and travel that was beyond belief. I work for Wicomico County and am one of those that have been taking furlough days and if there are layoffs will probably face that also.It is my under standing that it took Mr Holloway several months to actually acquire this information do to the fact that they would not release it. It's wonderful that we have someone who is really trying to look out for the employees and citizens of Wicomico County.
This is total BS!!!!...No wonder the budget is in shambles...High Rolling Spenders like this...
***Here is an Idea: Any Wico. Board of Ed. member, teacher or whomever that needs to go away on any type of school function---YOU YORSELF dig deep into YOUR OWN pockets and PAY for the expense YOURSELF and THEN send off an receipt of what you paid for....item for item..Any other ***BS** Item such as concert tickets,starbucks coffee,Hooters entertainment, then YOU LOOSE..YO Pay!!!!......Its time these fool are held accountable to PAY BACK the county for the BS purchases....This is money that should not have been spent and saved for education purposes to help the kids that need to be taught with the proper tools...
Everyone, including the AFP:
Let's get behind Joe H. in his effort to stop Pollitt and the Council majority from paying $300,000 for land at the old Salisbury Mall that's not worth even half that amount.
Why can't they refrain from all out of state meetings for at least one year, maybe more while we are under the cash crunch? Don't they know how much is on the internet that can be used instead? Come on now people. Use some common sense. spend our money like it is your money and you won't be doing this sort of thing.
Here are some of the things Joe Holloway has challenged:
$23 ball point pens
$400 trash cans
$300,000 per acre for land at the former mall across from the Civic Center.
So, can you say "County Executive"?
Quiz
Question
How many donuts can the BOE eat?
Answer
All of them
Maybe the WCBOE could stop some of this frivolous spending and raise the temperatures in the schools. I was told by someone that works in the school system that the thermostats have to be set in the low 60's during the day. That is a little too cool for comfort in my estimation.
4:49 -- It's $300,000 per acre for 5 acres, or $1,500,000 total and absolutely outrageous. So far Bartkovich has not said how she is going to vote, or Cannon, either.
Pollitt used to be on the School Board, so I guess that's where he became a tax & spender.
how about using the money for school supplies and sports programs, so the parents not have to pay for them
Maybe the Daily Times will print a list like they printed the outrageous pay scales at The BOE a few years ago.
Employees that travel to conferences outside of MD are contractually permitted to receive a daily allowance for food. Hooters is a restaurant just like Applebees and Chili's. As long as the staff member stayed within their allotment, this is not an issue as long as alcohol is not purchased. The finance dept. at the BOE makes sure that alcohol is not purchased so I am sure this didn't occur. Your only issue is that it is at Hooters.
With regard to Ruth's Chris, again, if it was within the spending guidelines, this is a mute point.
I also doubt that public funds were used for this purpose anyway. Most out of state conferences is usually paid for my grant money. Travel, lodging and food is written into the expenses.
As for the concert tickets, that is wrong but I find this hard to believe.
Keep diggin', Joe--there's more there for you to uncover. A few years ago, all the travel arrangements, bookings, etc. were moved to BOE Purchasing Dept. instead of being done by outside travel agency vendor. There's lots to uncover.
I challenge Mr. Holloway and every member of the Council to disclose their expenses for all travel, dinner meetings, etc. that they have taken in the past year on our dollars.
I bet you would be surprised at their spending. It may not be at Hooter's but I am sure you it is excessive.
Come on Mr. Holloway...you up to the challenge?
"A Las Vegas junket and tickets to a Toby Keith concert "
What's the big deal? There are no casinos in MD to go to yet.
Joe Holloway for County Executive - Now I like that! A Republican is what we need in that office not Mr. Tax & Spend.
Wow I wish I could afford to eat at Ruth's Chris. Maybe I should apply for a job with the WCBOE
omg this is crazy! educational programs are cut, and there's this kind of waste....
While we are at it, let's see how much is spent on the Council lunches too.
I am really mad about this. I have had my salary cut over $3,000 PLUS no raise for two years PLUS increase in health care coverage (PLUS less coverage for the higher fees) while this crap goes on. And Rick had the gumption to pubically claim he was going to get the BOE to work with him on helping to aleviate the budget problems. Remember Rick? Remember you said "it is not fair for 500 county employees to take the brunt of the budget woes while the 2300 full time and 700 part time BOE members DO NOTHING. Remember Rick? Well, WE WILL REMEMBER THIS NOVEMBER, buck - o
This plus their OUTRAGEOUS SALARIES is just one more slap in the face to people like me who are struggling to pay their electric bill and put food on the table. You could hire 3 teachers for 1 of their annual salaries.
This nonsense pales in comparison to the money Pollitt wants to spend for a parking lot for the Civic Center - $300,000 per acre.
4:45
Thank you
Don't put to much faith in Mr.Holloway, fact of the matter is he may do some good, however he is only plays the game that makes him the MVP. There have been many issues concerning the county discussed recently amongst the council with other orginizations in which Mr. Holloway has strongly opposed only to benefit from the results himself. I will say no more, you want news dig into that and you will learn on your own what type of person he can be!!!!
Just a few suggestions: 1. Freeze ALL Board level salary increases, 2. Get someone who can negotiate insurance to keep the cost down (this has been a joke for decades), 3. Don't allow double dippers - one job will suffer (Mayor, Conway, etc). 4. keep the temps low during winter (wear a sweater) and high during the summer (wear a light weight shirt) 1000's can be saved, 5. Eliminate some bus routes or organize them more like city transportation to save on fuel costs, 6. Pay teachers based on performance (so you get better results or new teachers who want to teach rather than just get a paycheck), 7. Promote based on performance not to fill an AAP number (reverse discrimination has been rampant for years) or because someone was sleeping with someone else.
Hey 5:03, no Pollitt did it to Fruitland first, and now we still pay the piper even though he is gone.
Anyone who thinks that the pay scale in Wicomico is "outrageous" should compare it to that in Wicomico County.
BTW, has Pollitt terminated Fineran yet?
What kind of meeting did they have to attend in Las Vegas anyway? I would like to know if Somerset and Worchester county attended. This sounds like some way of rewarding the top brass with a free vacation.
5:09 - the parents are already getting a FREE education for their children, why shouldn't they have to pay for supplies and sports programs? Are you really going to complain about having to buy a pencil and a notebook? Most days, the kids show up without even those basic supplies, and the teachers and school pick up the tab anyway.
The problem with our society is the attitude of entitlement just like that. The same people that expect the schools to do everything for thier children can't even be bothered to answer the phone when the teachers call home, let alone show up for a parent teacher conference! No wonder there is so much trouble with the attitudes and behavior of the children.
Did Holloway find any "splitting of the tickets"? Don't they have a limit on their credit cards? Please share the names of these employees.
I agree 100%, this is crazy. Before pulling teachers into this stuff, remember, teachers are not the ones that get ot go off on these lovely trips. Most of the time, the people attending these things are coordinators, supervisors, etc.
I know Fredericksen and Thompson hides things. Only gives out what they want to give out. I just hope Joe stands his ground and continues to question until he gets what he wants. Maybe the County should hire an auditor to audit the Board. Joe you have my vote! Good job!
Is this why substitutes make $73 per day that they substitute? Is this why Instructional assistants are only making 15,000 a year? ummm...
Thompson does not know what is going on he can't even run the Salvation Army. Check into that. From what I hear he was asked to leave. Could not handle the money there and the BOE budget is much bigger. Scary to think he is the President...
Anonymous said...
Maybe the WCBOE could stop some of this frivolous spending and raise the temperatures in the schools. I was told by someone that works in the school system that the thermostats have to be set in the low 60's during the day. That is a little too cool for comfort in my estimation.
4:55 PM
Wah Wah Wah it's to hot....
Wah Wah Wah it's to cold....
The heat is not turned down to 60 degrees, this comment is rediculous.
joe holloway should take rick's job!!! joe surely know's how to run and work a buisness. he does know how to make the best of money.
Just to refresh your memory, the Daily Times did not print the list in a news story - no way! The list of all BOE salaries was in a full page ad paid for by VOICE. We need VOICE to return. Does anyone know the website address to get a current list of all BOE salaries?
If they give you $20 for dinner, who cares if they go to Hooters or Ruth Chris'. If the bill is over $20 then they pay the difference themselves. You go out to eat and pay for it yourself, then turn in the bill to be paid back. It doesn't matter if your bill was $100 for dinner, you will only get back the alloted amount. Anyone with any brains will move out of this county as soon as possible. Crime, lack of good jobs, crime, awful budget situation, and crime will lead me to someplace better.
Oh this is so totally outrageous. Yes, Mr. Holloway should be County Executive, no doubt about it. Remember things like this folks, when it's time to vote again. Enough already of the spend, spend, spend way of doing business.
I met Joe in 1965. He is not a slumlord, nor is he married to a doctor. He is, however, a man who knows what its like to WORK for a living. He is also a man who has the stones to take a risk. My kind of guy.
Way to go Joe. Glad to see someone is not afraid to speak up.
Remember when a SFD chief went to Las Vegas at the city's expense to a seminar when he was just about to retire?
I'm a teacher in the county and I am shocked but not necessarily surprised at some of these expenses. All I can say is please don't lump all educators in this county together. Very few classroom teachers get to go on these types of trips. We are just as angry as Joe Taxpayer when we hear about misspent money- money that could be better spent(or not spent at all).
He should also look into the weekly catered lunches that they order up over at the board of ed.
why did ricky let rai sharma get away with his part of the landfill scheme???
Anonymous said...
Way to go Joe. Glad to see someone is not afraid to speak up.
Remember when a SFD chief went to Las Vegas at the city's expense to a seminar when he was just about to retire?
8:52 PM
Which time? David See, the Wannabe Fire Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department went to every conference or seminar he could go to at the blessing of wannabe mare Barrie Parsons Tilghman. This cost tax payers THOUSANDS of dollars. Thanks Barrie, Bubba, Louweasel and Shanie!
Okay Council....How about pulling Ted Shea and Matt Creamer's expense reports and showing them to the public. Let's see how much is spent at SOBO's for those little secret meetings in the back room.
All of these expenditures for ALL public employees should be public information. Just ask for it from the proper officials and you will get it. It is public information. They spent public money so the public has the right to know. I also would like to know if Worcester and Somerset BOE's attended these meetings.
Thompson as BOE president is a joke. Since he lost his job at the Salvation Army it's no wonder he wants BOE to pay for his vacations. There's no way he will hold the higher ups accountable.
Before I comment on this i would like to see more information. On the surface it looks ugly. You bet it does! Is there more?
WBOE sucks , another big , big big problem .
It's time for Wicomico County to have an ELECTED BOARD OF EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An elected board of education would hold the board members accountable to US the stakeholders, the tax payers, the voters.
Right now the Board Members get there Marching Orders from John Fredericksen the appointed Superintendent. The BOE works for us not Fredericksen!!!
I am truly greatful that this information has been brought forth, however it saddens me at what Mr Holloway must now endure. When the WCBOE, central office and the political elite of Wicomico County get finished trashing him he will wish he had never heard of the Board of Ed.
There is an amount reimbursed for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I think its $10, $15 and $20 or
$7, $12 and $20. Anything above that, the person pays himself. It doesn't matter where the meal is eaten, the same amount is reimbursed. So you can have a $50 dinner, but the county isn't paying for any of it beyond the amount allowed.
&:51 that is not always the case. There have been limo trips to Seacrets fully paid for by the tax payer.
7:51- The problem is, who is watching? Just how many reimbursements have been made? Anyone that can slip tickets for a Toby Keith Concert through can slip any amount through for meals. Reality check!!!!
Joe-GA...
Why don't you print the truth? You are letting people get fired up and you are not publishing the whole truth. Holloway said he did not have itemized receipts but just line items of expenses.
I seriously doubt that concert tickets were purchased...does it actually say "concert tickets"? I doubt it...not just from a line item on a reconciliation sheet.
I can't wait till the BOE rips a new one on Holloway! What a jerk!
BOE does not pay for limo rides to Seacrets. Staff at some schools go to Seacrets for year end staff parties on their own time after work and pay the expenses out of their own pocket. Stop spreading untruths!!!!
Why doesn't Joe do some research into the spending and travel of the county government workers? HR and Payroll staff went to Orlando Florida for a MUNIS conference and went to Universal Studios. Get your own house in order!!!!
Whenever a Board employee makes an inappropriate charge he is billed for it. Mr. Holloway probably didn't look at the cash receipts.
One of the biggest problems is that teachers are promoted out of the classroom to high paying jobs at the BOE (probably b/c they stink as teachers). They have NO idea how to run a business, and the WCBOE IS a business, like it or not. An in-depth investigation IS needed for many expenditures, right down to the "company cars" - why on earth do any of them need a company car to travel WITHIN the county??? Go get 'em, Joe!!
Business Lesson #101 - when an employee travels between work sites the employer either reimburses the employee for their mileage or they are given a company car. A small number of employees do enough travel between schools and central office that it is less expensive for the company to provide them with a company car to drive then reimburse for daily mileage.
Just check the spending...not only at the BOE, but within the schools themselves...staff breakfasts, luncheons, decorations, gifts...
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