It’s not random coincidence that Wicomico County has been caught, pants down, on both those $500 trash cans and the 5 acres that Rick Pollitt wants to purchase for $300,000 per acre for parking at the Civic Center. The common aspect is that County officials are cavalier in spending money raised by taxes, or “the people’s money.”
Trash cans should be bought, if needed, and the Civic Center may really need another 5 acres, and possibly more, for parking. But, the price that was paid in the first instance and proposed to be paid for the parking area is not appropriate.
In the case of the cans, no discussion is necessary – simply go online or visit a store. The land at the old “Salisbury Mall” opposite the Civic Center is not that simple, but it is not really a complex matter to examine the real estate market. A tract very desirable for development, the “Hearne Farm,” recently went for about $80,000 per acre at foreclosure, bought by the mortgage holder. Several lots at the Centre at Salisbury are on the market (but have not sold) for $225,000 to 235,000 per acre. The land at the old mall is not worth anything close to that – probably not even $100,000 per acre – but the County is seriously proposing to pay three times that amount.
It appears that the County is the only prospective buyer for the land at its “fair market value,” which means that value is not very great, because the only other likely buyers would be speculators looking to flip it for a profit and unwilling to pay full value. And there are other factors that reduce its fair market value – the mall owner wants to have a clause in the deed that would prevent the property from being used in competition, and there is uncertainty about the storm water runoff requirements.
The truly disturbing aspect is that Mr. Pollitt and a majority on the County Council refuse to insist upon a fair price for the property, but want to pay a grossly excessive price for it because the County has the funds. They tell us that the State requires doing the deal at the proposed price, but it is difficult to accept the notion that there would be any objection if the property were bought for a lower price, or for the same total sum, about $1.5 Million, the County got more than 5 acres of land. If the mall property is worth $100,000 per acre, which seems generous in today’s market, that’s enough funding to acquire the full 15 acres that Mr. Pollitt feels is needed for more parking.
There is a significant difference in the two episodes because of the action and largess of Judge Donald Davis. In the case of the parking lot land there would be nobody ready, willing and able to reimburse the public if the County proceeds to pay about $1 Million too much of the people’s money to purchase that land.
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If the mall owner won't agree to a fair price, then the County should file a condemnation suit.
ReplyDeleteThis makes that park land deal they did last year on the west side of Wicomico Country look paltry.
ReplyDeleteWhy buy it at all when we are in deficit spending? Everyone has used that parking lot since antiquity when there's a big event at the CC. If the owner complains now that the Mall is leveled, then let's work out a rent deal.
ReplyDeleteThe county employee W-2's were dispersed this week and it brought home the reminder that most made fewer dollars than last year and most employees are living under the threatening umbrella of "layoffs". There is certainly no support, whatsoever, from the 500-600 county employees for paying that kind of money for "parking". With the loss of income, how can employees - and citdizens as well - justify spending money on events at the Civic Center they can no longer afford? The demand for parking is going to be a lot less during the next two years as most won't have the extra money in their budgets for Civic Center events.
ReplyDeleteI would put off the spending of any of this kind of funding until the economy begans to grow again - even if it isn't for 4-5 more years. Wait until there is the demand for such a purchase and then negotiate a more reasonable purchase price. If the council doesn't take care of the employees, there won't be enough left to run the Civic Center or any other agency.
Its one thing to ask us to sacrifice with pay cuts, furloughs, increasing insurance premiums but its entirely another to blow money on a worthless objective such as parking that is currently not needed. Just my opinion, of course.
what state agency would make the county buy the land for 3 times fair market value. I wonder if Andy Harris would have any comment on that?
ReplyDeleteanonymous 10:09, why don't you start by asking Frank Kratovil first?
ReplyDeletePollitt rather spend outragous amounts of money so that he can come back later and say we just have to raise taxes because we cannot balance the budget any other way. I have a solution, quit spending, that is what we have to do. No more spending until you can afford it. The people are tired of this out of control spending. Wicomico is broke and Pollitt wants to buy a parking lot, library, etc, this is just insane.
ReplyDeleteIts just not Slick Rick people. The Seven dwarfs were here long before he was. Pollitt is up to his Chiny Chin Chinssssssssss in this. The Seven D's are just as guilty if not more so.
ReplyDeleteThe facts are the Executive position is a Paper Lion. He has no teeth. The S/Ds have the ability to force every hand he plays. In short why in the hell do we have him at all and his entourage. All at a cost. The answer is to attempt to keep the council just. The people wanted this position because they have become disillusioned a council that had disfranchised voters will.
Voter initiative issues mean nothing to the Seven Ds. They have proven this beyond a doubt. They do not care if the vote is 80% in favor by the poeple. They "Know" better for us? They are smarter than the majority or so they think. I have found this arrogance very disturbing in a time when common people feel have have been overlooked by Goverment once again.
There is no secret Goverment enacts law to protect Goverment. Is what the Seven Ds did legal in regards to Question "A"? Aboslutely yes. Was it illegal to rule in favor of the voice of the people. Absolutely "Not". They clearly defied the voice of the people.
The truth is power breeds corruption and not in the terms of crimnal acts. Just common sense acts of moral judgement. Just doing the right thing. If one turns their back on the people that placed them there. The people have no choice but to make change.
As I see it is is act treason. One is elected under the premise of promiss they made to the voting public. Once in office they turn and do the opposite.
As an American who served this country and this county it is more than just disturbing. It kills one trust in a system we have to believe in to be true patriots. The betaryal is just to much to bear.
It is time for a change. The right people for th job. Voters need to be more prudent than ever. This coutry is in a tail spin over this type of politics. If one can not tell I have lost faith in the current goverment for a multitude of reasons. A goverment that I have bled for. I would rage about the U.S. Goverment but I feel we have to change the home front first.
God Bless and God Speed
The
Wicomican
If the mall owners start demanding rent for parking, make them move that mountain of rubble from the site and clean it up and cut down the weeds and grass in the summer.
ReplyDeleteThey have gotten away with violations for years while other property owners are held to the codes.
Joe:
ReplyDeleteFrank Kratovil is not a state legislator, but Andy Harris is, and he could help his campaign if he would get involved and make the State demand that the price be a fair one.
It is obvious that Norman Conway won't do anything to upset his pal Pollitt.
Sounds like embezzlement to me. Somebody is getting the palm greased.
ReplyDeleteanonymous 11:19, This is not his district, YET.
ReplyDeleteJoe:
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the Maryland General Assembly Dr. Harris has clout in this matter, whereas Kratovil has none as a member of Congress.
This is an opportunity for Harris to shine by getting involved on behalf of the people who can elect him to Congress later this year. And we can't count on Conway or the local pols to do anything to help.
Didn't Mikey Dunn put this scam into motion back when he was on the Salisbury City Council?
ReplyDeleteanonymous 11:29, Just what do you think Harris can do. You can't even gather up enough people on your own to make calls to local offices and make a difference. What makes you think Harris, (while campaigning and working in the Senate) has the time for such matters right now.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to imagine that the same group who went ballistic (by their standards, anyway) over trash cans are STILL pursuing the library, and are still going after this unnecessary parking lot issue. Before we spend money (based on the property values of the overheated market three or four years ago)on more land for parking, lets consider reworking the parking lot we already have. AND maybe paint some nice crosswalks from WI HI's parking to further promote use of LAND WE ALREADY OWN! I'm amazed, once again, that these elected officials have so low a common sense quotient. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd this isn't even getting in to the whole TIFF fiasco that the city initiated.
Before we start the "Make Judge Davis a Saint" campaign, maybe we should check into his record. Word among the LE community is that he's erratic as all get-out. What's up with that? Admittedly that doesn't have anything to do with trash cans....or does it?
ReplyDeleteJoe:
ReplyDeleteHarris can make a difference, especially if he puts this in the spotlight statewide. How can he lose by being a watchdog for taxpayers in the district where he is running for Congress.
11:40 --
ReplyDeleteLet's not crucify the Judge, because it was a county employee (Harris) that placed and approved the order for those trash cans.
anonymous 11:54, I agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteJoe:
ReplyDeletePlease ask both Harris and Kratovil to come to the aid of Wicomico County taxpayers on this absurd parking lot proposal. The local members -- Conway, Mathais, Stoltzfus, Elmore, Cane, etc. -- won't do anything for us.
Thank goodness for the tax cap!
ReplyDeleteI would question the legality of the State mandating the County pay this absorbant price. I do not believe this, but then in a one (1) party State anything is possible. Use Eminent Domain and save Tax dollars. I would also ask if the County Executive and the County Council believes there are these County funds then is this another 1 million hidden like the 3million found? How much more money is there hidden in the County budget? Where is a line item audit?If the County has these funds then why can they not be kept to stay out of the red or if they have to spend it, then spend it on the reasons they use to attempt to raise Taxes, such as school supplies and sports as an example.
ReplyDeleteHow do government employees get away with this nonsense and waste of tax money, over and over again?
ReplyDeleteWhen parking is short, other municipalities turn to off-site parking and buses. At this time the County has no need for additional parking, or any other capital expenditure, they need to buy things created locally and create jobs!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't mean buy at Sams or Walmart, I mean local business where the profits will be spent in Salisbury, which should in turn create local jobs.
I hope the pollitt and his crew dont do this. It will be his last time.
ReplyDeleteI guess since Pollitt isn't focused on food with his Stay Fit Healthy Living campaign, then he focused on spending OUR hard-owned dollars.
ReplyDeleteI still do not know how the Council can justify purchasing land for parking spaces when they are cutting back on services and complaining about the tax cap. If one dollar comes out of our pockets that is one dollar too many. It is time for a major change. If they will not listen to us now, then we must express our opinion when they come up for reelection. Mr. Pollitt needs to be shown the door.... there are more qualified people who will fill his position. It is pure fiscal irresponsibility on their part.
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