Do You Believe Department Heads Should Live Within The City Of Salisbury?Editors Note: I just came to learn that the new Public Works Director lives in Milford, Delaware. This is a 100 mile a day round trip back and forth to work in a City owned vehicle.
86 comments:
yes I do.
No. Who wants to live in Salisbury?
Maybe not the city limits, but within a reasonable radius of the town center. 50 miles away is ridiculous. All they have to do is add it to the job requirements at human resources.
Nah, if the beat man (or woman) for the job lives outisde of city limits then I really don't care. Now a hundred miles a day is a bit excessive, that car should only be used for work purposes in that town.
They don't have to live in the city but should not be allowed to take a city owned vehicle home nightly. With fuel, wear & tare that's $5,000+
We really should limit 'take-home' rights - this is too much....at a minimum, if they're commuting in a city owned vehicle - they should pay for the upkeep and wear/tear/depreciation and they should be taxed as indirect compensation...check the tax codes!
NO!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes I do. If not their salary could be adjusted to compensate the extra cost to the city.
If the employee lives out of city and that far, he shouldnt be given a take home vehicle.
Yes, and even then no take home!
They should live in the city limits so they can be subjected to the stench they create...like TAXES!!!
Hey Joe you live in Delmar out of 33 employees in your town ,I heard only 2 live in town an no cops or depo heads do.
anonymous 11:52, I happen to agree 100% with your comment.
no, just stipulate that they can't use the car outside of a certain radius.
if not within city limits, at least in the state.
anonymous 11:56, The Town of Delmar, (City Limits, that is) is very small, in case you hadn't noticed. Whil I live in Delmar, I'm close to 5 miles away from the Town Limits.
I believe all city and county workers should be like Sheriff Mike Lewis.
No, it should not be required. The focus should be on the person's ability to do the job, not where they live (which is none of our business). Just because they work for a municipality, does not make them a public figure.
Yes they should! When we purchased a house we intentionally went outside the city limits to lower our taxes. They should have to deal with the circumstances they create or help continue just like the people they work for. The Taxpayers!.
11:52 AGREED!
Yes, if you want use of a take home vehicle., If not, then live where ever you want, but drive your own vehicle.
No, don't have to live in the city but need to use own transportation if their daily commute is outside of certain radius that needs to be set and regulated (if possible).
the employees shouldnt be allowed to take the vehicles home, too many people abuse that privilege. They drive the city vehicles, so they dont have to put wear and tear on their vehicles or supply gas or tune ups. I think same should go for the police, when they arent on duty they shouldnt be in the vehicles driving around or taking their families out in the vehicles either.
The reason they had to go so far away to find someone is that who the heck would want to try to clean up that uncoordinated mess up. Just like Comegy's and Gillis said is they are the most difficult agency to deal with. Nobody in that office does the same work the same way. SNAFU
After the Chiefy Webster fiasco, this is unbelievable.
Where is Ireton on this?
In my opinion, no. Just another right taken away from an individual by the goverment.
I own property in Salisbury,pay
city taxes,yet have no right to
vote in city elections. Why should
those living outside city limits
have the right to participate in
the decision making process?
Milford? Yeah, that's awesome. Not only a different county, but a different state. Why don't elect a president who's not from this country? Oh wait, we already did. I guess it's OK then.
It doesn't matter how far they're willing to drive to get to and from work, but they should use their own vehicle and gas. Period.
NOW, the exception would be any employee who's required to respond to emergency situations as part of their job...then there should be a time to respond requirement...10 minutes?
Someone with a Town of Delmar public works vehicle spends a lot of time in Pocomoke. And there was a story in the Daily Times recently, Pocomoke City is working on a plan to limit police take home cars to 15 miles and they pay gas + wear and tear beyond that.
Did this person get to work on the slick unpassable roads every day? Maybe that is why our city streets were in such bad condition. She could not see them from there? I agree these people need to live close to work at least in the county. How can they properly manage a department if they are NOT familar with the the area the work is to be done?
question, does wicomico county charge for the take home vehicle? some counties charge, its not much but employees do have to pay some, and most counties you are not allowed to go anywhere but home and work and NO ONE allowed in vehicle, and i do not think it matters where he lives.
NO!!! 11:52 I agree totally!!
Cheese n crackers there so really narrow-minded people out there....
Salisbury cannot afford take home ESPECIALLY now... and definitely not in this case.
All deprt heads and up should live within the city..: to be GREEN, even using their own cars
Accountability- utilities and info structure, unsightly areas, taxes and oversight problems
Emergencies- meetings, storms, closures, spills
While I know this might inhibit what you list as qualifications for some positions. I think hiring people that live in and support this or any city, and see the needs and have true commitment to care and nurture this city to what it could and should be......will MORE than make up for some sort of degree or certificate. People that live and breath the city, rather than just put in their time...8hrs a day...
{11:52am} hipboots
Anonymous said...
In my opinion, no. Just another right taken away from an individual by the goverment.
12:22 PM
A right taken away? They should be glad the city gave them the opportunity to have a job.
My Answer is yes.
It would be nice and appropriate. Unfortunately very few have a desire to live in the city because of its decline. The massive amount of rentals and crime made me move outside the city. There are very few pockets of peace in the city any more. I guess I would have to ask why someone would want to work for the city to start with. If the circus of government is as bad as it seems from the outside, I cant imagine the inside. We should settle for a department head living in the Salisbury area and be glad somebody their willing.
YES
By the way my guess is the "No's" are from department heads and city employees and not the tax payers.
Anonymous said...
No. Who wants to live in Salisbury?
11:39 AM
You say no? Salisbury is good enough to work in but not good enough for you to pay taxes? Find another job then.
Sometimes it is better to bring an outsider in so that they are not embroiled in the local politics and you get more of an objective view of what needs to be done. If they are strong enough to voice their independent opinion is a seperate issue.
Do away with all take home vehicles. They should be used strictly during work hours.
Absolutely yes and anyone that is "required" to have a take home car needs to live in the city as well.
i think that either of the following choices are acceptable:
A) live in city limits & have a take-home car; or
B) live wherever you want & no take-home care or mileage reimbursement.
I don't think its a good idea to miss out on potentially great candidates just because they don't live in city limits. we should just have restrictions.
and also if he is head of public works he is on call 24/7 365 days, and does not get paid for after hour phone calls that happen at night, in middle of night and days off, so if he gets a truck as perk big deal! who cares where lives! im sure there is people here that work at stores and in food service but would not shop or eat at their work!
yes, citizenship has been a requirement for city boards and commissions ... so why not city employees as well? ... and per IRS regulations, to / from work in a work-supplied vehicle is a taxable event ... all personal mileage should show on her W2
Let the employee live where they wish as long as they are a legal US citizen. The Town of Ocean City has dramatically cut the use of "take home cars" in order to reduce costs. Commuting is not official government business that taxpayers should be footing the bill for.
Anonymous said...
The reason they had to go so far away to find someone is that who the heck would want to try to clean up that uncoordinated mess up. Just like Comegy's and Gillis said is they are the most difficult agency to deal with. Nobody in that office does the same work the same way. SNAFU
There was no reason for them to go so far to find someone. This woman has never worked in the field of Public Works and she is not qualified for the position. She is pretending to be looking for a house in the city limits. Nice diversion tactic to get hired. Way to go Jimbo.
Yes all department heads should be required to live in the city limits. Including the new fire chief. Oh wait where is that person?
I don't think that the person should have to reside in Salisbury city limits, or even Maryland, necessarily. As a PP noted, what matters is getting the most qualified person for the job. Residency requirements could limit the candidate pool- especially with regards to candidates who have school-age children. Not to mention, a spouse shouldn't have to relocate or end a job just because of a job in the city.
That being said, I have to drive to work in my own car, using my own gas. Take home vehicles is a luxury that we can't (and shouldn't) afford. Work vehicles should be used only for the explicit purpose of work. The Public Works Director shouldn't even have access to a vehicle unless attending out of town meetings or something. It should be expected that she use her own vehicle- things like travel would come under the auspices of a more important, higher paying job. For example, I work for the state and have a Master's degree. Because of that, I am not eligible for cash overtime. It is presumed that because I have that level of education, I would have additional job duties that would require a greater level of responsibility. And of course, I make more than someone who doesn't have a Master's (albeit not a lot more, truth be known...).
at least in the county. they should live close enough to have to experience the consequences of the rules; laws; and decisions they make. as far as a vehicle; they should only be able to use it for work; nothing else....
11:39 If you don't want to live in the city then we don't want you running a city you don't like. Please go somewhere you like.
Of course they should! Unquestionably! If they work for the city, they should live in Salisbury. If they work for the county, they should live in Wicomico County.
It is outrageous that this man is able to use the city's money to drive this car (that I am sure was not only bought buy the city but also provides gas and service for the car)all the way to Milford, DE!
Not necessarily within the town limits but at least in the county. Take home vehicles should be limited. He chose to work here knowing he lived that far away so he should have to pay for it.
Yes, Additionally, your information is and isn't true. The new director is living in DE with family while shopping for a home in Salisbury. She said at our meeting that her plan is to live in Salisbury. Did you call and talk to her about residency before publishing a somewhat misleading account of where she lives?
In a crisis situation, I would like to think that the head of public works would be within 10 minutes of his or her place of business.
It seems obvious that if a person wishes to work for a City Government, she/he should actually live in the city.
I am offended by the thought that our City would hire people to work in a city tax paid job when the applicant does not live here.
What is wrong with people?
I want to work for the New York Yankees. But I am a Mets fan.
Do you think they would mind if I wear a Mets ball cap while I mow the grass for Yankees?
WTF?
YES
YES
I think they should be required to live on Isabella Street
i am sure his spends his pay ck in MD, 6% sales tax..... not DE sales tax free. i want to know who employed this person. also salisbury is the last city on delmarva i would have dealings with as far as public works goes. i had one deal with them, never agian
3:42 i agree. lol
If indeed the commenter is accurate that she is residing temporarily with a family while she searches for a residence in or near Salisbury, then this is a frivolous discussion. A little more investigation should have been done before raising this issue, actually, just one additional question would have yielded a logical answer.
They had a great candidate "in house". Chip Messick has worked there for a long time and would have been a great Director. The only vehicles that should go home are for employees subject to being on call for emergencies.
As I stated previously, it seems
grossly unfair to me that as an owner of rental properties who pays a significant amount of
property taxes to the city each year, that I have no say come election time. However, a department head who lives outside city limits and pays nothing at all to the city has the authority
to make important decisions that affect the actual taxpayers of the city.
County employees do not pay for their take home privileges nor do they file this benefit on their taxes.
12:41PM, Delmar police officers also have take home vehicles. And a few live outside of Delmar.
Police Officers are NOT Department Heads.
2:01 what if you work for the city and your spouse works for the county where should you live?
You would think there would be at least one qualified person within the City limits of Salisbury to be Public Works Directors. But, certainly a city owned vehicle should not be used to commute. The car could be parked in Salisbury for use during business hours. Bet the job wouldn't be so appealing if you had to drive your own car.
I have lived in the City for many years in Newtown, BEFORE, it was Newtown. I would have been offended terribly if someone was running the city that did not live in it. that is not too little to ask for sure. If your spouse works for the county oh well. Living in the city also makes you a resident of Wicomico County in my book.... Wicomico is part of the "big picture".
Yes I do. If they lived here while they worked here how much money would we save on gas and wear and tear alone. Maybe things would change if they had to deal with everything they are working for *or not working for* instead of going home to another place and forgetting about the monster many of them have created.
What's next the POTUS being able to live in Kenya?
i guess us city tax payers will soon have to pay for a limo for Ireton!!
No, but there should be a restriction on how far they live away to get a take home vehicle.
Who cares where they live as long as they can do their job and respond in a reasonable time.
Sounds like there are two questions on the table:
1. Should city employees live in the city? Yes, and dare I say as part of their compensation and encourage homeownership within the city that they should get a tax break - particularly police recruits who are interested in buying a home in an area of the city that needs to be targeted for additional attention?
2. Take home vehicles. Police cars should be allowed to take home if there is adequate supply. It does have a positive impact on the community where it is parked. Otherwise, no...it has no positive impact on the community at all.
if they dont they should drive their own damn cars to work like the rest of us
Live in the city? Yes.
They should be able to demonstrate that they are connected to the city in more than just their jobs. People who have a stake in something have more respect for it.
Look, my spouse works for them, and my understanding was no one does the take home vehicles anymore. No one does the take home vehicles anymore, they cut it out since they are so broke and can't even give raises. My spouse does not and has not ever gotten a take home vehicle. It has been awhile now that they cut that out. None of the supervisors take them home either. If they are called out for anything, they have to go to there designated yard and pick-up the city vehicle to do there job. I think you all are looking for something to nit pick about, and what business is it of anyone's where someone lives? Where do you all think that someone can get off dictating so to speak about there residence? As long as she does her job with effiency, dedication, and respect, who cares!
Guidelines
1) Live in the city
2) If no qualified people then no further out than the county
If we can't find someone qualified within at least the city and no further out than the county, then we are in serious trouble.
I have to add that Isabella Street is without a doubt something that no one with common sense thought of. Sorry Barrie if in fact you played into this.
That saying about being a fly on the wall. I would have loved to have seen the snow plow on that street.
Live in the city? Yes.
They should be able to demonstrate that they are connected to the city in more than just their jobs. People who have a stake in something have more respect for it.
8:38 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Look, my spouse works for them, and my understanding was no one does the take home vehicles anymore. No one does the take home vehicles anymore, they cut it out since they are so broke and can't even give raises. My spouse does not and has not ever gotten a take home vehicle. It has been awhile now that they cut that out. None of the supervisors take them home either. If they are called out for anything, they have to go to there designated yard and pick-up the city vehicle to do there job. I think you all are looking for something to nit pick about, and what business is it of anyone's where someone lives? Where do you all think that someone can get off dictating so to speak about there residence? As long as she does her job with effiency, dedication, and respect, who cares!
9:55 PM
Are you out of your mind?? I ride by Neighborhood Services and Code Compliance every day and there cars are no where to be found after hours. I also intentionally ride by their office on Church Street on weekends and there parking lot is always empty. What happened to the take home car policy?? Get rid of Tom Stevenson now or we will get rid of the Mayor and current council.
The City actually had that rule for a brief time under Mayor Martin. It didn't work. They could not fill positions with qualified people and in some cases had ZERO applicants.
The take home vehicle is a different issue. The only people that should have take home vehicles are those that need to respond rapidly to a water/sewer main break or some other emergency.
Few take home vehicles are legit, but they are legit just the same.
The Public Works Director is relocating and has been looking for a house in Salisbury.
The take home vehicles are in a secured area nights and weekends.
This country will be in dire straits when the goverment tells you where and wherenot you can live. Honestly I don't think its legal. Some streets in Salisbury are surrounded by city limits but for whatever reason are in the county.
4:12:
If you want to vote in the city, live inthe city!
Anonymous said...
The City actually had that rule for a brief time under Mayor Martin. It didn't work. They could not fill positions with qualified people and in some cases had ZERO applicants.
11:26 PM
You mean to tell me that Mayor Ireton couldn't have found a qualified position in house to fill the Public Works Director's position?
What about the current opening for Fire Chief? Isn't there anyone qualified in the city to fill the fire chiefs position? I bet both departments have someone right under their nose.
No!!!! Only a liberal thinks the gov't has the right to tell people where to live. Choose the best person for the job, period. If where a candidate lives plays into making him/her more qualified, so be it.
Remember, Hitler told people where to live.
12:50pm "You mean to tell me that Mayor Ireton couldn't have found a qualified position in house to fill the Public Works Director's position?"
I don't mean to tell you anything other than the City had the you have to live in Salisbury to work for the City rule before and it didn't work.
Anonymous said...
12:50pm I don't mean to tell you anything other than the City had the you have to live in Salisbury to work for the City rule before and it didn't work.
7:26 PM
So please tell us faithful readers of Sbynews.com why it didn't work!
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