It’s not often that we complement an editorial in Salisbury’s newspaper, but the one in Sunday’s issue qualifies for kudos, primarily because it pulls no punches. The writer pointedly charges Pollitt with lack of leadership in his recently proposed budget, even stating that “we can do better.”
Pointing out that Mr. Pollitt has for years bemoaned Wicomico County’s property tax “revenue cap,” blaming it for all kinds of things, the editorial further observes that this year he could raise more tax revenue by increasing the tax rate, after having cut the rate in prior years because of that cap.
But he failed to request a tax hike in his latest proposed budget. Yes, that does seem two-faced, no matter which side of the fence you’re on. There’s a County election this year. As many baseball fans say each fall: “Wait until next year.”
The only point that seems debatable is the suggestion in the editorial that Pollitt could become the leader that “we need”. He has now had several years in which (as the writer states) “we’ve been warned that tough times were coming” during which “Pollitt has been adamantly opposed to certain painful steps that might narrow the gap.”
Can the County’s “public information officer” tell us how many strikes Mr. Pollitt gets before the umpire sends him back to the dugout?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
11 comments:
I would encourage you to read the editorial again...as I did. What they really seem to equate to "leadership" is that elected leaders over the past decade have not raised taxes incrementally but instead tried to do so in one large chunk,thereby creating the backlash that lead to the revenue cap.
They are really saying that our elected leaders failed to slowly raise taxes over time so that it wouldn't be as noticeable.And that if they had done so the cap would have never come about.
It's a superficial analysis at best.It ignores several fundamnental issues that have lead us to where we are today.I think you will see those issues come out as the current proposed budget is debated.
10:49-
Thank you Jim Fineran!
PS - did you really write that comment?
Surprised that they didn't recomment doing away with the County's "public information officer" -- not really.
Ernie Cornbrooks for County Exec --
see the post below by G. A. Harrison.
All of us need to demand immediate tax caps
11:22.. what the hell are you talking about? The DT editorial gave Pollitt as total pass...they took him to task for not raising taxes...they criticized past councils for the same.The editorial totally misses the real reasons for the fiscal crisis....but are you really surprised?
This post nails it -- as much as Pollitt wants to tax more/spend more, he wants to be County Exec forever, so no tax hike this year.
Next year (if he is still the County Exec.) it will be a different matter.
This calls for a Tea Party at Rick's Cafe Americain.
Bogey
Close the gap by putting more people in the welfare line. If that is not the most assanine thing I have ever heard. Look all you C.P.A.s out there give real answers to a real problem. Superficial cuts are not the answer we have to go hard or go home.
Mr. Pollitt gets it. You can't raise taxes in an election year. Instead cut some under $30k and part time workers and don't fill positions you were not filling because of a hiring freeze anyway. Save your 3rd floor pals and start your re-election run.
By the way how much is the failed drill academy costing the tax payers each month? heat lights security water gas electric
Mr. Pollitt cut a position of a beloved and highly respected person. There are so many other places cost could have been trimmed. Before you just cut a job you need to look at whom the person is, how long they have served as a state employee and what their accomplishments were and will continue to be.I will tell every person I know and ask them to do the same not to vote for him and the reason why.
Post a Comment