Although the cost to Wicomico County taxpayers of having a “public information officer” on the County Executive’s staff is not the reason for the fiscal crisis that the County faces, it compounds the situation for no valid reason. The County does not need that position.
Mr. Pollitt and the other members of his staff are capable of keeping the public informed both in the news media and on the County’s website, and answering questions from County residents and others. That work load would not overwhelm them.
Why, then, after asking County residents what they prefer to be cut from the budget has Pollitt not followed their recommendation to eliminate the PIO position? Even more baffling: why has Pollitt attempted to defend his decision to keep a mouthpiece on his staff?
He claims that the “PIO” is needed now more than ever. In an election year, how convenient to have a paid propaganda provider at your beck and call.
If Pollitt’s proposed budget involves the discharge of any County employee but not the PIO, the voters should discharge Pollitt in the upcoming County election
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
33 comments:
(PIO) does that mean position is obsolete?
you cannot be more correct
Ted Shea and Matt Cramer should go also
At his dog & pony show in the Civic Center last week, he said that he was not going to cut the PIO position -- Pollitt just doesn't get it even when it is handed to him by residents that we don't need that position.
Maybe the Council can do the job for him after they get his budget proposal.
as a county employee I couldn't agree more...in fact if layoffs happen and no one on the 3rd floor is laid off, i think the county employees should do something, walk out, strike, etc.
Ricky can't go back to Fruitland as its city manager -- they don't want him.
That position should have been terminated years ago.
Not even Salisbarrie has a "public information officer" so why does Pollitt need one.
Who is the PIO now and what is his or her salary and benes?
Another reason to keep the tax "revenue" cap!
Mr. Pollitt is a typical bureaucrat. He has never ran a business nor held a position outside of government, which in itself is alarming.
His comments and remarks about eliminating the revenue cap and laying people off are indiative of the bureaucrats' thinking.
A reduction of personnel costs by billet elimination, ("PIO" for example), early retirements, attrition and privitization of services are foriegn words in his vocabulary and not understood.
Surely there must be an entrepreneur or retired businessman/manager in the area that would seek this office, and the challenge of efficiently running Wicomico County.
Mr Pollitt continues to repeatedly demonstrate that his thinking and management skills are not up to the task.
I agree 100%. Impeach Pollitt if he doesn't pull the plug on his friend.
The PIO was an unfilled position that didn't need to be filled. He also didn't need to fill the Assistant County Administror's position. What a wasted. Typical Tax and Spend Democrat!!
Rick:
WHY?
Pollitt is enjoying the easy life in the executive position. Now, if he could only get a couple members off the county council to make things more comfortable for him.
AMEN!
Think Rick is a really nice person, but his position should Leave From Our County!! Should have never been in the first place!!
Spend, spend has been the name of the game for far to long-----It's finally caught up with them. People need to keep their thoughts vocalized in the medias. We will be taxed to death if they aren't haulted in their tracks!!
Why does Pollitt even bother to ask us what should be cut out of the budget -- he doesn't listen.
Please don't send him back to us.
The Fruitlanders
Can't wait to see the press release on Pollitt's proposed budget written by his "PIO". Wanna bet it doesn't say anything about that position?
Thank goodness for that tax cap!
I own my own company. I do my advertizing, my releases and have time to even do my job with no assistances, no secretary. I even answer my own phone. When it comes to government it would take probally 12 people to do MY JOB. They use my tax money to do the job. CUT THE FAT! Take the jobs of the upper crust and NOT the jobs of the workers on the bottom. STOP SPENDING MONEY WE DONT HAVE.
Didn't Pollitt run for office on a platform of "no more good ol' boy system"? Finneran is a huge waste of money, as he doesn't even do half of the things he 'releases'. He just forwards the forms out to a group of people. How hard is that? The County had an information officer position, but was paid in the neighborhood of $25,000. When Finneran moved in, suddently it got a LOT more expensive to staff.
I agree. PIO not necessary.
City ready to waste money, too. Last night, Shields and Smith wanted to ram through a policy to waste funds gotten from developers, like on the Bricks.
That needs to stop too.
Smith needs to turn in her Republican card. She was also in real bad form last night. She aught to turn in her president's card too.
10:58 --
Jim Fineran is Pollitt's PIO and good pal. Whatever he is paid is twice too much.
Ed Baker is a snake in the grass as well. I think it is time for him to move on as well. Oh thats right they made him a full time. gave him county retirement. I heard they paid into it as well. I think I know why. The P.I.O. should go as well. In the past I have spoken out against forced man power reduction. In the last two days I have heard and seen things that Pollitt and company have done.
Ricky I dont know if you just dont understand or you the crook people are making you out to be.
I just heard from person in the know that your county attorney tried to kill Senate Bill 1123 that could aid the Wicomico County Sheriff's deputies and police officers across the state. What in the hell where you thinking ??
The bill passed by the way Joe. Something stinks on Baptist Street.
most of you need to look yourselves in the mirror instead of bellyaching about all this crap. YOU - YOU - and YOU all , by an overwhelming margin - PASSED the charter amendment in 2004 that created this extra layer of beaurocracy (sp). You go what you deserved so stop complaining. It was ALL spelled out in the prevote information but now that it is come to fuition, you want to whim about it. Thats what I love about you ignorameses. LOL
12:53 --
So that's where Jim went -- from the gravy train to the public trough.
Wicomico's government administration is making that in Salisbury look good, even if not great.
At the Civic Center last week Pollitt said "I hate to spend money" so why not do away with the PIO position?
The financial problem in Wicomico:
too many chiefs - not enough Indians!
Pollitt does not care about the working man or woman so long as he gets your tax dollars to spend. The thing about all of this is that if he had done the right thing when he started in office and not just keep spending folks around here might be more receptive to raising the cap. Truth is he started spending as soon as he took over rather than trying to make some cuts then. With his track record so far there is no way we can stand to lift the cap. This county didn't need an executive to start with and now look where it's got us (1:41pm that's why I voted against it!!)
What is the point of the executive office associate that works there??? It seems like to me some get jobs based on who you know not actually for experience!!!
Awww - c'mon folks. Slick Rick is just a really nice guy who is completely misunderstood. He really is there to help us all out - really......now, we should return the favor and help him...out the door!
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