"It's a gamble. We're self-insuring," said Thompson, who said he believes the county will save money by not paying for the insurance premiums.
Since when did Mike Thompson become a financial annalist? He's the HR Director for Wicomico County.
So just who created the idea of self insuring county employees. I can't repeat this enough. When the account is tapped out, will the county employees continue to receive free life insurance, or will they have to foot the bill themselves down the road.
The most interesting part of this life insurance policy change is that I do not believe the taxpayers truly understand the impact of what is inevitable. That account will run dry, while the county acquires more property. And when it does, you'll forget that this ever happened and you'll forget its lingering in the background. It's a gamble alright!
I believe your representatives should be looking after you, always keeping your best interests in mind. In this case, this is not the case. Take it a step farther, if you will. If YOU had 800 people living in your household or working for you, would YOU self insure them?
Here's an idea for you Rick. How about you cut a deal with all employees that they give the county 5% of their life insurance back to the county. These funds would be used to pay back the taxpayers for all of the funding they put into these policies through the insurance company. It's a small price to pay to offset the cost and there's no risk on the taxpayers.
I'm not sure its legal but it sure is worth looking into. It secures every one and all this drama goes away. You've furloughed every one and if you think we don't know that job cuts are still in the future, well, you'd be mistaken.
The difference here is, there's never been something like Salisbury News to expose such possibilities or ideas. The local MSM simply tells you what they're fed. The Blogs allow thousands of creative minds to express their thoughts and opinions and by golly, no one can convince me that Rick Pollitt is a smarter businessman than all of us combined.
No one was aware this was about to take place. In government, this scares me to death. If a County Executive can make such moves without the consent of the County Council, what else is taking place without our knowledge?
Our local government is out of control and that's all there is to it. This decision, along with having Jim Fineran's back to keep his PIO job and let's not forget the 6% pay raise soon after they were hired will probably be the end to Rick Pollitt's career as County Executive. It may be an excellent time for others to jump into the race because I do not believe the incumbent will survive this.
IMHO, it's time to ask the County Council to consider eliminating the County Executive position and or bring it to referendum THIS upcoming election. With all due respect, I dare ANYONE to provide me with what Rick Pollitt has done positive for Wicomico County? I'll await your reply.
What ever happened to that zero based budget you promised during your election race?
*One more thing! Look at the county manual regarding death benefits. "may pay" and "may be available". It does not say SHALL PAY or SHALL BE AVAILABLE.
In addition to the disclaimer posted above (*); 2 pages below addresses when death benefits "MAY" be administered.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
25 comments:
P.O.S. is what he is. I believed in this guy. He is liar and a coward
I work for the county and I have never seen moral as low as it is. Oh sure, there will be those out there who say "don't like it? - then leave" but that is not the point.
Most county employees understand and are willing to go along with the furlough plan and most feel they are truly blessed to have a job in this day and time. But what the county has done is take away and take away and take away without addressing the moral issue. This has been spiraling downward for years and every since former HR head Ed Cox moved to South Carolina, the attitude from the higher ups in HR and in the administrative has been dismissive and patronizing towards their OWN employees and the Executive is completely oblivious to it all. A damn shame.
Rick are you reading this Blog to see what your county employees think of you and your way of not keeping them informed? And, it's not only county employees, it's most of Wicomico County citizens. We really, really need to get rid of this County Executive BS position along with Creamer, Finneran and Shea.
without risk there is no reward,oh,I'm sorry,thats a free maeket concept.theres got to be a way they can tax these damn sucessful hard working people even more,and with time the govt will figure something out,they always do.the only thing garanteed in life is death and taxes.even after the revolution.lets all camp out and watch the govt all day.I wish I had the time.create controversy,so they can look useful.hahaha
I pay for my life insurance through my company... Why should I have to pay taxes to cover life insurance for county employees?
If county employees want to keep their life insurance cut their pay.
anonymous 10:40, get your head out of your a$$.
I have stated this far too often. Government employees make far LESS money than you do. This is called a PERK. One way for government to offer such policies is because they have so many employees, the rates are rediculously low.
Don't you think States Attorneys could make a LOT more money working for the private sector, just as an example.
The difference being is, as long as they are performing every day in good faith and they lose 90% of their cases, they'll keep their job. Look at the Zookeeepers at the Salisbury Zoo. They don't make squat! They bust their a$$es every day in hot temperatures as well as the freezing cold while you sit in an office and enjoy heat and a/c.
People take these jobs at lower pay because they get benefits and job security.It's not for everyone but when you start taking those benefits away, well, we're starting to look like foreign countries who couldn't care less about who works for them. Hence child labor and so forth.
Now, all that being said, who wants to bet that someone inside the HR Office drafted that comment!
What would it take to eliminate the County Exec (and his associated minions)? Is it up to the council, or would it require a referendum, or what?
Could you check on that and post it, Joe, so that the taxpayers know what needs to be done to end this foolish experiment?
"Whatever happened to that zero-based budget you promised during your election race?"
Haha-- he came through. His budget was zero-based-- he knew ZERO about doing it. That's why Ted Shea is still around.
Without his staff and props, he's dead in the water.
What do you mean Ted Shea? Petersen does his job. That is why her department is in shambles. Her head is on the third floor supporting all the fat.
Joe, did you ever consider that maybe people take these jobs not for perks, but to do Public Service? It's not always about what "I" can get out of it. If people can make an honest living at a pay rate less than the private sector might pay, there are actually some folks out there willing to sacrifice the paycheck to try to make a difference. I believe Rick is one of those guys. He comes from a long line of public servants - some families actually teach that kind of stuff. I don't know him so well, but I knew his dad and granddad were the best! I think he probably learned the right lessons from them.
Ed, please, respectfully, do tell us what Rick has done for Wicomico County??????
We got a snazy new parking lot.
1:22 I am not questioning Rick's loyalty to the citizens or his desire to "serve" - I (and I am sure some others) are questioning his ABILITIES,SKILLS, and EFFORTS (especially the LACK of same).
Do you honestly believe he is the best person in the county to do that job? Give someone else a chance.(no lawyers or career public servants, please - only businessmen with proven track records), damn where are the Richard Henson's of the county?
I believe Rick Pollitt has brought honesty and integrity back to Wicomico County government, at least from his office. He is working with an unprecedented economic situation and still is trying to look out for our most vulnerable citizens - our seniors and our youth. It's not always about the Almighty Dollar. Yes, he has some challenges ahead, and yes, he has made some mistakes. But I would rather have someone who makes mistakes and learns from them, than someone who would just as soon cheat me as look at me. Say what you will about him, but I believe Pollitt is an honest man. That's enough for me.
Just another sign of the collapse of America that is just around the corner. Get ready folks-it's going to be a long, hard ride.
Ed is not Ed. He is Rick. Nice try Ricky.
Ed I agree that Rick is an honest man with good intentions. You say that's enough for you. That's not very smart. Mentally handicapped people are mostly honest people. Would you want a mentally handicapped person in the position of County Exec? Seriously Ed? Seriously? Have you ever heard the phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"? Honesty IS a necessary quality - but it can never be "good enough".
@2:02 we sure did get a snazy parking lot. We paid for 5 acres and got 4 acres for the price of 5. We also got a spiffy new piece of farm land to develop in to a park just like the new water front property that was supposed to be a park. We were also ripped off for nearly 1/2 a million at the landfill the county got 250k from insurance and called it even. What happened to the 13 others involved that were supposed to be fired from their positions? They're still working for the county. Yeah we got a lot from Rick Pollitt. What we got was the Golden Screw.
the good old boys starts way back with Carl Peterson & Phil Tilghman & Matt Creamer,Peg leg Shea etc.they all worked the system to their ad vantage.taking care of each other and screwing over all County Employees with their cover up scheme for years.why do you think Kurt Banks left when he did. why because he didn't fit in.the good old boys need to retire their all older than dust.some have drawers that they have never changed.
Give me someone you can trust any day of the week. I agree with Ed. You can learn budgets but you can't learn integrity. And I would say more of the commenters are more mentally challenged than Pollitt.
Pollitt does not have intregrity. Now that is a laugh and a half to get my juices flowing this morning. Integrity means doing the right thing despite personal loss.
1. Rick kept his buddy on staff while f*cking the employees.
2. Rick continued to keep fat layers on staff because he needs them to stay in office.
3. Rick took very confidental information from an employee and turned it against them.
4. Rick continued to allow fraudulent employees to remain on the payroll because they were threatening him to bring out some real big stuff that includes the boys.
5. Rick allowed the detention center issues to continue and then allowed the employee who was hired to do his job over there to be degraded over and over again.
Integrity? Never judge a book by the cover. Read the contents.
Rick may seem like a big soft man but he is a cruel person full of nothing but fulfilling his personal gratification.
The day you are ousted from office will be a day of feast and festivities for many many people, including myself, you narcistic piece of dung.
Whoa, 6:39. I guess you are an angry person. Therapy could help.
First on all..Anonymous 10:40. Since you feel your tax money should not help with life insurance for County employees then maybe some of the County Employees ( And I am speaking about the cops and prison guards ) should not protect you. Next time you have to call 911 for an emergency ..... think about that person that is coming to help knowing that if he/she dies ...your a## won't be there to help their family. I mean fair is fair... Why should they risk their lives for you and leave their families behind to suffer. I agree with cutting back. If you are a county employee and you sit behind a desk then fine cut the life insurance but if you go out and risk your life everyday for the county then dont you think that the county should give them that piece of mind that their family will be ok........
10:10 There is a ton of us angry and our therapy will be seeing you gone. hahahahaha
12:30 I 10:10)live in Delaware - just enjoy the entertainment value of reading comments from the WiCo morons. So hahahaha to you! :)
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