In the last two years we have seen Wicomico County Executive Rick Pollitt spend $300,000 per acre ($1.5 million) to increase parking at the Civic Center. We’ve seen him spend $10,000 per acre ($1 million) on 100 acres of land for a park that the county can’t afford to build. One of the excuses was that this was to be paid for with “Program Open Space” funds. According to Pollitt and his pals it’s “FREE MONEY”. If he doesn’t waste it, someone else will.
Now, to add insult to injury, the 116 acres adjacent to this great deal on Levin Dashiell Road is up for sale – AT LESS THAN $5,000 PER ACRE!
Way to go Rick! It’s little wonder that between you and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley both Wicomico County AND the state of Maryland are broke!
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21 comments:
GA:
Don't forget that Salisbury's "leading appraiser" Bill McCain voted for those deals.
Unfortunately, Pollitt is a certain winner in this fall's election. That's all the more reason to replace Cannon, McCain, MacLeod and Sample-Hughes with Republican conservatives
GA:
Don't forget that Slick Rick is O'malley's campaign manager here in Wicomico.
Pollitt is letting the school system reimburse the bus contractors for fuel at a rate well above the actual price they pay.
That's brilliant (if you want to buy votes).
Your biggest problem seems to be you don't understand that, frustrating as it may be, Pollitt is right about the money going elsewhere if Wicomico county doesn't use it. It's not like it will be returned to the taxpayer. And if you think Pollitt or any other local politician has any control over these rules, you are dreaming. Also, you are talking apples and oranges when you tie this in to the revenue cap. This money for parks and such cannot be used for services the revenue cap money would address. It appears obvious to one who has been following this blog for a while now, that you just look for anything at all to criticize Pollitt for, whether there is merit to your argument or not. You talk a good story; too bad you care more about slant than reality.
Unfortunately, it is the State of Maryland's system that will collect taxes from citizens only to have those funds designated for the purchase of land which ultimately will be taken off the tax rolls and remain dormant until they raise taxes for infrastructure. What a system!
It may be that some of these candidates running against Conway and Mathias understand this and will participate in the elimination or repealing such law.
G.A., I do not normally take the position of defending liberal politians, however in this situation there are a couple of factors that need to be considered.
1. The County's purchase was in a prveious market, prices have declined some since then.
2. The County purchased 100 acres of clear land with all the road frontage and excellent soils.
3. The adjacent acreage for sale consists of both clear and wooded land.
4. NO road frontage is available at all, just an easement off Levin Dashiell.
5. The soils are not as well drained, thus decreasing the value.
When one considers these factors, the pricing/cost difference seems to be fairly reasonable. By the way I will be listing the property in the MLS later this week.
Don Coffin, REALTOR
410 546 2111
Gail-get a grip! We (taxpayers) have had enough with the excuses. We want results. Find a way to change the norm of spending and start putting it to more "useful" projects/resources. Many of the political people/gov't executives don't have a clue to the scope of how citizens are outraged about this type of "free money".
Gail
Let's use a metaphor here.
Someone breaks into a house and steals all of the jewels from a jewelry box. The thief displays all the jewels to his friends and says take whatever you want because I got it for free. So the taker says "what the hell" if I don't take it someone else will.
Period.
Why does everyone think grants are "free"?They are not,its a piece of the money all of us working people pay in taxes.
Mr. Coffin,
In ref. to your comment #4, yes it is true that the newly available parcel does not have the road frontage that the 100 acres the county currently owns, it does have road frontage! Albeit just 100 feet wide! The access is in fee simple at 100' wide... This IS NOT AN EASEMENT but part of the 116 acres that is for sale! Im sure that was just an oversight on your part!!??
Gail = Rick hahaha.
Rick go do your job instead of skimming the blog. Bad boy.
1:28 Nice metaphor, but it has nothing to do with Maryland law. The laws are there and your state representatives and senators must change those laws before anything else can be done. 1:11, I have a strong grip on what is allowed by law and what is not. Educate yourself before you go off on an emotional, nonfactual rant. You can only play cards with the hand you are dealt. If you don't like it, change the rules - legally by working through government.
Did you forget about the big raises he gave his top people when he started out?
1:58: You are correct description wise. It is in fact a 100 foot access (easement) to the acreage in the rear of the County's property that will/can be conveyed fee simple.
I was simply trying to keep it "simple". The point being that the 100 foot frontage is for access only and cannot be subdivided. The County land could be subdivided with direct access off Levin Dashiell for each lot, thus making it more valuable.
Don Coffin
410 546 2111
Gail/Rick-It is called the principle of it. Go take an enema.
Gail -
We can only conclude from your argument that if the government permits murder, than you would consider it morally acceptable because it is "legal" and that someone else is going to do it? No, this is not some overly emotional hypothetical; you basically admit that the only defense is that the law is the law and that someone else will take the money if Wicomico County doesn't.
It's not a question of beating up on Pollitt. It's a question of doing the right thing.
Exactly. Thank you G.A.
Period
1:11 here Gail... It's quite obvious that you don't have a grip or handle on anything people are conveying about this post. Wastful spending is a threat to our way of life. I would hope you have some agreement to this fact, but I'm not holding my breath. Yes, these are emotional responses from everybody that has a comment about this, you might not like, but this is what its come to and we've had enough. Back room deal making, spending money like there's no tomorrow have got to change. If you haven't heard or comprehended a word we've said here, you might want think about-as you say.."getting educated" .
I agree with Gail in principle. The money WILL be used somewhere by someone - that is a fact of life as we know it. It may as well help our county and you are way off base to compare it to murder. I think it's just a question of being pragmatic. G.A. do you really think anything would change if Pollitt refused these funds for Wicomico? I would call that irresponsible.
GA: To quote Joe "That's just plain stupid."
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