“I am deeply disappointed in the decision of the County Council to eliminate construction of the new Bennett Middle School from the Capital Improvement Budget. All of us appreciate the serious challenge before us in making this vital project affordable. However, the council’s decision did not need to come at this time. My staff and I have been working diligently with the Board of Education and others to identify new and innovative funding options such as lease/purchase and we have been carefully examining our budget opportunities for ways to fund the school project.
“I am further concerned that the council’s action will cost us millions of dollars in State funding and will lead to an even more expensive project down the road whenever they deem it is the right time.
“There would be several opportunities later in the budget process during the year to pull the plug if we found we could not make the project work. I said myself that when the time came to commit the necessary funds to build the school, if I didn’t think we could afford it, I would cancel the project myself.
“The council’s vote at this early stage of the process sends the unfortunate message that our challenges overwhelm us and rather than fighting to confront them, we are simply going to throw up our hands and say, ‘We quit.’ Well, I don’t intend to quit. The new middle school is long over-due and our community deserves our best efforts at seeing it through. I strongly encourage our community to rally behind this cause and demand that their county government do better.”
Richard M. Pollitt, Jr.
Wicomico County Executive
March 3, 2011
OMG! He just doesn't get it. He should "quit". Why did we vote him in again? He refuses to listen and insists on his own personal agenda. Ricky, this is a "representative" government! THE PEOPLE have spoken and the council has voted. Put your energy on something WE The People want. Glad I didn't vote for this guy.
ReplyDeleteI agree that replacing Bennett Middle is long overdue. The conditions there are not to be tolderated. However, I do know that the Council members have heard plenty from the constituents, who have told them loudly and clearly that we cannot afford the project. The five Council members who voted to table the project were doing what they were elected to do: listen to the voters. I can understand Bob Caldwell's voting for the project, inasmuch as his wife has taught there for many years, and he has the advantage of hearing all about the physical problems with the school. Thank you, Council, for responding to the wishes of those who elected you.
ReplyDelete"I can understand Bob Caldwell's voting for the project, inasmuch as his wife has taught there for many years, and he has the advantage of hearing all about the physical problems with the school. "
ReplyDeleteSo, the five that voted against it are justified by their ignorance of the conditions? If Bob Caldwell, a thoroughly conservative Republican, thought BMS is bad enough that even he thinks it needs to be replaced now, then how bad must those conditions be? It seems the five who voted against it don't know, and don't want to know, and will choose not to find out for themselves.
Not one of the five will dare step foot in BMS during May, June or August. I hope the principal at BMS invites them to a 3 p.m. meeting one day when it's 95 degrees, and he holds it in a classroom upstairs in A win.
So, their plan was to start a project that they lacked funds for, with the option of pulling the plug half way through when the moneu runs out. I can see all the contractors lining up now ready to sue for not honoring their contracts.
ReplyDeleteWhat Rick heard and what I heard were two different things. I heard the council say "We need a new middle school" BUT, "we don't need THIS school plan at THIS time" They spoke of our current debt load and declining revenue. The spoke responsibly and acted the same. They are not against the school- they are realistic that the project AS presented is not possible right now. Rick and I did not hear the same thing... I wonder why?
ReplyDeleteDear Rick,
ReplyDeleteKeep your eye on Fruitland because you may need a new job at election time. Sorry you are so upset.
3:29. I understand your comments, but the question is: are the voters informed or simply having a kneejerk reaction to any spending. I happen to believe that most of the noise comes from folks who don't have a clue about how schools are funded and have been intimidated by those who want to oppose everything just because they can. I would call this cutting off their collective noses to spite their faces. I hope those who actually understand the process will now make as much noise as the sheep who follow all the chicken littles who call Wicomico County home. No, I am not a teacher, a democrat, or any other "demon." I've never had a child in this system or private education either. I just pay my bills, save for the future, and believe we should be building this school now. Pollitt, I think, however, you are fighting a losing battle. You can't have an exchange of ideas and solutions with someone who only has one response - NO! Too bad for the students and eventually, all of us taxpayers who will end up paying more in the future because of this council's shortsightedness.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Caldwell voted the way he did because he actually understands the situation and the ramifications of delaying. Do all you naysayers appreciate the cost of delaying this project, or do you just not care about tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteMy grandpa used to say, Penny wise, pound foolish. I think this applies to this vote on the middle school. This will cost us all a lot more down the road. And then you will really be screaming!
By leaving it on the table, (in the CIP) it is not an authorization of the project to be built. That would come later, if they decided to do it. Removing it from the CIP was simply posturing on the part of the council. At some point in the future, if it were brought forward to them to fund, they could say yes or no then. As far as "the contractors lining up to sue", you evidentally have no idea of what you are talking about and would be better to not comment. People like you are more part of the problem than the solution.
ReplyDeleteDo we NEED gold plate? Do we need the New Temple of Jerusalem or will a properly built Silver Line establishment work. I think the CC's vote is clear. A Gold Plated School (looky here, look what we have) building is not necessary. this emulates all what the local Fire Departments do. I have the next best toy!!!
ReplyDeletewhy did no one complain when the new high school was built. It has a lot of unecessary things in it. We spent the money and now are paying for it.
ReplyDeleteLittle Boy Rick don't be so forlorn;
ReplyDeleteFreddy's in China & Michelle's on the horn
4:13-
ReplyDeleteIt's not a kneejerk reaction -- for over a year Joe Holloway has tried to have meaningful value engineering done but the BOE has resisted. Freddy and Ricky have been absolutely arrogant and the others are their lackeys.
4:35 -
Get real, it's a slippery slope once you start on it and find you can't stop.
4:47 -
The high school fiasco was under a different council that was "tax & spend" but times (and the Council) have changed.
Elections do and should have real consequences.
Nuff Said.
If you wanted a new $500,000 car, but you couldn't afford the payments; would it be wise to buy it anyway? Even worse, would you get your children and grandchildren to cosign the loan? Maybe a new $25,000 car would do the job just as effectively. Maybe it's time for the "tax & spend" people to start living within their means.
ReplyDeleteRick Pollitt didn't learn a thing from his last election. A "come here" who's not well known came within an inch of putting Pollitt out of a job. Obviously, he's a bit dense.
4:47, when funds were authorized and the erection of the new JMB High began, the economy was quite different than it is now.
ReplyDelete4:13, I (3:29) do understand the process because I am a retired teacher. If I had my way--and Wicomico County had the funds--I would want the very finest school that could be built, sparing no expense. I am also a taxpayer, however, and I thank the County Council for looking out for us.
Finally, 3:51, I believe the five who voted against funding at this time are fully cognizant of the conditions at Bennett Middle. They are not living in a vacuum; anyone who reads or listens to the local news knows how desperately a new BMS is needed. Again, they are responding to what their constituents tell them, not necessarily what they would like to do.
as for not air condtioned and poor repair, where was the teacher an B O E when it was getting torn apart, its funny we cant build a building in united states that doesnt last but 40 plus years, and if the teachers didnt have so many professional days now they would have to go as long in summer
ReplyDelete5:51 Well said. I've talked to two of the five who voted to move this project up a year and I have to agree with them. Just wait until Rick discloses his operating budget next month. I think everyone is going to get it then and realize the county has limited money. Does Rick even know the financial picture here in our county? One has to wonder if he is already trying to push another bill on us like the BMS.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I don't believe this sends a message that "our challenges overwhelm us", I believe it is fiscally responsible to put a halt to spending in times like this and take a break until things look better financially.
The same people who wanted the county executive type of government are the same people who are now complaining. Now they want an elected board of ed. Like it will be better than the Council or the City of Salisbury? fat chance. Decent people will not run.
ReplyDeleteI think the school system has bigger problems than no a/c.
ReplyDelete5:29, you get real. By leaving it in the CIP, it is not agreeing to to build the school, but a hopeful wishlist to build A school. It doesn't mean that they can't try to find a more affordable option and come back to the table in a year or so. There was no real point in removing it from the CIP because most realize that a new school is needed.
ReplyDeleteWhat's really needed in our school system is a school just like the existing Bennett Middle as a "Boot Camp" for the area students who are just not being students, and spend their time disrupting class instead of learning.
ReplyDeleteNo heat, no A/C, lockdown doors, and one room all day.
One "teacher" to shoot whoever gets out of line.
Ever since God left our classrooms, this is what we have had to deal with, and what better place.
BTW, I pray for the return of at least a "Basic Morals" class in our schools.
Try going to Giant today and load up your cart to the top...go to the check-out line and when the cashier gives your the total...tell her that you will pay her later. I'm sure she will walk you to your car and help you load them in your Lexus. Wake up people! There is no money!
ReplyDeleteFYI teachers hate professional days so don't put the length of the school year on them. That was added on so the BOE could say "Oh we'll give you a raise but you need to work an extra day." So the teachers must come in, sit around and be bored all day long. Waste of time.
ReplyDeleteWhats the big deal? I attended Bennett Middle when it was new! We had no AC then either! We didn't whine about it we just went day after day. Quit spoiling the little butts and make them learn! that is why they are there!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteToo bad Comfort outweighs Education!
So if the teachers get professional days to come in sit around and be bored, then why are they complaining they have to bring their work home on evenings? Sounds like poor planning to me. As far as the new school, plans need to be scaled WAY down. No one is against a solid foundation, quality ac, heating,electrical, windows, wall, and roof, BUT, anything that adds unnessary cost has to go. This is Salisbury, not Dubai. This is a school, not a palace. Those who want all the upgrades, the beautiful, yet costly design and ammenities can get together and fund it from your own personal pockets. Then see what you come up with. Makes a difference when it comes out of ones own personal pocket whether to spring for the non-necessities I bet.
ReplyDeleteOne "teacher" to shoot whoever gets out of line.
ReplyDeleteEver since God left our classrooms, this is what we have had to deal with, and what better place.
BTW, I pray for the return of at least a "Basic Morals" class in our schools
lmao oh the irony
"My staff and I have been working diligently with the Board of Education and others to identify new and innovative funding options such as lease/purchase and we have been carefully examining our budget opportunities for ways to fund the school project."
ReplyDeleteSoooo, does this mean you still do not know where the funding is coming from?
Also, we all know how it goes about pulling the plug later in the process. It almost never happens that way - and we all know it. That's just bs rhetoric.
I cannot believe his arrogance! To DEMAND that our County government do better is absurd! He's just trying to stick with his motto: "Building Bridges, Building Community." How about we change that to "Cutting Spending, Saving Money?" Mr. Pollitt has furloughed my co-workers and me, hired OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS to determine who gets laid off instead of doing performance based layoffs and cut out roads funding to the point where driving to and from work feels like I'm traveling the Oregon Trail! Meanwhile, he supports the BOE's frivolous habits and spending and continues to retain his overpaid highend government staff!
ReplyDeleteYou may said that you aren't going to quit, but neither are we! Poor fiscal responsibility will not be tolerated by the tax-payers AND employees of Wicomico county!
can these threads go back to the top please? This one and the other response.
ReplyDelete5:46...I love the "come here" nonsense. Hey...let me ask you this..who let the county deteriorate for the past 40 years???..here's a clue...not the come here's
ReplyDelete