POLLITT STILL HASN’T PERCEIVED THE "MESSAGE"
An article in the local MSM about the Wicomico County Council’s decision to defer for a year part of the funding (with borrowed money) for the proposed Bennett Middle School quotes Rick Pollitt about that decision: "You wonder just what message they were trying to send." That’s incredible – what part of "cut County costs and expenses now" doesn’t he understand?
That’s the message which has been sent loud and clear for well over a year by the general public and even longer by certain persons and groups. Do you recall the public meeting that Rick held when he asked for recommendations about the County’s budget and citizens said that it is time to reduce and eliminate unnecessary and wasteful spending (can you say "public information officer")? And last fall, facing a fiscal conservative opponent whose campaign was horrendous, Pollitt was barely reelected. What if that election were held today?
During the past year or so, certain members of the Council (who were reelected by landside or with no opposition) have tried to no avail to have the plans and specs for the middle school changed to eliminate such details as brick pavers rather than conventional concrete walkways, as well as structural redesign to reduce costs. Although the Board of Ed. paid about $20,000 to its design group for cost reduction recommendations, it decided not to make any changes. By the way, the estimated cost of the facility is substantially more than $500 per square foot.
When several members of the Council indicated their concern about the excessive cost of the facility – and the County’s ability to borrow $16 Million next year and at least $25 Million more to build the facility -- look at how Pollitt and Frederickson responded. Rick deployed his "PIO" to provide pablum to the press to pressure the Council, and "Dr. Freddy" tried to play – by his(?) propaganda -- students, parents and teachers. Apparently, they made no effort to get the Board to make any change of the plans and specs for the facility until it became obvious that the Council probably was not going to go along to get along – and then (about a week ago) we began to hear that the Board would consider some, but as yet unspecified, changes to reduce the cost. In light of the record, discussed above, that smells like more BS.
And, now that the Council has addressed, by rejection, the outlandish actions of Pollitt & Company, he and and Freddy don’t get the message. Absolutely unbelievable.
PS – And it’s interesting that the Daily Times, which has a certain "connection" to the Board of Ed., has been beating the drum for Pollitt in this matter
The key words in this post is "to eliminate unnecessary spending" Polick and Bd of Ed have justified the spending for the school; therefore, they don't see it as 'unnecessary spending'. That's the difference.
ReplyDeleteRick, it's called a balance of power.
ReplyDeleteHere is my reaction to today's DT article:
ReplyDelete"Donna Turnamian, president of the Bennett Middle School PTA, joined more than 75 people who attended the council vote"
-There is nearly a 1,000 student population at Bennett Middle. That means that AT MOST 7.5% of the student body was represented at the council meeting. That tells me that there really isn't that many people supporting this ridiculous expenditure. It's a dog in pony show for Mr. Pollitt and the BOE to try to get what they want.
"We're expecting a $4,000 cost increase on a project with every day we wait"
-That is a rather absurd statement to make, especially considering that Frederickson's staff ran the numbers. How about you let economist and construction experts run those kinds of number and Frederickson and his staff can stick to education (of which they don't even do that well). And if you are going to make those kinds of statements then I EXPECT you to be able to back them up; Why is it going to cost $4,000 for each day we delay? What makes up that cost for delay? Don' just put a number out there and expect us to be ignorant and not ask why or how!
"there isn't a Plan B"
-It sucks having to have a Plan B, doesn't it?! Welcome to the real world Freddie! The BOE is so used to getting what it wants and having every budget request rubber stamped with "YES" that they don't even know how to make a Plan B! The BOE should be denied BMS funding for this fiscal year solely on the fact that they had the arrogance to not even be prepared for a "NO!"
"They just didn't need to pull the plug so soon"
-So if it was "left on the table," you would have easily accepted "NO" for an answer later on in the fall? I doubt it!
"A third option was having the school system put funds toward the project from the sale of 8 acres of land it owns at the corner of College Avenue and South Division Street"
-Sell the property first and THEN we will discuss
"I think the real question is how much can we afford to pay back because that does affect the operating budget"
"the county remains in bad shape despite several years of budget cuts, pulling from reserve-type funds and staff reduction measures"
Mrs. Prettyman, I LOVE YOU!
It's so nice to have some reasonable people on council! The County may be below it's debt limit, but it doesn't mean that it is smart or advisable to fully extend its credit and debt load! I have the credit and equity to buy luxury cars, a more spacious home and maybe even a second home somewhere, but you don't see me doing all that. Why? Just because I can do it doesn't mean that I can necessarily afford it! What happens if I completely extend my credit and buy everything that I want and then my luxury car that I spent too much money on breaks down? How do I fix it when I'm living pay check to paycheck and every cent of those paychecks is going to debt? What happens when my spouse or I lose my job and or our income is slashed? Both of which are getting increasingly likely with every pet project of the BOE because my spouse is a County employee. What happens if the County finances this project and tax revenues continue to decline with declining property values? Is the County going to default on paying for the school? No! They are going to raise our taxes, further cut our services and sell every bond until our bond rating is through the floor!
Bend over Wicomico taxpayers! They are going to continue to shove this so far down our throats that they are going to have to create special fund to surgically remove it! And that special fund is going to be by way of removing the revenue cap-any moment now you'll begin hearing Mr Pollitt screaming for the repeal of the Revenue Cap!
All I know is that standing outside of church yesterday everyone was saying how disappointed they were in the vote. I guess not everyone is in favor of this vote; just the loud ones. And yes, they should make their voices louder for the council to know there is another contingent of voters who support this school NOW.
ReplyDeleteLet the fund raising for a new school begin and see how many people put their money where their mouth is, charity begins at home.
ReplyDeleteWe need politicians that are willing to make very, very tough decsions even if it isn't popular for a large minority of people.
Gas getting ready to spike to $4 a gallon? Some things just may have to wait in an economy like this. When a lot more people are back to work and paying in tax revenue. Opening the door to more bad debt is just that, bad debt.