As Wicomico County faces its tightest budget in recent memory, one county agency admits that it has people on the payroll who are not needed. The Wicomico Public Library, while bewailing funding cuts, admits that there is at least one person drawing a salary whose job is redundant.
During last Tuesday’s budget session with the Wicomico County Council, Library director Tom Hehman admitted that he had someone on the payroll who he “wished would retire”. This was in response to the question asked of each department head / agency director regarding the upcoming “early retirement” program pushed on council by County Executive Rick Pollitt.
According to Hehman, since the Library was not getting a new building this person wasn’t really needed. However, this individual was currently drawing a salary (with benefits) of almost $80,000. Councilman Joe Holloway asked Hehman why he didn’t eliminate the position.
We were unable to determine Hehman’s response. Assistant County Administrator Sharon Morris interjected that “you just can’t fire people”.
17 comments:
If you can't fire a county employee then can a position been eliminated and the people laid off? It must be nice to have a $80,000 and have nothing you are responsible for. Only in government!!!!!!!
statement made by one that needs firing also. Assistant Adminstrator! POsitions have been eliminated and people fired previously.Where in the hell have u been>
Dear Sharon ,
I wish to inform you that you can "just fire a person". Please study the Maryland Law.
Maryland is and has been an "at will employment state".
Simply , you can fire a person for any reason or no reason.
Why are the supervisiors afraid to use this law?
They can 'just fire', it is called employment 'at-will' as defined by Maryland State Law. They have 'just fired' employees and provided no public reason....just ask the previous Internal Auditor....
I think most people employed in MD don't know what "At will Employment" is .
After we have suffered so much BS with civil rights issues , most lawyers will jump on the band-wagon to sue for anything.
where can I get a job like that?
80K and do nothing!
That law does not apply to govenmental jobs. Govenrment jobs follow "termination for a cause" rule.
Who can believe that someone working at the library makes $80K with benefits? I didn't think that even the library director himself would be making that much!
Here is the cause for termination-Job Eliminated
They should go though all of public works employee's. You want to talk about redundant positions and a huge waste of money! It starts at the top with Rick Pollit who does not want to rock the apple cart with a good good old boy network.
I just wanted to clarify that the almost $80,000 ($78,000 to be exact) includes the benefit package. The salary is closer to $60,000.
That is still a lot of money for someone who the Library director admits isn't really needed.
Gosh, I like books, too. I would love to have a $80K job (inc. benefits) for a job that's not even needed. The Public Information Officer has such a job; I could do that, too, as I write fairly well.
Being unemployed / partime contractual, I will take the $60,000 and sit on my behind doing very little to nothing. I will even sacrifice and take $40,000.
If you don't like this, what about Ted Shea getting 90% of his salary when he retires. And he's not the only one, just the most of our money down the drain.
Ted Shea getting 90%!? Please explain.
hey sharon! you have been drinking the county kool-aid for to long! my suggestion to you is keep your trap shut because you are way over compensated for the small dismal tasks that you perform.big hats off to mr harrison/mr albero for keeps us informed.
Why does everyone believe what is put on here? Of course there are postions at every job, private sector or government that are paid to much or could be eliminated. That is normal. Sometimes the amount you are being paid comes from the number of years you are at a job your experience or what others in your position get paid other places. I really do not think anyone at the Library gets paid to do nothing. They already lost part time staff in the last budget cut.
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