WICOMICO COUNTY: DID H. I. SAVE J. F.’s JOB?
It’s a Labor Day question. Will the recent storm result in preserving the “public information officer” position on the County Executive’s staff?
It should, according to Rick Pollitt, who in a recent radio interview called Jim Fineran’s effort during Hurricane Irene “vital” to the public interest, adding that during the turmoil he had “earned his stripes” – apparently by such actions as giving interviews to the TV stations in the Baltimore-DC area to keep us informed that we were having heavy rain, some flooding and power loss and rather high winds.
Mr. Pollitt did not discuss whether Mr. Fineran’s services required any special skills beyond those of a secretary or clerk. But Mr. Pollitt did take the opportunity to express his anger about those who believe that the PIO position is unnecessary and should be reduced or eliminated as a budget expense, calling their position “shameful.”
What do you think?
48 comments:
Certainly, JF must have something on RP or he wouldn't have tolerated his incompetent PIO for the last 4 years. JF has been professionally and personally disliked by those who pay his salary from day one. There is something wrong with this picture. Go figure.
this 'posistion is a waste of the taxpayers dollars in the respect that this county does not have so much going on in the way of county projects such as major road or building projects that the public at large is interested in or has an effect on there daily lives. As for major storms and weather related road closings the local msm informs some people, as for myself if I want the latest in storm damage, road closing or even up to the minute news the first place I go IS Salisbury News.
The county PIO posistion is nothing more than a joke and intended to make someone look and feel more important than they really are (R.P.).
Maybe H.I. will put some writing on the wall and cause the taxpayers to re-think the form of Government we approved. Then in the next election maybe just may we can get rid of both of the cowboys by getting rid of Rick first, that is most likely the only way we get rid of Fineran.
JF is to RP what Joseph Goebbels was to Adolph Hitler.
The Propaganda principles are as active today in Wicomico County as they were in Germany during the early 1940s.
A PIO should be well-informed, articulate and able to think on his/her feet in a manner that inspires confidence. IF we need the position, find someone who can do it. Cronyism is too costly for our county in these tight economic times.
I just cannot get over how our County didn't have anyone opening the Parsonsburg debris station right after the hurricane. And then to have the gaul to decree congratulatory praise for an outstanding performance is just beyond me.
Shameful is what I feel Rick Pollitt is. His temper tantrums don't help him look any better, only like a spoiled child who hasn't gotten his way. I didn't vote for him, so no one can blame me!
Useless waste of taxpayer money!!
I don't know why Rick protects and praises Jim Fineran so much, this job is not needed in Wicomico County, Pay that kind of salary to announce a road is closed or electric is out once or twice a year!! They chose the right man when they promoted Dave Shipley as head of emergency management. Dave could and handle all Jim does and much more, if you want to know all the proper information during and emergency I'm going to depend on Dave Shipley not Jim Fineran!
Shouldn't public information be part of the Executive's job. I can't figure out what Pollitt does all day, since only thing I've seen him do is go to the J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake. Ever since he got in office, his main goal is to spend more money instead of finding ways to conserve. We should cut this liberal loose. Didn't he notice that in the last election, half the voters told him with their votes that they didn't like what he was doing. Dense!
Pollitt become more pathetic every time he goes on that radio show, and Fineran is always on with him -- it's Tweetle-dee & Tweetle-dumb -- but Bill Reddish never challenges them on their ridiculous BS.
Any information that was given by Fineran was obtained by the same tv stations that we watch. He should be fired along with his boss. He is worthless as tits on a boar hog.
Rick Pollit just doesn't want to earn his own salary. So he spends tax payers money to hire others to do it for him. I spoke to my councilperson the other day and they feel the same way. Thats one of the reasons they didn't approve the re-organization of his "cabinet". We don't need another Obama.
Really Joe. Didn't you run some big corporation? How many worked for you and how many secretary s and assistants did you have? Answer that and I will be surprised!
I think Jim is an asset to our county!
We are lucky have Jim and Rick.
To Posting 1:02
In your comment you stated'
'If you want to know all the proper information during an emergency I'm going to depend on Dave Shipley not Jim Fineran'
Well - I partly agree with you - but I would rather depend on the reporting as performed by media mogel SBYnews.
SBYnews is - plain and simple - the real deal. Their reporting is a true reflection of what's happening on all fronts.
ANON 12:30
You just described a section of the County Executive's responsibility.
This is just another example of Ricks incomptency in the County Executives position.
Wicomico County better wake-up real quick. This County is being led to its path of destruction just like Fruitland was led when Rick was there.
We need to be fisical conservative in these times. CUT CUT CUT. CAP CAP CAP. BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE. Not SPEND SPEND SPEND TAX TAX TAX.
We do not need either one of them. What nerve to chastize the people who pay his salary for having and wanting to have a voice in their county government. We have little voice as it is. Somewhere we have to cut expenses and taxes, starting at the top seems a good idea to me.
He is paid from tax dollars. The real question is whether there is value to the public in having a position of county PIA. Thinking about it in these terms, my answer is no. Mr. Finneran is a nice person, but is there value for me as a taxpayer...no.
I also heard Pollitt on Bill Reddish's radio show.
I noticed near the end of his radio interview that Pollitt thought that there were certain medias that were taking advantage of the County's performance after hurricane Irene.
DA - Isn't that what Freedom of Press is suppose to be all about. Finerman is just a propaganda tool used to try and dispell rumors & innuendos. The news media is there to hold accountable for their actions or inactions.
SBYnews was on the front lines in my estimation. And that is where they should have been - reporting it like it is.
Both of these are a couple of jack-offs.they ran the same show in the town of Fruitland.Fat boy Pollitt dam near bankrupt the town of Fruitland,why do you think they got rid of his sorry ass.Now he's doing the same thing to Wicomico County.Us taxpayers need to unite and go to the county council with a petition or referendum to get rid of this Cancer ,Cancer known as Pollitt what a piece of dung.
Actually during the hurricane the EOC chairman who usually is the emergencies services direct did an excellent job. They don't need a J.F.!
If we get a couple more storms this summer, Pollitt will probably make Fineran his new "chief of staff" so he can give him another pay raise.
4:34 LOL You are likely accurate.
This county sorely needs a PIO - but not one weho simply takes up space. There is so much more that the PIO could do to inform the citizens and help publicize and promote the great things about Wicomico County. Sadly our current PIO is not doing so. The county also needs to step into the 21st century and use all of the available resources to inform the pulic - facebook, twitter, youtube, improvements to the county's website, etc.
At least he made an appearance during the hurricane. What about Worcester County's completely incompetent PIO. Where was she? Talk about a waste of taxpayer's money. She's basically just a secretary and personal assistant for the county executive and his sidekick. She couldn't even be bothered to provide updates during the hurricane. Snug at home with her kiddies while everyone else was battlin the store.
It's funny how one person is making 90% of these comments.
To 5:01
I don't believe one person is making 90% of these comments.
Pollitt & Fineran are trying to present a 'mixed picture' of the events - hoping to throw-off the politics of the event.
This whole situation is wearing on me---it's soooo sad. What has happened to our Wicomico County? Can anything please us taxpayers or have we gotten to the point of no return? The question is not should Mr. Fineran be fired, it's should Mr. Pollitt have a PIO? Can the county afford one? And why is Mr. Pollitt always quick to point fingers at the county council when they don't agree with him. Mr. Pollitt we have 7 members on the council and you have just insulted everyone of them with your "shameful" comment on a public radio station. I'm disgusted with your blame game. Be the leader we voted for and stop looking to place blame on those who disagree with you.
To 5:51
I heard Pollitt point the finger near the end of his radio interview to. The County Council is a reflection of the voters. Pollitt lost that title when he won his narrow victory over his republican rival candidate. He barely made it into office.
A public relations position ought not be here in Wicomico County - especially with the economy and all.
I noticed that Bill Reddish did not press Pollitt when he made the snag remark about hurrican Irene becoming a political game. I really wish Bill had followed-up on Pollitt's response.
Pollitt seems to operate in repudiation of the county council - at least by my observation.
You mean without the PIO the citizens wouldn't have know what the weather was doing or go do what had to be done? Get over yourself Ricky!
I noticed in the published letter from Rick that he sure praised Mr. Fineran, very little did he say about the county personnel who were out cleaning up the limbs and trees off the roads, opening the drains, of course that's the usual for Rick, let someone else do the work and him take the praise! Most county employees hardly ever see Mr. Pollitt unless a lunch is involved. When Mr. Pollitt first took office he met with employees and let them know he was there for them! HogWash!! He cares nothing about the lower employees who do the work!! We get more notice from members of the Council!!
4:54
That's what we have the Tourism Department for. The PIO in Wicomico County is the biggest waste of taxpayer dollars we have.
6:30pm You hit the nail on the head. Couldn't have said it any better.
12:41 PM
Get over it already
Give me a break, was he around during Hurrican Isabell in 2003?? I don't think so, and made out fine without all the gov. waste.....
If you wnat to talk about waste, lets talk about the council having a drunk on staff, who sits in his secret room at sobos half the week with the county attorney skeeming to undermine Rick and then drives the county vehicle.We see where your priorities are "hicup".
County job lost, no cola increases and no pay raises for the past six years was used to fund the PIO and the county executive position. Wicomico don't need these two positions. The County Counsel need too step up and really focus on the business of this area. They can do what the executive and PIO can do. But, I guess the good ole' boys system of thing is still at work.
2:15, 2:16 Are you smoking the legalized pot again? Both of these people are total wastes of breath for the county. They aren't even nice people. JF is an ignorant person in a job that is unnecessary and he can't even do the job. Fat Boy is way over his head. He's a little crybaby who throws a temper tantrum when he doesn't get his way, which thank God is more frequent now that the Council knows just how bad the Pollitt politics are for the county. He has lied more than once and played sneaky, snake politics. He should be removed from office. I vote "no confidence" in this idiot, no more qualified to be a clerk, so-called "executive" we have in office. He and his pitiful staff ALL need to go! Rick, YOU are shameful!
another fact of wicomicos executive govt spin is the new county administrator, this woman is no more than a admin asst and she is 2nd in command this is rics biggest mistake having this one oversee a 100+budget. i wonder why the g.o.p council has not questioned ric on this.
So it took five years for the PIO to earn his stripes. That cost the taxpayers about $400.000 dollars.
Rick Pollitt can speak English and could have said exactly what Jim Fineran said. I guess Rick just didn't want to be bothered that day.
It is his job not Jim's. Too many County employees are doing the same jobs or have a few of the same responsibilities. Some are working very hard and trying to keep up, others are talking on the phone and walking the halls.
Get it together.
7:34-
Please ask Gail Bartkovich why the Council is going along with Pollitt on that and so many other things. Maybe elections don't count after all's said & done.
That's only lip service to PIO. What he really wants and will get, is a CHIEF OF STAFF (Choir singing in the background). The CHIEF OF STAFF will help Rick get his goals accomplished. (What's with the other 600 county employees he controls?)He will get his CHIEF OF STAFF, but not in by that title, because the county council saw through it and said "N0!"
So watch who he wants to hire for the director of administration, it will be who he really wants to have travel around with him, instead of run the county, like the director of administration is supposed to do.The smart thing to do would be to add the CHIEF OF STAFF duties, whatever they are, besides drive Miss Daisey and take notes, to the PIO's job and he would have everything he needs and the county council could not stop it.
Of course Pollitt attacks the county council. Just like Jim Ireton attacks the city council.
Wah, wah, wah. That's what we have stupidly elected. Of course, look what we had to choose from.
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