In a 3-2 vote the Salisbury City Council rejected Rick Hoppes to become the next Fire Chief of Salisbury.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
59 comments:
Salisbury has really become a "banana republic."
Hey, Joe:
say it ain't so!
Holy Crap...Never saw that coming.
Never met Hoppes, but Ireton not putting him forward either time before and doing it now makes me go, hmmmm. Anything Ireton does any more is suspect. Wouldn't surprise me if he just used this guy in some way politically.
NO way........
If I were Hoppes I would resign today and begin a new life. Who needs this crap!!!!
I dunno. From all the comments I've read on this blog, I don't think I'm surprised.
Of course they did. The Mayor could nominate Bill Gates for head of the city's IT department and those 3 would vote it down. He could issue a proclamation affirming the sun rose in the east and they'd table it for further study.
Can we do a national search for council?
I think they are wise beyond others knowledge!!
8:32, you made me laugh because how is the SFD any different? Hire from within, SFD is in civil war. Hire from outside, SFD is in civil war.
Hoppes was part of the spend, spend, spend crowd at SFD and the 3 on council we elected by people sick of spend, spend, spend. No idea if that's why they voted as they did, but it's as good a reason as any.
anonymous 8:31, I beg to differ. Look, I happen to like Rick Hoppes. I think it's horrible that a man or woman can work so hard ON THE JOB and even be qualified to be an interium chief and NOT be qualified because he/she doesn't have a bachelors degree.
I get ragged on all the time for not graduating High School, yet those people making a joke out of it never seem to mention the life threatening accident I was in that closed any hope of my finishing school. They also never mention the financial hardship my Mother/Family were in growing up. Anyhow, I built the largest specialty lighting company in the world, without a degree. I was respected by most Fortune 500 companies because I could do things they could not. I retired at 40 years old and was financially successful in the many businesses I have owned over the years, including Salisbury News. I think the degree is complete BS! Rick Hoppes deserves to be the Fire Chief and that's just how I feel about it.
I should add, however, IF Rick didn't "qualify" the last go around, technically the three Council Members are correct with their vote. Imagine IF they had all voted yes. Ireton would be ALL over them for giving in on something they KNEW wouldn't be legal.
I don't know the guy,but it sounds like they made a mistake.Who knows,maybe Rick did'nt really want the headache.
Joe, 8:31 here. I never said anything about a college degree. I didn't know whether he had one or not or if the job calls for it or not.
I was talking about what I've read about this guy on this blog over the years, especially in comments. Heck, look at your own survey question on this about what people would ask this guy if they could interview him.
Just being in a company or a position a long time doesn't guarantee you being top dog.
That's all I was saying.
People are talking about this guy like he's the last puppy at the pound and because he is, somebody should adopt him or let him run the pound.
That's not a reason to put the guy in charge.
8:32, if you check the campaign contributions, I believe that hte city's current IT director (advanced by the Mayor) also contributed to the Mayor's campaign. Go figure!
anonymous 8:49, all I said was I beg to differ. I can't control what the comments say, I just gave my own personal view of things. It's a catch 22 situation. Rick is a nice guy and quite frankly while he was leading, it was pretty darned quiet at the Fire Department. I'm sure there are a LOT of Firefighters that disagree with me on this matter and that's cool. I just think these degrees are a load of crap. While many Firefighters have stated in the past, Rick has never been in a fire. Well, NONE of those Firefighters ever4 LEAD a Fire department. I just feel for the guy, that's all.
For those not in the know, the job description said without fail that the candidate had to have a bachelor's degree, not an AA, not nearly a bachelor's degree, not a year from now have a bachelor's degree, but possess a bachelor's degree when applying.
The council majority did the right thing.
Joe, with all do respect Rick Hoppes isn't qualified. The BS degree is just part of the qualifications. The only reason Rick was put in as Acting Chief the first time is because John Pick told Ireton to make Rick the acting. Rick is not a people person and he is only in it for himself. Go back and read some of the stories you posted on him.
anonymous 9:24, Rick was tied up with See and Gordy at the time. His job was to do what he was told. Anything short of that meant retaliation or termination.
Come on now, do you really believe there's something in it for Rick? Heck, we ALL know Bryan Records won't take the position because its too political. Rick stepped up to the plate in a Fire department many others couldn't handle.
Look, the Council did what they had to do. I just think it's ridiculous that someone has to have certain degrees for something they already proved they could do without one.
I was really agitated with "the three" on the Council who insist on impeding everything the mayor wants; as 8:32 says,they'd "table it for futher study" after talking it to death. (Well, maybe not three. Tim doesn't talk much). But then, when I got down to 9:23, who writes that one requirement for the job is a bachelor's degree, I cooled down a little. It is a little strange, though, that apparently the deputy chief's position doesn't require such; in the case of a chief's leaving, as has just happened, then the deputy cannot become chief. Then the question is begged, Why did Ireton nominate him for the top position? Surely he knows--or should know--the stated qualifications. I suppose an exception could have been made given his longevity with the SFD, but that's a moot point now.
The standard for department heads is the requirement of a bachelors degree. The nationwide standard for Fire Chief is a minimum of a bachelors degree with preference of an advanced degree. Check any classifieds in a professional journal for the position of a fire chief and you will see the requirement of a BS degree.
I heard Larry Dodd will be Chief what a joke
WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A DEPUTY CHIEF?!
The Deputy Chief is next in command after the Fire Chief. In the absence of the Fire Chief the Deputy Chief is in command and possesses all powers and authority of the Fire Chief.
If he's qualified to be Deputy Chief he should be qualified to be Chief - if not he needs to be replaced as well.
I don't know much but I do know if we get one more outsider in here as Chief it will ruin what little bit is left of what was once a great Fire Department.
Are they going to keep Hoppes as Acting Chief?
Will Hoppes Accept being Acting Chief?
Can Hoppes refuse to be Acting Chief without losing his position of Deputy Chief?
Humm ..... just wondering. Time to pull the Chap Stick back out again boys and girls. Looks like there's still opportunity knocking !!!
9:35 asks the real question I think. Why did Ireton send Hoppes up? Why the big announcement, especially if it was likely the "3" would vote him down? Why set Hoppes up for the embarrassment unless Ireton wanted it to be embarrassing for the "3"?
Is it really the "3" that are opposing everything of the mayor's, or is it Ireton opposing everything of the "3"?
Wow, now that I'm thinking about it, Ireton has just been brutal to the "3" ever since they came in. I mean, you don't see Debbie Campbell or Terry Cohen holding press conference after press conference slamming Ireton or all these front page stories where Ireton talks all this smack about them. Look at how Ireton's targeted Spies about his house.
Something's up with this. This isn't just about Hoppes. I got lots of questions but no answers.
whats next fire all fire department people like the council did with wilber. Tell the 120 volunteers that.
whats next fire all fire department people like the council did with wilber. Tell the 120 volunteers that.
February 2, 2012 9:35 PM
All chiefs require the BS position.
I don't know what's going on in this picture, Joe, except one thing:
Ireton is preening for the camera while Hoppes is talking, not listening to the man he nominated for chief.
What does that say?
I would have liked to have seen at least 3 candidates - all from within the SFD. One of the others should have been Bryan Records as he has exhibited leadership skills, communication skills, and has been at the Fire Department for a long long time. He could always decline the appointment - but the Mayor should have submitted at least 3 to fill this position. I believe the council would have confirmed one of the three regardless if they had a BS or not.
10:45 Post
I agree. I don't think the council liked the idea of having a spoon forced fed to them.
Maybe Ireton will submit 3 names.
I would like to see them all be locals and advanced from within instead of bringing in an outsider.
How about choose the correct person for the position. I'm not sure what some one from the inside of the department or from the outside has to do with the position. If you want change or a Chief of your choice stay in the process, and when asked to particiapte in the selection consider it....... no don't consider it be a part of it....
Did Ireton have it in mind to embarrass and harass the council if the majority had voted to put Hoppes forward by "overlooking" the job description requirement of a BS or BA degree?
We haven't heard the last of the mayor's whining about this. I'm sure that he'll have a long and twisted press release in tomorrow's DT.
The DT said there was a vote during a closed session. Isn't what goes on in a closed session supposed to be kept quiet? Who let the DT know what the vote was?
"I believe the council would have confirmed one of the three regardless if they had a BS or not."
February 2, 2012 10:45 PM
Not if they're doing what I'm paying them to do. This council, so far, has followed the rules. Nobody has yet shown us that they haven't, only whined about how they didn't like it when they did. Seems there are people who just think the rules are just for suckers.
Can't wait for Jim-Beau's big media event & statement blasting the 3 musketeers on this bold move to get a better chief than the Hoppster.
Joe:
Most folks who know him say that Wilber is a "nice guy" abd he had a college degree or two. What's the difference?
Term limits -- ASAP!
People ,we have officials that run the city and the county that do not have a BS degree.
What makes you think this position requires a degree.
I ran a company with 100+ employees
We did $53,000,000 a year.
I had no degree.
If you didn't graduate high school because of an accident, why didn't you go back and get a GED?
As someone once said: Burn Baby, Burn
He wants the job, a degree is required, he knows this fact. Is he doing any work to obtain a degree?
Some of you say that to bring an outsider in would be the ruination of the SFD. Barbara Duncan, SPD chief, was brought in from New York State. I have not heard or read one negative comment about her. Apparently, she has been able to "win over" those under her command by doing her job well and by being able to work with the Department. Her gender seems not to be an issue either.
After thinking long and hard on this situation I have decided to give my two cents worth on the matter. I am flattered to have my name mentioned for the position of Fire Chief. The people who really know me understand that I have no desire to hold that position. I'm an operations guy who enjoys what I do and being close to the troops.
Let me clearly state that Rick Hoppes has been in and commanded many fires over the years as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Asst. Chief and Deputy Chief in Salisbury. I have been on the end of a hoseline with him and he has proven himself many times. Rick has come through the ranks and prepared himself both personally and professionally to perform at every rank he has held. As the Acting Chief for 18 months he ran the department faithfully until a replacement was found for Chief Dave See. Did he make mistakes ? Yes. But dont we all? He knows the mistakes he made and has become a better person and leader going forward. When Chief Simpson resigned Rick once again stepped forward and accepted the awesome responsibility of Salisbury's Chief. Mayor Ireton displayed his full faith in Rick and made Him his choice for the position of Fire Chief.
I must admit I am shocked at the decision not to promote Rick as the next Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department. I was fully prepared and looking forward to moving forward with Rick as the next chief as were many of my peers.The man had the support of the members and at least eight local fire departments and organizations. That speaks volumes about a mans character when you have that much support. Rick has served this department since 1985 with dedication and professionalism at every level. That could not be said for some of his critics.
I have always believed and openly stated that college degrees do not put out fires or give you leadership abilities. They merely enhance the knowledge base of the individual on a particular subject matter. In our business it is all about respect that is earned over time by doing a good job. You cant buy it, fake it or self proclaim it. Rick has earned my respect and I would go to war with in on any emergency.
I believe Rick is just shy of his BS degree and could easily finish it within a year. If that is the sticking point in this matter then make it a term of employment for the Chief position. I have complete faith that he will complete his degree. Rick Hoppes is a man of his word and would do whatever it took to make the Salisbury Fire Department a premier organization. It is my desire that our City leaders will reconsider their decision and make the right choice in this matter.
Joe, really have to agree with you on this one. Having a BS degree when you've been doing the job all along is nothing but BS.
Ireton did not want Hoppes, the firemen did. Ireton knew Hoppes did not have all the qualifications for the job and would be rejected. But it made him look good to the fireman that he was with them. Great move on his part. Give him an A+ for this one.
9:59
That is nothing but political posturing and isn't helping the city move forward, but only wasting more time to get something done. Ireton gets an E- from my view point.
9:59, As Judge Judy would say, "Don't tell me what someone knew." How is it that you know what was in Ireton's mind when he nominated Mr. Hoppes for the chief's position? Not everyone, and certainly not Ireton, has an ulterior motive for every decision that he makes.
Bryan you really should reconsider. The Department knows your work ethic and respect you. The department needs you. You are no longer competing with Hoppes. He is out of the picture...and if he is any kind of man and friend, he will be behind you.
OK, the council has spoken -- so lets open this process and get some candidates to lead our fire department.
Anonymous said...
Ireton did not want Hoppes, the firemen did. Ireton knew Hoppes did not have all the qualifications for the job and would be rejected. But it made him look good to the fireman that he was with them. Great move on his part. Give him an A+ for this one.
February 3, 2012 9:59 AM
Sorry, that is a false statement. When Hoppes was in the running last year the entire department voted against him.
I wanted to comment on the idiotic vote to reject Rick Hoppes as the next chief of the salisbury fire department. I cannot comprehend how council persons Campbell, Spies and Cohen could deny someone of Rick's caliber and integrity, when he has been acting chief twice now, and has obviously done a better job of running the fire department than these three have done in doing the city's business. Oh, excuse their own little town that they control like a dictatorship, denying anyone who doesn't agree with their agendas. Rick Hoppes has given over 25 years in the fire department, doing his utmost best to protect the citizens of Salisbury. In turn these three basically spit in his face,saying he isn't qualified to run this department because he doesn't have a BS degree! Do these three have advanced degrees in business that actually qualify them to run this city? If they don't then they should be kicked out of office as soon as possible, so that someone who does can take over and run this city as it should be run, with the concerns of the citizens of this city put first. It is the same situation here; if they think that Rick can't run run this department because he doesn't have said degree. The mayor put Rick up to be the next chief because he obviously felt that he was the best qualified candidate for the position. I don't understand how these three think that someone from outside this area would be better suited instead of someone who has lived here his entire life, and knows the people who work for him much better than someone who possibly could come into this department and possibly disrupt an already well run department in my opinion. These three seem to make up their own rules as they go along, instead of following the city charter as they should. Instead they make amendments that seem to help them, not the citizens of this city that I love and have lived my entire life.
Anonymous
February 3, 2012 9:54 PM
You are correct in saying Rick Hoppes had 25 years in the Department. He also had 25 or more years to work on a BS degree. During the last search the job requirement stated you needed a BS degree at that time and he didn't have it. A person was brought in that had a BS degree. If Rick was smart he would have taken the year and a half to obtain the degree and he has failed to do so. ALL of the people that have worked with Hoppes for the past 25 years know he is lazy and the fact he didn't complete his degree proves it.
You ask if the "3" council persons have advanced degrees? That is a moot point. The council position doesn't require advanced degrees, but the position of department head does.
The mayor put Rick Hoppes up for nomination not because he thinks Rick is the man for the job, but because he knew Rick wasn't qualified for the job and the Council more than likely would not accept the nomination. It is within their right to do so. Think about what has been going on for the last year or so in city politics. Jim Ireton has been playing games and starting fights with the "3" council members. If you can't see that you are blind. Jim and the "3" council members were friends and Ireton dumped them for his power trip. The problem isn't the "3" council members it is Jim Ireton who has turned into a media whore and he will use people to get attention. Look at all the silly press releases and attacks on the "3" council members. Look how Jim used people to get elected. Look how Jim used the "3" council members to get elected. Jim Ireton was elected mayor by riding Debbie Campbell's coat tail. Unfortunately Jim Ireton used Rick Hoppes to start a fight with the "3" Council members. It's unfortunate, but the "3" council members made the right decision.
Jim Ireton, do the right thing and please be the Mayor the citizens elected you to be.
Bryan Records has hit this nail on the head.He should be on the council as he has sence. I can't believe the council rejecting Richard Hoppes as fire chief. Especially with all the letters of support from the state fire marshal s office and all the surrounding fire depts. as well as the entire career and volunteer sides of the Salisbury Fire Dept. What does Campbell, Coen & Spies have against this man. Surely they are not representing the community just some personal vendetta of their own. Has the council not learned a lesson by bringing a come here to be chief, the last 2 were ran out of the dept. and the next one will be also. You 3 need to look at your own lives and realize this man came in as a probie and worked his way to chief and you block him. wow that is the American dream pissed on. You all should hang your head in shame, I hope the same thing happens to you or a loved one, someone squashing all their hard work. YOU all need to be replaced as you are NOT voting in the best way for this city.
I will say this one final time. There's no question in my mind that Ireton and his cronies are coming on here SUGGESTING this is the three Council Members fault, IT IS NOT.
Open your minds people. Unfortunately at this very momt Rick Hoppes does not have the degree to QUALIFY for this position. The legislation/law states he MUST have it. IF the Council was stupid, (like Laura and Shanie) they would vote for him and BREAK THE LAW and place YOU the taxpayer in about 45 law suits and the taxpayers would lose them all. The other applicants would have a field day with those law suits.
The Council majority had no choice. Don't act like they don't like Rick Hoppes. I know all three Council Members personally and they truly respect Rick.
Mayor Jim Ireton attempted to break the law by suggesting Rick take the position with his full support. WHAT AN IDIOT! If Jim Ireton knew ANYTHING about running a business or the law he would know better than to do what he did. However, it's all a game to him, how can I make the three Council Members look bad. It's all about division, it's the democrat way of diving all of us and I for one will not stand for it.
Keep your pants on because I think you'll see a satisfactory resolution to this entire thing, THE LEGAL WAY.
Look at last the last chief they hired, Simpson had a masters degree in public admin. but he NEVER ever fought a fire, so how do you lead firefighters in life hazard situations when you never have even been in the situation yourself. What a joke he was, and talk about spend happy, he cost this city thousands just to carry out personal vendettas against some people in the dept. This council sucks, what a joke they are like Simpson was.
Joe, great comment about the council being responsible and avoiding the legal landmines. Finally an example of factual information.
Unfortunately comments like 11:59 AM are fictional and factless and most likely from a peson that was held accountable for their actions at the SFD and didn't like it. Say what you want but Chief Simpson raised the level of our commitment thru responsibility. We miss him already.
His academic success provided one thing for sure, he was able to see thru the mayor's nonsense early on but maintained his professionalism, proficiency and pride to the end. Enough said!
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