Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Letter To The Editor 2-26-13

WHO INCITED POTENTIAL VIOLATION OF LAW AT THE SALISBURY CITY COUNCIL MEETING?

At last night’s meeting an obviously organized group demanded that the City Council members explain why they have not approved Mr. Ireton’s request to make Rick Hoppes the permanent Fire Chief. As Terry Cohen calmly pointed out under Maryland law they cannot address that matter at a public meeting without his consent. I have my suspicion about who incited the group to attend and pose their question – what’s your guess about the man behind the curtain.
And, speaking of explaining, Mr. Hoppes may have some to do. 

Many among that group at the meeting were Salisbury fire personnel who used fire equipment to get there. In my days in the armed forces, such misuse of equipment and absence from one’s post would be court-martial offences unless authorized by the C.O. And if such conduct was authorized by Mr. Hoppes or done with his knowledge, then he might be subject to disciplinary action initiated by his superior – in this case, Mr. Ireton.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is also along the lines of the fire department using their vehicles to go to lunch at Red Door, Pannera, etc. Why use fire department vehicles while the taxpayer has to foot the bill for the gas??? Why can't they use their personal vehicles for lunch like most working people???? Or car pool?? I watched while they tried to hide the firetruck, then the firechief met up with them for lunch. What happens if a call comes in? They still have to return to the fire house for their equipment. The use of company vehicles (cars, trucks,etc.) is a waste that we can't afford and should be stopped. If the chief is so great a leader, why doesn't he stop this?? Answer, he isn't a leader, he is a puppet and look at all the people who spoke up for him. He gives them their way and they love it. Maybe his hiring abilities are not so ethical and maybe that is why he hasn't been put in the job.

Anonymous said...

Whoever wrote this was thinking the same thing when I saw all those uniforms on PAC14. I also served my country.

What about Jake Day, too? Using HIS uniform for a campaign photo?

Salisbury has become just about the most unprofessional place I've ever seen. Although I do have to give kudos to Mrs. Cohen for her very calm statements at the end of the meeting. Ten times the leader Ireton is.

Anonymous said...

fire department using their vehicles to go to lunch at Red Door, Pannera, etc.

Really how about Department public works going to lunch in theirs or City PD going through drive through.

WHY DONT we shut down FD for two weeks, then hear you idiots change your freakin mind.

Man what a bunch of dumba$$es

Anonymous said...

Sure, I can see Ireton dishing out a good Rehoboth flogging to Mr. Hoppes.

Anonymous said...

Don't you realize there are budget problems nationwide 11:16? Just because a city may have some extra cash on hand at this point in time does not mean that everyone should do their part to conserve resources.
If you are on your way back from a call then by all means stop and pick up lunch or whatever but there is no excuse for taking a FD vehicle out on errands. If it food then take orders and have someone go in their personal vehicle to pick it up. If a call comes in they can meet at the scene.
And stop with the shutting down baloney because the fact is you are replacable. It's time you all learned that and more importantly remember it. There is a butt for every seat your included.
So start doing your part to conserve funds.

Anonymous said...

No the "dumba$$es" are ones like you who think 2 wrongs make a right. Public works is just as wrong if in fact they are using tax payers money to run their errands.

Anonymous said...

Sign the waiver Mr Hoppes. His supporters took their own time to attend last night's meeting when he knew full well the council has restrictions on what they can discuss concerning personal matters. He used them as pawns. If his supporters really and truly want answers then they need to demand that he signs the waiver. If they don't demand then we all know last night was just a show.
So all you Mr Hoppes supporters put your money where your mouth is otherwise go away.

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile the Federal Dumba$$ Obomation is screwing us all.

I believe Russia was bankrupt into submission, now its our turn.

Anonymous said...

so they built a palace with a kitchen and they dont use it

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
fire department using their vehicles to go to lunch at Red Door, Pannera, etc.

Really how about Department public works going to lunch in theirs or City PD going through drive through.

WHY DONT we shut down FD for two weeks, then hear you idiots change your freakin mind.

Man what a bunch of dumba$$es

February 26, 2013 at 11:16 AM

This is obviously from a farmin and more than likely a paid farmin.

So let me explain this on to you. Public Works employees work all over the city and that is why they have to drive vehicles all over the city. They fill pot holes and paint fire hydrants and repair water mains all over the city. The police officers are paid to PATROL the city so they are driving all over the city. Paid fireman are paid to be stationed at strategically(supposedly) placed stations just in case a call comes in. If there is a fire with children trapped in a 2 story residence while you and your other paid firemen are sitting at Panera Bread eating your discounted lunch during rush hour guess what happens to those poor trapped children. In case you don't know the answer they will die. Paid fireman should bring their lunch and dinner to work with them like the majority of hard working citizens in Salisbury do. If you don't like the truth I am sure you will get over it if it ever sinks in.

As for you calling us a bunch of dumba$$es it shows your intelligence and I don't want you or your kind stepping foot in my house. You people give the fire service a bad name.

The city needs to get rid of Hoppes if he doesn't have enough intelligence to weed out scum like 11:16 am. Most leaders have the knack to read through people like that, but it is obvious Hoppes comes from the same mold.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
so they built a palace with a kitchen and they dont use it

February 26, 2013 at 12:41 PM

YUP!!

Except for the times you see them hide their fire trucks behind Giant Foods and buy their steak dinners to cook.

FF said...

Overkill Fire House and i am a FF.

Anonymous said...

If they used the commercial kitchen at the farhouse, they would have to rinse off the dishes and load them into the dishwasher!

Anonymous said...

I know some of those so called Hoppes supporters I saw on PAC 14. The one that spoke and was quoted on Ch. 47 has been suspended numerous times and wrecked several fire trucks when he wasn't even supposed to be driving them. Another one I saw used to work for another city department, but was fired over some serious issues. Several others rarely come around to take calls. The volunteers from Pittsville, Parsonsburg and other departments had no business being there. Well Mr. Hoppes I don't think I would have asked some of those individuals to support me if I was in your shoes.

Anonymous said...

There is NO doubt in my mind that Hoppes and Ireton planned this event.

Anonymous said...

1:14, that's a comment worthy of a post.

3:12, no doubt here either. And what the hell is it with the other departments always pi$$ing on the police department's parade? They got thanked because they figure out ways to do things that serve better and cost less. But there was the "far dept." up there whining they don't get thanked. Idiots, you weren't even on the night's business.

Anonymous said...

The Ireton and Hoppes show backfired, now they have opened the can-O-worms where they definately didn't want to go.

Let's have that transparent government you spew about Jim.

Anonymous said...

pay me to be the cook in the palace.I work cheap 30,000 year.

Anonymous said...

Let's say there is an event requiring public works or police on the corner of Naylor and Church. The situation is under control and after several hours on the scene the person in charge tells an officer or worker to go get lunch, do you want them to:

A) go get Ponzetti's in the city vehicle
B) drive to the police station or public works department in the city vehicle, drop it off, drive back to Ponzetti's, drive the food to the scene, finish eating, leave the work area again to go drop their personal vehicle off, then return to the scene?

You should realize that B costs the city more money in terms of gas and time than A. Example A is penny smart, but pound foolish.

Anonymous said...

5:08 when they are returning from a call by all means stop and get lunch. If they are sitting around the station then take orders, call it in and one person can use their own vehicle to go and get it and bring it back to the station.

Anonymous said...

I totally agree 5:24. My only point is that there are times when picking up lunch in a city vehicle is prudent. There are also times and people who abuse the privilege and those individuals need to be formally reprimanded.

Anonymous said...

There are enough places that deliver all kinds of food, stop making excuses. If they have to go out on a call there is always somebody there to accept the delivery! DUH!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Let's say there is an event requiring public works or police on the corner of Naylor and Church. The situation is under control and after several hours on the scene the person in charge tells an officer or worker to go get lunch, do you want them to:

A) go get Ponzetti's in the city vehicle
B) drive to the police station or public works department in the city vehicle, drop it off, drive back to Ponzetti's, drive the food to the scene, finish eating, leave the work area again to go drop their personal vehicle off, then return to the scene?

You should realize that B costs the city more money in terms of gas and time than A. Example A is penny smart, but pound foolish.

February 26, 2013 at 5:08 PM

This is a dumb explanation. Why don't they just bring their lunch with them like most blue collar workers.