A Letter To The Editor:County Goverment In Disaray

Mr Albero Having been an avid watcher of our local goverments for the past twenty years or so I must say this week has been most interesting. 

The recent audit of the BOE and the recall to vote on the raises again by the County Council has prompted me to respond with this post. 

First lets step back to the last budget that was passed by the Wicomico County Council, Mr Pollitts office presented a budget that was by all accounts over the top as far as spending goes, this budget also increased property taxes. Four council members voted for the budget Matt Holloway, John Hall. Stevie Prettyman and Sherre Sample- Hughes, three council members voted against the budget Bob Culver, Joe Holloway and Gail Barkovitch. 

Warnings were given in public hearings and expressed by some council members about the increased spending and the increase in taxes due to the poor economy. The best argument against the budget was given by John Hall who then voted for the budget. 

Four weeks ago Mr. Pollitts office reveiled that the county was going to be 3.7 million short which prompted a transfer from the roads dept. As the county roads are already falling apart this money will now be used in the general fund. At the same meeting the council rejected moving forward with giving raises to Mr. Pollitt, Mike Lewis and the county council. That vote was one of the smartest moves the council had taken in a long time. However now one has to question the leadership of the council or better yet question who is really in charge. 

Will Pollitt's office step up and claim times are looking up again so the raises will move forward ? What debt is owed to those recieving these increases by the council members that are bringing forward the vote again? 

The judges of orphans court increases are also being reconsidered however no one has ever mentioned that one of the judge's is Pollitt's first cousin. All of these are elected positions and there are canadates running for these seats. 

The BOE is another story, every year the County Council has increased funding over MOE for the school system dispite warnings from citizens and some council members that spending was out of control. The audit reveiled gross over spending and mismanagement, threats have been made to discontinue programs if increased funding was not provided yet the abuse goes on. So now that the BOE has been exposed, what will be the action of the county council will they have the backbone to stand up to the mighty BOE and Pollitt or continue to hand out the taxpayers dollars with no questions asked. 

You have to admire the council members that have the fortitude to ask the tough questions and say no .