It would have been nice - considering it is an election year - to have offered the taxpayers a rebate for the undue hardships suffered from a run-a-way State government combined with an ever increasing Local budget - now closing in on the pre-recession level of $130 million dollars. In our opinion - Wicomico residents have been STRUCK - yet again.
73 comments:
goodby tricky ricky! better round up those welfare voters cause you're gonna need em!
He'll just blame it on O'Malley passing pensions down to us. Not that O'Malley doesn't deserve blame. He balanced his budget (if you call it that) on the backs of the local governments.
Pollitt's campaign motto is
"Tax To The Max!"
and he's doing it -- and screwing us --- once again.
The shocking part, besides the big tax increase you mention, is that Pollitt wants to raid the County's fund balance by almost 7 Million Dollars to balance his proposed budget.
Isn't there a cap on tax increases?
9:34 --
The proposed Worcester County budget that was announced a couple weeks ago also uses their reserve fund to balance the spending, but the County Commissioners there have already stated opposition to depleting it.
If the Wiocmico Council approves Pollitt's plan none of them should be reelected this fall.
When does the bleeding stop? Unfortunately in Maryland, the people continue to vote these idiots into office... Bye, Bye...
A county by county comparison of the identical issues would put Wicomico Co into perspective.
You are quick to blame Pollitt. Did the Council vote to raise these taxes or did Pollitt raise them single handed?
Cut everybody elses programs but leave mine alone is the norm. What would you cut to lower taxes?. How many items cannot be cut because of government mandates? I guarantee if the people who complain the most was the Administrator or a Council member you would find to much government rules, regs, mandates and red tape to make much of a change. How would you make change? Stop complaining, get off your butts, attend meetings, talk to the officials, find out what is going on. Who of you have done more than complain on Salisbury News? To make change, you need to change your old habits of complaining and get involved.
Mr./Ms. 9:41:
Yes, there is a cap on taxes, and Pollitt wants to tax to the max, but still needs more money for his spending, so he is raiding the County's fund surplus (again) to proposed a budget that is balanced.
9:41 - not a tax cap - a revenue cap...which MaxTax is working with the state socialists to bypass.
We really need to send these people to the unemployment lines.....
Every dime of that increase should go to pay off the 10 million they owe the city.
The "Tax payer's well" is dry. Deal with it!
This is no big deal. If you want this county to stay in some sort of shape you have to spend. I want a quailty county to live in. I own propetues in this county. I live here and raised my children here. We need to get this county back in shape roads suck. The schools have needs. The Sheriff has needs as well as the jail. I will spend a few more dollars to live in a quality place. Mr Pollitt do what you have to sir. I support you and the council. Anyone that thinks they can do better shut and put up. Elections every four years.
10:07 - I, for one, have attended meetings, but it does no good. When Pollitt comes in there and says this is it - then this is it. And like it or not, that's the way it end up being. What else can you suggest????
10:22 - Quality Place? Since when is Salisbury/Wicomico County a quality place to live? And, you don't need to tell Pollitt to do what he has to, he will do it anyway, like it or not.
Vote everyone of these idiots out... If I see any of these people they will be assaulted.
Nothing will change because local people will always vote for democrats.
10:22 people like you are just what is wrong with this county ,State, and Country.Raising taxes, and out of control spending is not leading this county in the right direction. It's called balancing a budget, lowering taxes. Look at how Texas is doing. No wonder nobody wants to move to the State of Maryland and people are moving away. When you have a bunch of liberals idiots running things you end up with cities then end up like Detroit. Democrats think that we have a credit card with an unlimited spending limit. When they run out of funds that naturally raise taxes. Tax and spend liberals. I really feel sorry for the folks that live in wicomico county hard working taxpayers being bleed dry by the liberal democrats that don't give a damn about the taxpayer.
What if everyone unites to withhold property taxes?
Just look a few miles to the north - Sussex Co., I believe they issued a rebate for last years taxes. But not here in Wicomico.
10:22 "Propetues"? Seriously, you own properties here, yet can't spell? And, you agree with ANOTHER increase, when they're spending money on things THAT WE DON"T NEED, while IGNORING WHAT WE DO NEED. You, genius, should cover all the taxes, or gtfo.
I have to wonder last night a lady at the meeting had four childern in the county school system and three more at home were does she work and how much welfare does she get.
10:39 - That's great, thanks for making a threat over the internet.
BRB, getting in touch with the parties that be to be able to obtain this guy's IP address/location/identity.
Property owners need to unite and Pickett the county office building and voice our strong opposition to any new tax increase. I have no problem paying my fair share of taxes as long as I know how my money is spent, but the county won't allow this, especially the BOE. It should be put up to a vote with only the property owners who are affected. If taxes are to be raised, it should be shared equally between all residents of Wicomico county and not just the property owners. Also if they raise the property taxes again, they should repeal the county landfill fee that is run by county employees and paid by county tax payers.
FYI, Wicomico's property taxes are still incredibly low, particularly when compared to the rest of the state. There are only a couple counties that have lower taxes and all of them make up for lower property taxes with OTHER taxes that Wicomico County doesn't have (yet).
Might want to check your facts on this statement. Wicomico is in the top 3 jurisdictions of heavy taxation in Maryland. dont forget our maxed out piggyback tax that conway forced pollitt to do so we could get relief from m.o.e funding. Conway could've helped with relief without the increase but I think he likes sticking it to us, and well, it shows everywhere you travel in Wicomico. Pollitt is to blame for alot of this mess - but not all of it.
10:07 & 10:22, Don't be silly. There is always something to cut. It could start with having county workers take one less paid day off. I find it very disturbing that atleast one of you has children and finds not a thing wrong. Are you aware the county's biggest revenue source is property taxes? Are you also aware that those taxes are based on assessments which have fallen due to home prices falling?
If you cared one bit about your own child's future you would be concerned. Where is the money going to come from to keep going for the really important things if costs are minimized now? Don't you all watch the news, read newspapers? Governments nationwide are going broke. Detroit being the most publicized. Spending wasn't taken under control and now essential services such as law enforcement is being cut. What do you think, people are making this all up?
Now by all means you 2, be sure and write a check to the county so they can keep on spending it. When and until you put into practice what you preach are you even relevant anyway. So get out those checkbooks and start writing. There is no law against paying more in taxes if you choose.
The rest of us would prefer some responsibility in spending.
Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax Tax
Joe, how many citizens showed up?
12:43 you will go to great lengths to protect this liberals. Just because you don't give a damn about higher taxes doesn't mean that other people like it. Liberals and Democrats are all brain dead that is why this county is in the shape it is in. Here is a thought since you enjoy paying higher taxes why don't you open your checkbook and pay the taxes for everyone.
"Anonymous said...
Just look a few miles to the north - Sussex Co., I believe they issued a rebate for last years taxes. But not here in Wicomico.
April 11, 2014 at 11:56 AM"
You are correct. Councilman Philips of Sussex released a press release when he filed for reelection yesterday. Here is a portion of it-
" "Our situation was much like governments all over the State and Country. We had a choice. We could raise taxes or we could do the difficult job of looking at every penny being spent and try to find ways to save money without cutting critical services or laying off employees. We chose to do the hard work of cutting spending," Phillips said. He also credits the new council and a tremendous staff, led by the former county administrator Dave Baker. "I may have pointed the way, but others should be given a great deal of credit."
As a result, the county soon balanced it's budget by trimming its workforce by over ten percent through attrition and cross-training of employees. The administration shifted those working in recession effected development offices to those offices which may have had an uptick such as the Sheriff office which was busy with foreclosures. Additionally, Phillips and the council asked all departments to cut waste and set a first year goal of 8% reductions in discretionary spending for grant-in-aid programs.
"The tough decisions we made a few years ago has led to our abundance of wealth today. We now enjoy consistent surpluses, significant merit raises for good employees, increased funding for libraries and fire companies and all the while we never had to cut critical services to the citizens of Sussex County," Phillips said.
He also noted that council never raised taxes and even approved a rebate to taxpayers once the crisis had passed. "I have never forgotten that the People of Sussex County own this government and when we began to realize surpluses again, I felt strongly that we should return some of that money back to the people."
Phillips has been credited with leading the council through the economic crisis of 2008 when the three majority-leading democrats decided to retire. The ensuing election ushered in a new Republican majority with Phillips being elected President by his Republican peers. Following an audit ordered by Phillips, the new council was given the unwelcome news that they were facing an $8 million dollar deficit in the current fiscal year.
"Here is a thought since you enjoy paying higher taxes why don't you open your checkbook and pay the taxes for everyone"
This is what I keep on saying 1:14! These type of people are all that is wrong in this country---gotta lot of mouth but no action! The worst thing is these people multiply and spawn more sponges who have the spend not save attitude.
For me personally, I own a home in Delaware. I also own multiple properties in Maryland. I, (as many of you know) sold my Downtown property and I am at least out of the City/County tax situation.
I will sell all of my other Wicomico County properties and I will get out of supporting what I had hoped years ago to be an up and coming area.
I talk to people every single day and they are running like bats out of hell to get out of Wicomico County and I'm not kidding. Some are taking incredible losses to get out, (including myself) but there comes a time when you have to know when to fold your hand.
When you get right down to it, THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR WICOMICO COUNTY. You cannot have leaders ignoring economic development and that is exactly what Rick Pollitt and Wayne Strausburg have done. Don't think for a second I'd forget Jim Ireton.
You mark my words Ladies & Gentlemen, it will be 30 years before the Shore even has a chance at a come back. This area will be the most dependent are in the entire state of Maryland. Dependent on Government, that is.
GET OUT NOW WHILE THE GETTING IS GOOD. Our Family is making incredible changes, all of which you'll hear about in the future. We will sell off what we have and you'll be blown away at what we have chosen to do.
How can anyone be so foolish as to want to pay higher taxes??? If the county administrators would manage our tax money as carefully as we have to manage our budget money, I wouldn't mind paying a fair tax. Don't they realize these already high, really outrageous taxes, are what is strangling our economy. Cut spending on palacial schools, fire stations, fire boats, reduce waste, and cut administrative staffs. Then I will be like the person who said they wouldn't mind paying more. Manage what I pay well and I will pay more. When I moved here in 1973 it was a great place to live, not any longer. I can't get out, too old and will never even come close to breaking even on this house.
This is the Democratic Creed. They don't know how to stimulate an economy. If they did - Wicomico wouldn't be experiencing record number of business closures. But no - Pollitt and the Administration keeps sticking it to the working class - and then campaigns under a moto - of helping the needy. The only needy is himself and his cronies.
Pollitt keeps raising taxes and more and more businesses leave. Doesn't he know that our residents aren't made of money. You cannot tax your way into prosperity. Would someone go up to his office and explain that to him.
10:39 -- Please reconsider your vote them all out mantra. Joe Holloway and Bob Culver have been steadfast against Pollitt's tax and spend style of government. We need to reelect Joe and elect Bob as County Exec.
Thank goodness Prettyman and Sample-Hughes will be gone, and hopefully Matt Holloway, too.
Sorry folks the sky is not falling here. I do not totally agree with some of these post. There is a need to coninue forward. Pollitt has put his name on the line and will live or die with the decisions he makes. Takes balls to run a county with so many financial wizards at your door lol. You all sit out there blogging away. Politt's job pays pretty well why not run. Step up live in the fish bowl a while. Exactly there is a word that come to mind to me Pus****. Thats right I said it.
To you mental midgets there is a revenue cap not a tax cap. Get rid of the revenue cap and this county would be in much better shape. I to was at the budget presentation last night. You can not squeeze blood from a turnip. They are doing the best they can. Some are never happy and yes Wicomico County is a a quality place to live 11:40. If you dont like it get the hell out. I am a life long republican and proud of it. However I see the council and exec. have a true dilema no mattter how they resolve this budget. So if you want to move please do I cant stand a cry baby.
Yes, he knows the residents aren't made out of money 2:00 but he doesn't care. He has the live for today attitude and to hell with the next generations who will be left with nothing but a mess on their hands.
Wicomico is like so many others in the country.
Take it to the top , Obama has made the cost of living unbearable , taxes , taxes ,taxes.
2:07, already left pal. I don't know what defines quality in your opinion, but as I've enjoyed living in a city that is internationally ranked within the top 10 by multiple criterion, I'll tell you the bury and Wicomical county can't compare.
My what low standards you have 2:07. Your parents raised a first class fool. Anyone who thinks "Wicomico County is a quality place to live" must not leave the county much.
Where do we start?
Is it the higher than average unemployment rate that makes Wicomico a "quality place to live?" Or the higher than average foreclosure rate? Is it the higher than average poverty rate? Or perhaps the bottom of the barrel per capita income of the residents?
Oh I know what it is! It's the 40+ percent of county students eligible for the free lunch program offered by the public schools!
To 2:07 - Have you been Drinking 'Kool Aid' again. You must have your head in the sand. You are no Republican, if anything you are a part of the problem. Have you checked your tax bills or last years tax bill, how about the year before. Now be man enough and identify yourself, or leave. You won't find any solace on this blog.
Executive form of government was a bad idea....just created more bloat at the top - now the once contractual county attorney needs ANOTHER assistant...so that will be 3 paid attorneys. Do you call that progress?? Huge mistake to create an executive office.
2:07 --
Someone has already stepped up to run for County Exec.
Let's elect Bob Culver!
I like some of the county's leading industries: healthcare, healthcare education, and pill factories
As a lifelong eastern shore resident and a 30 plus year Wicomico Count resident I found it bittersweet to go to my just purchased lot in Delmar, De today to mow the grass for the first time.
Wicomico has become a tax and spend County like the state of MD. Cutting the budget I not something that they seem capable of doing. It probably started years ago when they decided to make the Sheriffs Dept. a full fledged police agency. I was not needed at the time and today we are paying dearly for that decision. The Maryland State Police had been the county police agency for the county until the expansion of the Sheriffs Dept. Their manpower allotment was based on calls for service and as crime increased their manpower allotment was increased but someone convinced the powers to be that we needed a county police agency. I am not bashing the Sheriffs Dept in any way, but look at its annual budget today and it is apparent it is a luxury we cannot afford.
I wish someone would run for sheriff on the platform of returning it back to what it origanally was deigned for, court security and serving papers/
2:07 I would agree with you, however, time after time, report after report, and fact after fact, shows they are running a clown show in WC. They are spending money, in the budget, that should be cut out during times such as these. No business, that wants to be successful, spends more during down years. You trim away a little fat, stay lean, and when recovery hits, you ramp up again. They are doing the OPPOSITE.
No cuts?proposed i was working last night
It depends on which side of the fence you are on. 4.73% increase sounds huge but how many of you would run to a big box store offering a 5% price cut?
Before you comment to bash me, I am not in favor of the increase and want the county to get back to being fiscally responsible. A 4.73% increase is minimal compared the the increases in everything else except for wages. All the people with school age children want them to go to a school with all the modern comforts. That costs money. I went to Hebron elementary went it was the old building…we didn't have A/C, we played outside and we survived. It is all the come heres that want to live in the country but no one told them that chicken houses smell, manure is spread on the fields and us rednecks shoot guns, drink beer and grow/smoke weed that have problem with eastern shore.
The best part of this is that everyone complains on this blog but no one takes any action. You get what your deserve. Mark my words, Joe has given you a clue/hint. I bet he sells his property/the blog and gets the hell out of dodge. My guess would be to a state with no personal income tax. If he does, more power to him as I did a similar thing and don't regret it. Love to visit the slower lower but enjoying prosperity elsewhere.
2:07 must be Wayne, he's going to miss that county vehicle and top salary that he's slopping up the gravy with. Rick, Wayne and Matt Creamer all need steel toed boots thrown at them, forget just plain old shoes! Time for you hogs to wean yourselves from the slop, your days are over.
2:07 calls others mental midgets while he/she can't determine to use, two, to or too! Open mouth insert foot you POS
2:07 says-"Politt's job pays pretty well why not run."
I personally do not feel the salary of any elected official "pays pretty well."
And I think that's the problem. Governing is akin to running a company and you are not going to get the brightest nor the best on a measly pittance. It's not going to happen.
No way am I saying a pay increase is the answer though. What needs to go are these elected positions that end up being a career for someone.
I don't like to promote violence, but when all else fails, do what we got to do! If they won't listen they better hide very well.
Not everyone can ride the taxpayer gravy train but we all pay for it.
Thanks 6:25, let's find out what your real identity is too along with the gentleman above with the threats..
5:34. Most come heres,came here to shoot guns, smell manure,drink beer,
( dont know about the weed thing )and not have to smell the stench of liberals. Little did they know there were plenty of liberal politicians and voters who were born here that it didnt matter.
to the comment at 2:52
The percentage of students receiving free or reduced breakfast and lunch is over 60%. That means that over 60% of our families are living in poverty. You can only work at so many minimum paying jobs to support a family. That includes those with a college education. That is really all that is left around Wicomico county. So sad
Responding to 8:13 PM Posting
I agree, it is about Jobs, Jobs, Jobs. But where are they. There are none. Pollitts budget brags about being the recipient of Disparity grants, don't the citizens realize this is welfare? What pride is there to that?
This story is misleading because it makes people think their property tax bill will increase by 4.73%. That's far from the truth!
8:13
I graduated from JMB, went to college and graduated, then got an advanced degree. Both were liberal arts degrees. Even thought all the far right religious people on here say an education is worthless, I turned that degree into a $110k+/yr. job and retired in my 40's. I am a republican, don't give a crap about abortion and said F you to MD. If you are really a republican, you will will register to vote in a state that actually has a say in who the next president is. Your vote in MD is meaningless.
I see it appears even the great Joe Albero has finally seen the light. I got outta here last july to a true quality area...Google Naples florida and you will see what I mean....delmarva....quality??? Don't make me laugh.
11:29-You can't compare your education with what is offered today. Good article in the WorCo Times last week about how the Fortune 500 companies send out scouts looking for the brightest and the best and how American graduates are getting passed over in favor of those foreign educated.
FYI-these companies are pushing for Congress to make it easier these foreigners to obtain the proper work Visas.
A few years ago the SAT scores hit rock bottom. So instead of concentrating on student performance, they are rewriting the test.
You take all of this and pile it on top of the limited number of jobs available and for some it may not be a wise idea to obtain a degree. A trade may be a better option.
1:19 is this the same Phillips charged with sex offenses and soon to be a convicted felon. Wow we will support anyone I guess. Same b.s. differant day. The county has managed to secure 36 million. The bond rating has continually improved. So shut up and deal with it.
If you want to bitch do it about the unwed mothers kicking out six kids by age 21. The people driving Escalades up to Walmart purchasing with food stamps. Welfare fraud is a billion dollar crime and no one cares. When is the last time you read about anyone in Wicomico County being arrested for welfare fraud and yet we see it daily.
America's education system has nothing to do with providing instruction at the child's level of ability, unless the child has below average ability.
8:35 says-"1:19 is this the same Phillips charged with sex offenses and soon to be a convicted felon"
One thought comes to mind on this one "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"
It's a civil case moron! This person just proves what kind of ignoramuses support pollit and the democratic party. They are so uninformed as to not even know what's going on in their backyards yet in their minds they think they are qualified to vote intelligently.
The reason they have so lower the US education standards is because there is so much money to be made for a handful of people in the student loan industry.
By no one's stretch of the imagination am I a "far right religious" person 11:29. As a matter of fact, it's been well over 30 yrs since I've stepped foot in a church except for wedding and funerals, which I avoid those too if at all possible.
What I am though is not so naïve as to know it's all about the almighty dollar. Father taught me the Golden Rule over 50 yrs ago. He With the Gold Rules, and that's why the education standards were and continue to be lowered.
It wasn't so long ago, that US far left democratic senator Warren called the 10's of billions of dollars the fed govt makes off of student loans obscene.
To 10:53 Posting - This story is misleading because it makes people think their property tax bill will increase by 4.73%.
Reply - Well you are partially right, as in all fairness it is quite a bit more. If you look at the line graph real property values are increasing - so the net effect is much larger increase than 4.73%.
And that is the way the Democrats work - to DECEIVE. I will not be voting for Pollitt or any of his henchmen in the next election. They are all Crooks!
7:17 Lol at Florida. Happy 80th birthday!
You born here's are a dumb bunch I will say....your taxes are going up because of several things and the one your missing is the fact so many companies and people are leaving along with the tax dollars. You people will get what you deserve.....you have ignored progress and growth as most of you don't have the mental skills to understand it so instead you all have rallied against it and soon won't be able to live here either...
10:52 I stand corrected. You are right he avoided criminal prosecution with his political clout. Typical elitism. Lets see what he pays out. He is not the first politician to sexually abuse and get away with it.. You are very touchy about Mr. Phillips perhaps you are he or one of his victims. Sorry about the spelling I am blind and do the best I can. Grammer police humor me. They seem to attack when they dont have a valid response to the actual post.
As for Rick Pollitt he is a good family man no sexual civil or criminal cases there. We elected him on good basis you can not blame Rick for the current state of affairs in this COUNTRY excrement cranium. Did I spell that right I dont think so. I think you got it. So go get you thesarus and grammer 101 book out and respond. The bottom line is the whole country is in bad shape.
HIS STAFF CAN VISIT beer joints and drive county vehicles on the tax payers dollar.] Cant beat that.
Is he (and the council members who will support this) too stupid to know that this will drive out a few more strong businesses and residents who can afford to make choices, further decimating the tax base. Better to cut back ( the PIO position is a good place to start) and hold the line on taxes or reduce them. Spend some real time and effort on the state, county and local level changing policy to attract high paying jobs.
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