Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver announced today that Sharon Morris, Wicomico County Assistant Director of Administration, is retiring from county service effective August 27th. Mrs. Morris has been an employee of Wicomico County since March, 1986.
Mr. Culver commented, “I am appreciative of the service rendered by Mrs. Morris to the citizens of Wicomico County and wish her well in retirement.”
65 comments:
fire Strasberg and his gossipy secretary Lisa next. maybe there is hope for the county.
short release....sounds like not a friendly parting. LOL. She needed to go.
Retiring effective today - kinda sudden?!
Effective today??? Did she get fired or quit? Karma baby!!
great news for the county and for Culver. Be a Hogan and put your own team in place. Enough with the Pollitt/Creamer/Shea holdovers. You've almost been in office a year. Get it done!
Morris had no vision. Also wanted things done the "old way" because "that is how we've always done it". Well guess what, the old way doesn't/didn't work. People are tired of the good ole boys and their self-serving ways. Why do you think Trump, Carson and Cruz are leading the polls? Time for career politicians and career bureaucrats to go. Her position wasn't needed anyway. The original plan was for a much smaller executive office. It was Pollitt and the good ole boys who grew it to the monster it has become. Clean it up Bob.
get Strausburg off the books before he hits 5 years and he is vested.
hope Culver doesn't replace her. county doesn't need that many people in executive office. it wasn't in the original plan. plus, unlike Pollitt, Culver is engaged and hands on.
She stuck her nose in things that were none of her business and not part of her job. We don't need that position anyway.
agree with 3:21. She was too dedicated to the old ways, which were tax, spend and gimme gimme. Between she and Wayne, Culver must have had his hands full. Hope this is the beginning of serious change in the Executive office. More "retirements" needed.
She served no purpose. Good Move before she was fired.
Keep those seat belts on Folks.
She was a nice woman, but give me a freaking break she was only a secretary and a token!
Culver can't fire Creamer & Strausburg, they are the ones controlling his puppet strings. He has no idea what he's doing and he's driven everyone that had any knowledge out before he could figure it out. Wayne & Matt are all that's left and they are complete idiots.
Get rid of Strausburg and Creamer won't have his source in the executives office. It is up to Cannon and team to rid themselves of the old form of Government. The people voted for the change 10-22 years ago and nothing changed because of the Sharon Morris/Matt Creamer mindset. Good stuff, Bob
4:11 - you must be Mackes. Who has he driven out? YOU? Mackle has been replaced with a CPA, yes a CPA (which Mackle wasn't)who is well known and respected in the bond markets. That's a win for the county. From all reports Weston Young is doing a great job as a replacement for the very sketchy, abuser of county funds Beauchamp. Another win for the county. Baker is not respected by the majority of attorneys in this town plus he practiced politics instead of law. And, let's not forget the "sweet deal" that the good ole boys engineered for him. Better days ahead in the bloated "legal department" - another win for the county. And now, Morris, who was promoted over her head and was in a position not needed. These are all WINS for the county. I'd say the man knows exactly what he is doing. He's ridding us of the takers and abusers and looking out for the people. How does it feel to be on the losing team for once!?
Good job Bob! I've been waiting in the wings as many others for this one to be sent home. She was incompetent but assumed the role of "boss". So glad she finally retired. Go Bob!
4:56 well said! Completely agree. Need to see Creamer out. Cannon doesn't have the man parts to do it. Culver needs to rid himself of Strausburg, who has anger management issues and his little spy and pot stirrer Lisa. She is not professional enough for the Executive's office, plus she leaks information. Doesn't understand the word "discretion". If those two are gone, Creamer will be crippled. So, if Cannon doesn't have the fortitude or wisdom to do what needs to be done, Culver can at least cut off the supply of leaked info coming from his office.
4:39 Cannon is a joke. He IS one of the good old boys. Wish Marc Kilmer was the president of the council.
This is great news for the County. Bob needs to continue to weed out the tax and spend crowd. We can't afford them or the entitlements they believe they deserve. Given the immediacy of her retirement, something must have happened very abruptly. She has overstepped many times, maybe this time she went too far. Whatever the reason, it is good for the County in more ways than one.
Isn't she the one who wanted to hire Mike Elliott into the executive's office? The former deputy who was recently indicted for embezzlement and other things in Delaware? I don't think she is very smart or a good judge of character.
Thank you Sharon for retiring. I know it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks and I think that is exactly where you were. You served the county well in your capacity as office assistant to Creamer but you were over your head when Mr Pollitt promoted you to your present position. The new form of government was a challenge to everyone but especially those who had worked at the county for so many years. Enjoy your retirement.
Sharon was promoted over her head. She thought because she had been there a long time, that meant she knew a lot. Not so. Her arrogance did her in.
Is it time for the County (and Salisbury) to go to the appointed exec. ("Manager") form of government?
Sharon, you just couldn't control all aspects of the government like you tried to do. Most of the departments hated your trying to be their boss. There is a new sheriff in town who was elected to make changes but you wouldn't allow him to do so. I have watched the county council meetings and could not believe things you would ask permission of the council when they didn't have the authority but instead by charter the executive did. It was tough changing I realized when the council rehired Creamer who had been your boss for so long to not attempt to give him the power. Your frustration is now over. I hope you enjoy the fruits of your labor.
This is great news. A true savings of 85 thousand dollars annually of unneeded taxpayer funds.She had the qualifications of a 3rd string circus clown.I paid for enough of your starbucks coffee and lunches at market street.Maybe even become campaign manager for Marvin Ames who you saved his job after Gary Mackes gave him the ax he deserved and still does. We all hope he wins the city election so the county can be rid of him also.But that is doubtful because he has more judgements on the books than Bernie Madoff
Bob, as an employee in the Government office building, do us all a favor and get rid of the gossip hound in your office. She talks too much and isn't helping you. It does not reflect well on you as County Executive.
Please leave the RHINO Cannon out of this conversation. The man has spent his knot as far as I am concerned. He has been riding Mommas coat tail his whole life. You saw what happened when he went out into the real world. He ran home like a scolded dog.
Well, well, well. Culver has been in office since December. I voted for him so we could get new blood in key government posts. Finally we are seeing some positive movement in the Executive's office. Since the retirement was effective immediately, one would think Morris left under tense circumstances. She doesn't need to be replaced. Culver needs one REALLY good person and that person isn't Wayne Strausburg. One talented person can handle the work. Also, he needs a top notch assistant, not the current inept office help he currently has.
Can you imagine what a great job Culver could do if he had a decent staff? Maybe this is the beginning of real change - FINALLY!
This is really surprising. I thought Sharon wanted to stick around for a few more years. Obviously she let her personal political views and beliefs outweigh what the people voted for and wanted. If you can't support the leader, you do need to go.
Bob the clock is ticking as you approach the end of your first year in office. If you want to get re-elected, you will never do it surrounded by Pollitt holdovers. Clean the rest of your house before the end of your first year. That is what you were elected to do. Hogan did it immediately and people love him.
I'm hoping Bob will make the other changes so the county will get on the right track.
Jake Day for County Executive Bob better be ready. Just sayin'
Matt Drew is running for County Exec. Where's the beef Bob ?
Her retirement was sudden. Very strange for a 30 year employee. Does anyone else wonder what the real reason was?
10:31, Oh, is that the idea, eh? Well, in thhat case, I'll have to keep an even closer eye on all the business screw up decisions being made over the next 4+ years. Enough of you Idiots wanting children with no experience running everything with absolutely no experience. Thanks for the heads up and don't try to squirm out of what you just exposed.
What an idiot. Lawsuit waiting to happen.
You haven't a clue.
^^^^Right on the head of the nail Joe! That would be disaster
Please specifically tell us Bob Culver's experience. Can you once be fair minded. I will respect your thoughts even if its I don't know or he is a great business person. Just be specific with your answers if that is not too much to ask.
7:04 a.m. what law suit? since when is retiring against the law? just because she didn't work a notice, doesn't make it illegal. if she thinks she has a suit, wait until she see how many employees line up to testify about how many times she crossed the line in her job. she needed to go. couldn't adjust to the new form of government with out lame, do nothing Pollitt who let her run wild.
8:30- please explain what the "kids" are doing to make downtown better. Most people don't care to venture downtown to a bar and bar hop every night. Berlin hasn't made their town successful by doing that. They have interesting shops, restaurants and events that draw people from all over. Why don't the "kids" set their sights on a model like that instead of bars? Most of all, until the plaza is really cleaned up (as in actually cleaned and made to look attractive) and downtown is deemed safe (as in no crime, panhandlers or sketchy people roaming around), Salisbury will continue to be the armpit of the Eastern Shore.
8:30 AM, First of all, Bob HAS business experience. He has owned several businesses in Wicomico County. Now, if you are trying to suggest he didn't become a milti millionaire off of those businesses, you may be correct. However, he didn't fail financially. It takes a lot of guts and courage to start any business. That being said, do tell me what business Jim Ireton or Jake Day have started? What EXPERIENCE do they have? To ACT like you are not satisfied with Culver by challenging him is just out of line. Heck, Pollitt had NO business experience either.
The voters chose to elect a business minded candidate because they are tired of their taxes going up, their property values going down, crime through the roof and government growing instead of downsizing.
Culver has already proven to be fiscally responsible and it's killing Liberals like yourself. Sharon needed to go a LONG time ago. When I walked into a meeting a few years ago with Rick Pollitt, Jim Finneran and Sharon and NONE of them had ANY clue what they were spending at the Humane Society, I knew Sharon and that entire crew were useless. When they came back realizing I knew what I was talking about and they were off by hundreds of thousands of dollars, they needed to be replaced.
Culver has his hands in just about everything. He is surrounded by very smart people with a ton of business experience. Like it or not, there's going to be a LOT more changes, you mark my word on that. These are necessary changes for the good of the County.
Remember, a massive majority of voters decided they wanted change. Bob is delivering just that. As for the comments as to why Sharon left so abruptly, well, do you really need to think that one out any more then she left that day and not weeks or months from now.
As I stated in an earlier comment. Keep your seat belts on Folks. More to come.
Joe, I am not challenging Bob Culver whatsoever but what I am saying it doesn't make you a great leader as most are saying to come in and clean house. Firing everyone is the easy way out and very seldom successful. Change is needed but threats like saying "more to come" are the lack of a definite plan.
8:42 Joe, I agree. In my opinion, the "very smart people" that surround Bob are largely citizen volunteers with whom he consults. They are some of our best business leaders and community people, not lifelong bureaucrats. He has two really smart department heads too that Sharon and Wayne have tried to eliminate as they were viewed as "threats" to their power. I'm just hoping that your "keep your seat belts on" comment means more housecleaning is on the way.
To the commenter you were responding to - business experience of any kind, including understanding what it means to have to meet a payroll and ride the tide of up and down sales, is far superior to some of the "new kids on the block", who have not been responsible for any of that and have had daddy's money backing them up. Don't dis Culver because not every venture was wildly successful. He had the COURAGE to try - did/do you?
8:59, When you have a change in leadership and you have ANY business experience you know that when that change happens you can expect, (on a national level) about a 19%, (if not more) turnover in employees.
Bob is well UNDER that average. Now, Sharon RESIGNED. Mackes RESIGNED. Both parties had well more then enough time/years on the books to do so.
Culver has a very different vision for the County and that is exactly what the voters wanted. Culver has been very respectful towards ALL of the employees in the County and truly cares about each and every one of them.
HOWEVER, if you are in the way of progress and try to disrupt his goals, he's going to put someone in place who can work with his vision.
THAT is a seasoned businessman!
8:59 The people of this County voted for an elected Executive almost 10 years ago. An elected official traditionally surrounds oneself with like minded people. Hogan replaced the liberals. Why shouldn't Culver be able to do the same? Because Pollitt was a puppet of Creamer/Shea and the old guard, nothing changed under the Pollitt executive tenure. So, Culver has the added burden of having to "introduce" the true meaning of an elected Executive. The people who voted for Culver voted for change. For some of us, it hasn't happened fast enough.
8:59 did you Bob Culver say there were more to come. I doubt it. It is Mr. Albero who is predicting there will be more to come. Gov. Hogan got rid of O'Malley's appointments and it is a fair assessment it will happen with culver too.
9:05 Albero you are absolutely right on this one! The fact that people think Bob is "firing" everyone is absurd. Get the facts people!!!!
Now what about that bat in the basement? Can Bob get rid of her too?
Morris, Mackes, Baker and some others were all part of the good ole boys. They stacked Wicomico County government to work for them and designed lucrative benefits and retirement packages. If the public really knew the extend of the cash paid out to these people, there would be a revolt. They and others were NOT looking out for the citizens, but themselves and their little click. Someone needs to do a FOIA on retirement and other benefits paid out to these abusers.
9:09 Agree! Pollitt was a figurehead told what to do by the bureaucrats. The majority of citizens in Wicomico County REJECTED Pollitt and his lack of personal courage and leadership. They ELECTED someone who they felt would make changes and rein in the out of control spending. So to those of you who don't like it, suck it up. That is what you expected those who didn't support Pollitt to do. Grow up and accept the fact that your side LOST and the majority of us are wanting change. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE IS ELECTED.
Apparently Morris couldn't adjust to the new administration. If she couldn't support the person elected by the people, she needed to go. Her role was to help execute his vision. If she couldn't do that, she did the right thing by leaving.
Sharon Morris stuck her nose into matters that were not her concern. She wouldn't let department heads do their jobs. She was a bully and self-important. Pollitt helped create this by his not being a true executive. Culver is engaged and wants to know what is going on. Culver may have a learning curve and it is made more difficult by the secrecy used by the Pollitt holdovers. Apparently Morris couldn't stand to work for a real executive.
Listen, the woman had worked for the county for 30 years. Quite simply, it was time for her to go. Do the circumstances really matter? In almost every career you can name, after 30 years you are burned out, a dinosaur or too set in your ways to be a vibrant, engaged contributor. Bottom line - the position wasn't needed anyway.
Best wishes, Sharon!
Now if they would only get rid of the executive director of wicomico county housing authority and that wizened old harridan that works in the rental office at riverside homes.
I wish Rick Pollitt still was in charge,for a very selfish reason.Were he re-elected,Crisfield would not have this fat rascal as town manager.
Great job Bob! You are doing a great job for the citizens of this county. I voted for you and I will continue to support you because you are what is needed and you are good for all of us.
GOD bless you and give you strength everyday.
This cracked me up. What exactly is a " bat in the basement"? Sounds creepy.
Good luck Sharon!
I have no doubt as to who the bat in the basement is. We referred to her as the queen. Queen bat?
If someone had done a proper background check, they never would have allowed someone who lied on their application about a very serious offense to be hired.
10:21 please share.
11:17-- A tier 3 child sex offender that some feel has a right to work, even though he lied to get the job. Says right on the application that you must disclose details regarding your conviction. He did not. He verbally lied, with which details don't match online info. Let's see if this makes it through. Probably not.
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