Employees were told just moments ago the doors will close very soon and severance packages will be handed out over the next 2 days.
Donegal, the parent company, watched the Salisbury branch dwindle away and chose to pull the plug completely. I can tell you that at least 30 people will lose their jobs.
Oh heck, at this rate, especially the way Mayor Jake Day is pulling millions of dollars out of the taxpayers rainy day funds, these people will have no problem getting City jobs at extremely high pay. Oh, that's right, he only hires kids out of Salisbury University with NO experience. I guess it means these 30 people will be unemployed until they sell their homes and relocate to a place that is actually growing, not crumbling.
Originally Published at 12:00 PM
102 comments:
How is this jake day fault???
How is this Day's fault...ALL of economics has trended away from small, local insurance companies to larger, nationwide companies...for example, my insurance company is located in Texas. Why? Because they offer the best coverage for the cheapest price. So blame Day for things that matter, but don't try and tie this into your bullshit.
Great place for a Royal farms.
I would think the failing is a reflection of how the business was run.
I have yet to find full time work and have been working part time for 2 years.
I am currently making arrangements to move
There is no other choice.
If it weren't for the support and assistance of my parents I would be homeless.
Welcome to the ghetto
Is this Avery Hall?
Maybe Jake can hire them to clean the River ?
The employees just found out at 10 this morning... most of us haven't even had time to let our families know.
Don't have any jobs, but at least we have a Folk Festival!
There is one across the street ?
Exactly, 12:19, it is a reflection of how the business is run.
They have been "top heavy" at that office for years, with a company "President" Eric Crouchley pulling down $300k a year while the cubicle slaves who did the work making an average of $40k , many after 20 or more years of service.
The small town company with personal service founded by the late Sam Seidel had been through several corporate buyouts over the last 2 decades, the latest being by Donegal Insurance Group, which will now do the same thing the Salisbury employees did at their corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania without the overhead of the Salisbury buildings and over two million dollars in salaries, half to "managers" and bonuses to "supervisors".
Now millionaire Crouchley will have even more time to spend on his yacht, where he often spent half the work week, instead of adding value to the operation, like an overpaid and underworked President would. The cubicle slaves who did the work will hit the unemployment line.
Signed, an unemployed cubicle schlepp.
Bc he is ANTI BUSINESS except for his Gillis BOYS.
Overpaid and underworked Eric Crouchkey took lessons from his butt-buddy Jake Day on how to run an established entity into the toilet, 12:09
To me (a former customer), they forgot that they were supposed to serve customers.
They were arrogant and actually acted like they were doing you a favor just talking to you.
12:09 PM How is it not his fault. Do you see him encouraging decent businesses to come here? All we've gotten is more retail, more fast food and a 20 hour festival that would require you to work for free.
Show me one thing he has done to bring in livable wage jobs.
Peninsula Ins. Co. is owned by Donegal Ins. Group. They are closing operations in Salisbury and moving to Corporate Headquarters in Marietta, Pa. It is my understanding approximately 60-70 employees will be impacted here and a loss of payroll (est. $3.5-$4.5 million).
The goal probably is to make the company a leaner operation, all resulting from the consolidation of computer operations and capabilities.
I feel sorry for the people as Peninsula Insurance provided some of the best employment packages and job opportunities in the area.
They had just finished renovating their offices here and they are second to none in the Salisbury area.
High taxes and a failure to address the violent crime epidemic plaguing our area is why business's are leaving they see the writing on the wall the same thing happened to Baltimore. It take strong leadership by someone with guts to turn it around
There is 150 Job Open at ECI. Full Time.
Day is a idiot
LOL, Eric is going nuts on us!
Blame the war on healthcare
More ,,"Arts Housing " huh Jake pennies on the $$$$$$$$ Jake ????
12:21, think real hard about that question
This is happening in all places except metropolitan areas... Not just Salisbury but nationwide in rural economies.
If memory serves me well, Peninsula Insurance was started by Sam Seidel and then Robin Gray joined in. This is NOT Avery Hall Insurance, although I think as an independent agent they do offer Donnegal Insurance.
Im no fan lf Day but very well articulated statement 12:09. I agree.
Well Jake Day needs that building for da Foke Festavul. Dai gonna needs sum space fo da getto bans dat gonna rok da 'burry.
Jake Day is the kiss of death for businesses. He's too busy planning happy hours and hippie festivals.
12:21 Wow! It SAYS "PENINSULA INSURANCE" right there on the building AND says the very same in the caption so I have to ask...why your question? Lack of attention/reading skills/comprehension? You just toss out another business name, someone else half reads and there goes rumor! Jeeeeesh...this is what's in the work force today around here...no wonder "stuff" happens! Sad...
Get out of SBY while you can...
12:19 And imagine people who don't have parents or have their parents help!!!!! So remember that if you are one of those clowns who says people don't need help and that they are a drain on the system or they just want to be lazy and suck off the tit of the govt...
Or remember all of this, when your house can be take from you over a in the rears water or sewer bill becasue you have no help or the help you have is far in between or to little of help...
He never said it was Day's fault for the company closing; its just that Salisbury is so down the hole that there no way the employees can find reasonable jobs.
30 employees try more like 60
I believe it was Sheldon Seidel that founded that insurance company many years ago. I bought my auto and homeowners insurance from them over 35 years ago, and dropped them as my insurance company just last year. This was after 30 years of no claims other than comprehensive for the occasional deer run-in, and finally having an accident due to a medical emergency (single car, no injuries other than my own, and some property damage from the pole that stopped my vehicle after I lost consciousness). They promptly raised my insurance rate for all my vehicles after the accident, even though I wasn't charged with any traffic violations, and claimed I was "at fault" because I fell ill behind the wheel. And they increased my homeowners insurance by 30%, because homeowners rate increases weren't limited by the Insurance Commissioner, like auto rates. Donegal paid me and the State of Maryland (pole replacement) off quickly after the accident, but the rate increases came right on the heels of the checks. Peninsula was a great insurance company, but when Donegal bought them, it wasn't the same company. Donegal is too big, and they suck. When I originally bought the auto insurance from Peninsula, I had accident forgiveness, never used, for the first accident (with no rate increase), a zero deductible for comprehensive, and an excellent premium. After Donegal took them over, they dropped the accident forgiveness and raised the deductable to $500.00, even though i haven't had a moving violation since 1978. 35 years, and they didn't even ask me why....or try to stop me from canceling. With no moving violations in 39 years, it wasn't hard to find another insurance company that was much cheaper than Peninsula (Donegal).
So everybody that had an old Peninsula policy will now be officially a Donegal customer. Watch your rates soar! Donegal never liked those inexpensive policies that Peninsula wrote anyway. The only ones left were the ones that Donegal couldn't find an excuse to raise their rates. Now they'll raise their rates just because they can.
I think you not finding full time employment and living off your parents is a reflection of your character and maybe laziness?
Failed architect.
Failed urban planner.
Failed mayor.
Maybe Daddy Day can send jakey back to school, again.
Close. The schools so bad WicomiCo terrible. Who wants to life here not me schools. Are so bad that the child cannot learn because. The bad children are coddled
Jake Day is a Soros mini me
12:19 what type of work are you looking for?
This will be the new City of Salisbury Government Building! Think about it!!
Eric Crouchley, Peninsula "President" will now have even more time to enjoy on his yacht--where he spent about half of the work week during boating weather, instead of out promoting the company like an overpaid and underworked "President" who makes $300k a year should have been.
Nice photo of Eric and his buddy Jake, thanks.
4:01 PM Show me where anyone said "living off their parents".
Another brilliant born here lacking comprehension skills.
Are you just jealous that my parents love me and offered some assistance during a hard time. Am I supposed to be embarrassed by that? I am not. Why would I knowing I am loved.
Go f yourself.
4:31 PM huh? not even close
3:37 It wasn't Sheldon Seidel. It was his brother Sam. He died back in the late 90's. Wonderful man.
Would seem that 4:30 attended the schools he/she is talking about.
Construction
Blame Obama.
Good at SPEEDING.
Damn shame
Welcome to DaBury home of the Art apts.
Thanks Mr Gillis.
Technology put them out of business. You can find and get insurance in minutes on the computer or phone. No need to go to an office and sit down with a salesperson. Majority of the time, the rates are much cheaper online.
April 3, 2018 at 12:07 PM
High and ever increasing taxes, people and companies with money leaving Salisbury, high paid city jobs for friends and family without experience or knowledge, overspending of taxes, and no spending on necessaries only on unless crap.
Yeah, Jake Day has nothing to do with any of this, and it's not like the city's government is mayor lead or anything.
Good insight 5:05 p.m. I agree, you must have experienced first hand!
Sweetie, According to their website -The Peninsula Insurance Company has agencies in Delaware, Maryland, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. On January 1, 2004, The Peninsula Insurance Group was acquired by Donegal Group Inc., and our companies became members of the Donegal Insurance Group. So it appears there were a group of companies operating as Peninsula Insurance who were bought by Donegel in 2004. Peninsula customers have offically been Donegel customers since 2004.
Yes Donegal took over 14 or so years ago. They started forcing little efficient Peninsula to use their old DOS system computer system. Donegal stripped away profit sharing a few years later, hey more $$$ for Donegal! They stopped replacing the hard workers and forced everyone to do more work, except for the Department Managers, who were now Vice Presidents and mainly responsible for making $100K per year, plus bonuses, company trips and other perks. The Prez frequently took off half days on Thursday and told his secretaries to tell Don (the Donegal biggest cheese), if Don called, that he had just stepped out and call him on his cell phone, so he could call Don back. Then he would be gone for a LONG weekend, fishing on his powerboat with his buddies, who had to pony up $100 each for fuel. Some folks might say that the slacker leadership style caught up with Peninsula and is a big reason that so many folks got the bad news today.
Do you agree or disagree?
Basically, Donegal wanted Peninsula to be just like them as months and years went by. More and more tasks were AUDITED and RE-AUDITED to ensure the outcomes that Donegal wanted were fulfilled. They were so successful that Peninsula was.....oh, that's right, they are closing. Was that what Donegal wanted, the Donegal with 33 regular and senior and executive vice presidents listed on their company website today? Nice job, Donegal. Good thing you aren't hurting any people here.
Do you agree or disagree?
Some of us older folks are ill informed about job opportunities in today's environment.
I am informed, unfortunately.
5:36 PM I get what you are saying but cheaper is not always better and having someone local to turn to is always an asset.
Some idiot plowed into my vehicle and Corporate State Farm, where accidents are handled was a clown show. I called my agent's office, Gamee, and they helped me deal with the stupidity I was enduring from corporate and they resolved the problem for me.
Had I only had an 800 number to consult I would still be waiting for a check.
Its intentional to tie your hands and make you helpless. I would never go without a local agent to help.
Good insight 6:02 Sounds like you are in the know. I hear the local Walmart is ready for the new online grocery shopping and customer pickup at their store today in da bury. Don't know if there will be any $8/hour jobs created by it....
1st hand knowledge or just spouting accussations
They are moving people from other areas
Peninsula was a hometown company. I hope all employees are able to find suitable jobs
But if you pay them $8 per hour, it will only take 3/4 of their paycheck to pay for Obamacare! Thank you Barry Soetoro!
I can imagine what your hard time is. . .MILLENNIAL BRAT
This is exactly the reason why Mike Dunn wants to raise property taxes. It's because of the eroded industrial/business base in Wicomico that has caused income tax revenues to plummet. No Jobs + less incomes = less income tax revenues
Instead of trying to 'right the ship' what does Mike Dunn want to do - you've got it - raise yet another tax barrier to force people to move by increasing the property taxes. What a loser.
7:36 PM - Hey loser, that's your best comeback? LMAO. What a sad little person you are Give yourself a hug.
Another prime example of the class of people inhabiting this ghetto. No wonder companies ran from here.
I am sorry for the people who will lose their jobs, but that is about the only nice thing I can say about any insurance company. It shouldn't be surprising to anyone who lives in that ghetto of a town.
Not to offend, there are some good people still living in that town, I happen to know and love a few of them still there.
But, that town is a shadow of a ghost to what it once was. Teachers and healthcare workers are about the only 'stable' professions still remaining there.
There are banks, fast food dumps, convenience stores, new and used car dealers, and a few not-so-good hotels still managing to squeak by. For how long, who knows? I don't.
Years ago we had a candidate running for mayor of that town who might have been able to turn things around. Then again, maybe not. But we will never know now unless he decides to run again in the future. IF Salisbury will be there in the future. I don't have to mention his name as I am sure all of you know who I am referring.
It is so easy to talk smack about that place, I do it on a regular basis when it comes up. But aside from being a wiseguy, much if not all of what is said about that town just happens to be true. IMO of course.
Instead of celebrating new bike paths, being tolerant of gays and whatever other current PC cultures leadership likes to flaunt, Salisbury is nearing desperate status, if not there already. Again, IMO.
I know very little about politics and even less about managing any town but no one has to be schooled in either to see that town needs serious help.
Everyone has their own pet reason for Salisbury's demise and they may be correct when added to all the other reasons Salisbury is failing. I don't think there is only one reason responsible, as there are multiple things contributing to Salisbury's fall.
I am pretty sure the leaders of that town read this blog on a regular basis so my message to them is, put your egos away and whatever else is holding you back from improving conditions in that town.
And please, no excuses. No one cares about the why nots, just get it done.
Wow you know more about this company and their personal information then we as employees know. I have been an employee here for 40 years and it is no one business what employee names or salary are. I think you crossed the line so let’s just hope you get a hole in your bucket and lose all your stones. I never met anyone perfect before. People have lost their jobs they are consumed with how they will pay their house payment or feed there kids, get health insurance.
I believe we live in a world where you have the right to spend the money we earn on whatever we please. When was the last time the President of the electric company came knocking on you door to sell you electric
10:53 PM Sorry you missed the point of their comment. My takeaway was the typical financial disparity of the top and the middle. Most employees aren't blind or stupid. If you worked there 40 years and didn't have a clue I would say you are the exception..
10:57, the keyword in your post is "earn". Eric Crouchley did little called 'work" to "earn his quarter-million plus a year, plus a paid seat on the Board of Directors.
He should have been out there hustling every day. You see, the electric company is a monopoly, so nobody needs to hustle their business. Insurance, whether commercial, homeowners, auto, or other "personal lines" has myriad competitors, offering differing reputations, service, and prices, which is the primary driver of most peoples' insurance purchases. They advertise on tv, the radio, and are online. Was Peninsula?
Eric was remiss in his duties, for which he was waaay overpaid, as were the glut of managers and supervisors who were unnecessary, while the grunts in the cubicles were making $40-50k after 20 years, and did all the work.
The "captain goes down with the ship", Edward Smith, captain of the ill=fated Titanic said. For Crouchly, his mink lined lifeboat with stock options, a fat 401k, and other severance benefits that the cube-grunts won't see, will allow him to enjoy his retirement, while the grunts wait in the unemployment line and turn in their "job seek" signatures every week to get their pittance from the taxpayers for a few months, and then thay will be, as they say "SOL"
April 3, 2018 at 5:18 PM:
Yes, I always confused Sam with Sheldon, and vice versa. Sam and Cam Jackson were who I originally signed up with as Peninsula Insurance. It was local insurance for local people. After Donegal took over, it just became like any other insurance company, always raising rates for nothing, or anything. That's now what the last of the Peninsula customers have to look forward to, as Donegal officially dissolves Peninsula Insurance.
Now that I think of it, Sheldon was the father of the meteorologist on the weather channel.
I worked at Peninsula for 13 and 1/2 years and was laid off just after Donegal took over as did about seven other people got laid off. Reason was they were eliminating my job. Sam Seidel started the company and I was her personal secretary for a couple of years up until he passed away. Sam and his wife, Lynn, had three children. Mike Seidel that works for the weather channel is the son of Sam, not Sheldon. The shock of working at Peninsula for me, was the blatant class system of the kings who were the President, Vice Presidents and managers. I understand that Sam was very tough in his younger years, but I couldn't have asked for a better boss, friend and human being than Sam Seidel and I hate to say this, but at that time he was the only man in a supervisory position that I respected. After Sam passed and the company was sold again, the company from my perspective took a big dive for the worse, and yes, I witnessed many unfair things that went on in that company and the scale was always tipped for the new Presdent. Sam would walk in the front door and say Good Morning to everyone as he went into his office. The president that replaced him, would walk in the front door and almost run right into to you and wouldn't even acknowledge you were there. I am saddened that Peninsula is closing because I have some dear friends working there. But, as hard as it was for me to get laid off at 59 and all my duties were spread out among others who either didn't have as much time in the company as I did, or were pets and butt kissers of the kings in charge, the day I returned to work after four weeks off for double hernia surgery and then called in by Mr. new President and told I had about one and one half hours to pack up my personal things and was being laid off and at that very moment, I knew God was stepping in and had something better in mind for me. There were no Queens, only special hand maidens that numbered three when I left that had a title of Department Manager. As a woman who ran her own business for ten years prior to going to Peninsula, I knew it was time for me to leave a toxic situation and Peninsula made it easier for me by laying me off. Don't blame Day, in the world we live in now as everybody should know it is all about the almighty dollar and people don't matter anymore. So my friends at Peninsula and you know who you are, hang in there. God has taken care of me and my family still loves and helps me. Respect yourself and humble yourself to let God take over and he will take care of you also.
It’s a shame this local insurance company is closing its doors. Don’t believe there are any left now on the Eastern Shore? Another long standing industry in the Salisbury area bites the dust.
Another brilliant born here lacking comprehension skills.
Are you just jealous that my parents love me and offered some assistance during a hard time. Am I supposed to be embarrassed by that? I am not. Why would I knowing I am loved.
Go f yourself.
April 3, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Whatever sympathy you may have garnered with your original comment is lost with such an ignorant and insulting comment to an entire population. Some of us are embarrassed for you. It's not hard to believe that finding full-time work could be difficult here, but now I am wondering if your lack of maturity has anything to do with it.
9:39 Almost right, lol. Weatherman was Sam's son Mike. He looks like his father, who was one smart and handsome man in his day. Sam worked hard to build that company and was a real go getter. Too bad his replacement couldn't do the same.
11:42 With that rich history I don't think you are anonymous anymore, lol....
Wonder if Donegal and Kevin Burke are reading all this....
Nah. They're probably planning the next company shutdown. Gotta line those executive pockets dontcha know. Corporate greed knows no bounds.
Thats a pretty bold statement! Doesn't really make much sense for a prospering company, such as Donegal appears to be, to buy struggling local companies, invest in those companies, only with the plan to close the business eventually. How is that a win for Donegal or it's executives? Im sure Donegal is like any other savvy business, and they acquire companies in the hopes of turning their book of business around so the local office actually turns a profit. They also likely provide access to technology and systems that most small companies don't have the resources to update to stay relevant in today's market.
But you clearly know what you're talking about, because Donegal spending millions to acquire companies, invest in those companies and then only close years later clearly lined the executives pockets, rather than trying to save a local business that was already on the chopping block (apparently several times).
Seriously some of these comments are out of line.
Peninsula Insurance was a great company. They always tried to work with their customers until big business stepped in. Thats the real reason or fault for their closing big business.
Just like Wal-Mart stepped in and closed down all smaller stores.
I feel for their employees.
meant to put this comment here.
Thats a pretty bold statement! Doesn't really make much sense for a prospering company, such as Donegal appears to be, to buy struggling local companies, invest in those companies, only with the plan to close the business eventually. How is that a win for Donegal or it's executives? Im sure Donegal is like any other savvy business, and they acquire companies in the hopes of turning their book of business around so the local office actually turns a profit. They also likely provide access to technology and systems that most small companies don't have the resources to update to stay relevant in today's market.
But you clearly know what you're talking about, because Donegal spending millions to acquire companies, invest in those companies and then only close years later clearly lined the executives pockets, rather than trying to save a local business that was already on the chopping block (apparently several times).
Peninsula wasn’t a local struggling company when they were acquired by their parent company Donegal. They were quite profitable with a local demographic until their hands were tied. Also you mention the access to technology and updated systems. Apparently what the Peninsula folks were given to work with was worse and more outdated than the software system they already had according to an earlier post
Did anyone here actually have an existing policy with Peninsula?
One could also say lack of local support contributed to closing too. We can't always blame big business, if it's the consumers that stop supporting local businesses. I bet every single person here has their insurance with a BIG BUSINESS (think progressive, nationwide, farmers, esurance).
easy to blame everyone else ... jake day, crouchley, donegal, but no one ever thinks may be there was something I could have done differently.
Remember Wal-Mart wouldn't be able to force local small businesses to close, if people continued shopping at those places. Are costs cheaper at Wal-Mart, sure. Just as insurance rates are cheaper with esurance.
After 85 previous posts about this story, it is hilarious to note that nobody has seriously disputed the truth about the negative comments concerning local management of this company,
What's funny Joe, is not long after you posted this Avery Hall Insurance started running some big advertisement campaigns on TV. They want to jump out quick and get the customers who will be fleeing from Peninsula Insurance.
12:23 PM Truth hurts sometimes and those lacking intelligence are typically the ones to blame the messenger. No one was looking for sympathy. No need to be embarrassed for them, your faux concern is not needed.
I am amused by your interpretation of the writer comment.
And the "whole community" is not made of up "born here's".
Obvious you are not in the loop and uninformed on how difficult it is here to find viable employment with a livable wage and benefits. Not all of us are interested in working in retail and fast food for low wages and high hours.
Another indicator you are blind to is the fact that the foreclosure rate is STILL at 10%. If employment was so easy to come by why are people still fleeing and losing their homes?
When was the last time you left the house and actually looked at ALL the vacant commercial buildings littering the city? More proof that viable employment is difficult to find.
You need to step up your "insulting other commentors" game because you are lacking in that area. If you had a clue you would have noticed that all the indicators supporting their statement are there in plain view.
12:23 PM You can doubt April 3, 2018 at 5:15 PM all you want but here is one example of how difficult it is to find a full time job around here.
On Careerbuilder there is an ad for an Admin Assist at Trinity Sterile that was posted 9 hours ago. There are already 75 people that applied thru Careerbuilder.
I was number 76.
12:23 PM You can doubt April 3, 2018 at 5:15 PM all you want but here is one example of how difficult it is to find a full time job around here.
On Careerbuilder there is an ad for an Admin Assist at Trinity Sterile that was posted 9 hours ago. There are already 75 people that applied thru Careerbuilder.
I was number 76.
I am embarrassed for you.
*an
10:18 AM oh we are shaking because a spelling nazi is here with nothing important to add to the conversation. Pathetic.
That's the perfect place for a permanent Fulk Festival!
Insurance is a legalized scam. They were thieves. Good riddance.
Basking Robbins also closing this week.
Sad but glad that Sam Seidel is now here to see how they ruined the business that he built into a successful and worthy enterprise. And he would be sickened by the likes of Jake Day, Jack Heath and Muir Boda.
11:37 You can't spell, use the correct words or proper grammar and complain on this blog that businesses are closing and no new ones are coming to the area. Think about it for minute. Now do a google search of the most prosperous areas in the US and look at the education levels of the people residing there.
The one on Route 13 by the Dollar General store?
Is that also what you think about the federal government when taxes are taken out of you paycheck? Oh wait. . You probably don't even work.
Wow
Avery Hall is an agent of Peninsula. They have always ran advertisements.
Do you?
Jake Day is nothing but the son of a rich man that likes to hear himself talk!
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