Mr. Pollitt’s annual report – required by Wicomico County’s Charter – had already become a yearly paean to Rick before the latest one was issued this week. No doubt the PR skill of Jim Fineran is a prime factor in both its style and substance, which includes much color, graphics and platitudinous prose. This year’s version is no exception.
This year’s report recounts in glowing terms various matters that, as portrayed, make it appear that Pollitt has expertly guided and administered the County for another year. Left unsaid are aspects that make his stewardship seem somewhat less stellar. Yes, he has presented a balanced budget by reducing expenditure to match falling revenue, but no mention that he is required by law to do so. Yes, the County has good (albeit not great) bond ratings, but so too do many other counties, and some have even better ones.
The reader, if not well informed, would never imagine that Mr. Pollitt did not run well in this year’s election, in which he prevailed against a largely unknown opponent whose campaign was as poorly managed as possible. Even a mediocre candidate might well have unseated him.
Just as he did during his campaign for reelection (one of the successes mentioned in his report), Mr. Pollitt has again demonstrated that he is probably the most astute politician in local government in recent memory, Paul Martin, Norm Conway and Lewis Riley included. To be sure, having a PR consultant on his staff (at taxpayer expense) makes it easier for Pollitt. But you have to recognize in him the same ability to self-promote and avoid addressing the problems that we see in such political players as Clinton, Obama and even Martin O’Malley.
The glaring omission in the report, however, is what Rick proposes for the future – such as his recent plea to the local members of the General Assembly to allow the County to impose new fees and taxes. And what about his still secret plan to prohibit development in agricultural area? With falling property tax assessments and revenue, will he ask the Council to pass a budget that has a higher tax rate, which could be done under the tax revenue cap?
Even a professional pol like Rick Pollitt needs bit of luck, which is what he received with the recent snowstorm that gave him a reason not to “go live” to deliver his pablum for the public this year. By calling off that event, which in the past has been the occasion for his “State if the County” lecture about his plans for the coming year, he has once again managed to avoid tough questions about things. But those questions will be coming on this blog even if not in the Daily Times and the other members of what passes for the mainstream media in Wicomico County.
24 comments:
Joe, I was reading over the report from the County website, and it is just a rehash of all the press releases put out over the year. There is no new content here. I heard from a friend who works for the County that Fineran outsourced it to some other department to do. I agree that this is extremely biased, and what is the point since it is all available anyway if you read through the archived press releases online. It is a total waste of money. If the charter requires this be done, why not have some new content? Why not do something other than repackage and distribute old press releases?
The roads are still very dangerous and have been for the last two days. What are my taxes paying for if not for our health and safety. I haven't seen one county plow since the snow started falling Christmas Day. Where is your plan, Mr. Pollitt, for this? The State did an outstanding job on Route 50 and Route 13.
Considering he is being manipulated by the fabulous three that is supposed to be for him but is really against him, I think he needs the PIO for support. People don't realize what Rick is really fighting.
the city council sprawl machine,thats cranking out useless property,while dimminishing the value of the valuable property in the metro core.bait and switch tactics,to manipulate the community and tax payers.metro soon to be a hollow shell.
10:47, If you haven't seen a county snowplow, it's because you have been hiding in a closet. All the county trucks have been out, however, after the cuts the department has received, it isn't that many. Especially considering that there are over 700 miles of roads in the county, being cleard by half the people on staff 20 years ago. The state on the other hand, doesn't have near the amount of lane miles, has more personell, and stole 97 percent of the money that funded the county roads division. Now, you tell me why the roads may not be cleared to your satisfaction, and start deciding which services you want, and which you can do without.
10:54...Your post is rather vague and strikes me as a lame red herring.
Leaders lead and are not manipulated.
My question to you is "do you know what the County is fighting" ?
This rambling post was off the mark by a mile. I am not sure who wrote the darn thing but it is full of half truths. Someone was snowed in to long and forgot to take thier meds. The fact is we are doing more with less. The United States Of America is in financial ruin and it would appear it ius all Rick's fault lol ?? Get real. This county run by a council was a money trap when Rick got voted in. Why are so many affraid to ask "Where did it go". The Land Fill was just a drop in the bucket.
Matt Craemer, Theodore Shea, Carl Peterson. Those are the three that need to be on public trail. We voted the other idiots into office that allowed this crew to rob us blind.
Rick my only problem with you is that you are a giant man with mouse balls. Step up and invesigate where all the money went. Why was the forensic auditor you hired fired ? Did she find something that would cause more outrage ?
Lawyers and Politicians have ruined a Great Nation. I say hang em all in the market square.
Have a Delmarvalous Day.
"Matt Craemer, Theodore Shea, Carl Peterson. Those are the three that need to be on public trail. We voted the other idiots into office that allowed this crew to rob us blind."
Another interesting take on the county's plight. None of the three you mentioned has any executive or legislative authority....yet they "robbed us blind"....I guess the 7 council members missed all that as it went down.After all, they do review and approve the budget.The people charged to carry out the will of the people are the Executive and the Council.It is patently absurd to hold others responsible.
Then 3:54 asserts that our Executive is so weak willed that he is manipulated by some mysterious troika ( and seems to offer this a some kind of defense which is at once amusing and depressing)...I seriously doubt that. Rick has never struck me as a man who can be managed by a puppeteer.He has a strong view of his role and is well intentioned.Whatever the challenges are that he faces ( and they are many) it is not that he is being manipulated.
Anonymous said...
Considering he is being manipulated by the fabulous three that is supposed to be for him but is really against him, I think he needs the PIO for support. People don't realize what Rick is really fighting.
10:54 AM
Who is that Fabulous Three that is manipulating him?
Anonymous said...
10:47, If you haven't seen a county snowplow, it's because you have been hiding in a closet. All the county trucks have been out, however, after the cuts the department has received, it isn't that many. Especially considering that there are over 700 miles of roads in the county, being cleard by half the people on staff 20 years ago. The state on the other hand, doesn't have near the amount of lane miles, has more personell, and stole 97 percent of the money that funded the county roads division. Now, you tell me why the roads may not be cleared to your satisfaction, and start deciding which services you want, and which you can do without.
11:51 AM
I certainly hope this isn't a county employee blogging on my tax dime? Must be since it sounds like someone in the know.
Let's see, what to cut. How about the county PIO you were told NOT to hire. Or sell that very expensive mall property, that should be worth a small fortune now. So what to cut, Hmmmm.
1:26pm, A forensic auditor? Give me a break. The county never ever hired a forensic auditor and then fire them. Get your facts straight before you type.
The new auditor, Steve, has his days numbered, mark my word. He was hired quietly a few weeks ago, and it won't be long before he stumbles upon the same stuff Deanne found. He'll be shown the door. There is so much corruption in this county that if the public found out about HALF of it, they would probably have a coronary. SO much money is wasted, it is almost not able to be believed.
3:08...yes, there is thos eof you who always ballyhoo about it can NEVER articulate where it actually is..so much waste that no one can ever point to it with any credibility..yes, it is so rampant that no one can find it.
Wicomico county's costs per citizen are among the lowest in the state...the last time I saw the figures Wicomico's spending per capita was either the third or fourth lowest in Maryland.
Rather than shooting from the hip and making absurd accusations, try doing a little factual research.
2:19 A figment of 10:54's imagination. "They" are "supposed to be for him" but are actually "against" him. They wear capes and masks and speak in codes.Matt Damon, Tom Cruise and Ben Affleck are goping to portray them in a new movie.
3:08pm Seems you know a lot about the IA office. Tell us who is corrupt, skimming or whatever else you have fantasized. You just can't make statements like that about "MY" government with out proof. So put up or just shut up.
Thanks, G.A. It wouldn't be the end of the year without one more chance for you to bust Rick's balls.
2:21, no idiot, I am not on the county's dime or your dime. Was the problem that my post made too much sense and that was the only response you could come up with? It doesn't take someone to work for the county to pay attention to the news and understand the situation that we are ALL facing. Some just choose to complain without knowing the facts, open their mouth, and insert their foot.
4:41, rotfl. That was hilarious!!
same old stuff. blah,blah,blah. make excuses & bait & switch politics. say goodbye to the three stooges! I can say, I DID NOT VOTE FOR HIM!
Let us all not forget for future references that it was Council that fired the first IA and specifically Stevie Prettyman and John Cannon that told the Daily Times that she deserved it.
Wow some toes got stepped on I see. Maybe more to this than meets the eye.Why would Pettyman & Cannon fodder want her fired. I smell a rat better yet a pair of them. We all suufer the same plight crooked agenda driven politicians. Greed has taken place of honor. Truth is a just a word.
Sad times we live in.
943pm Geeeez! How soon we forget. It was the entire council who fired her. Also, I checked the articles in the DT about this issue and no where, let me say this again, no where did it say Prettyman & Cannon said she deserved it. What are you smoking?
12:01am Am I to believe you are calling Prettyman and Cannon "crooked agenda driven politicans?" Please tell us of your first hand knowledge of their crooked agenda.
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