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Friday, February 03, 2012

A Comment Worthy Of A Post 2-3-12

Bryan Records has left a new comment on your post "Rick Hoppes Rejected As Salisbury's Next Fire Chie...":


After thinking long and hard on this situation I have decided to give my two cents worth on the matter. I am flattered to have my name mentioned for the position of Fire Chief. The people who really know me understand that I have no desire to hold that position. I'm an operations guy who enjoys what I do and being close to the troops.

Let me clearly state that Rick Hoppes has been in and commanded many fires over the years as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Asst. Chief and Deputy Chief in Salisbury. I have been on the end of a hoseline with him and he has proven himself many times. Rick has come through the ranks and prepared himself both personally and professionally to perform at every rank he has held. As the Acting Chief for 18 months he ran the department faithfully until a replacement was found for Chief Dave See. Did he make mistakes ? Yes. But dont we all? He knows the mistakes he made and has become a better person and leader going forward. When Chief Simpson resigned Rick once again stepped forward and accepted the awesome responsibility of Salisbury's Chief. Mayor Ireton displayed his full faith in Rick and made Him his choice for the position of Fire Chief.

I must admit I am shocked at the decision not to promote Rick as the next Chief of the Salisbury Fire Department. I was fully prepared and looking forward to moving forward with Rick as the next chief as were many of my peers.The man had the support of the members and at least eight local fire departments and organizations. That speaks volumes about a mans character when you have that much support. Rick has served this department since 1985 with dedication and professionalism at every level. That could not be said for some of his critics.

I have always believed and openly stated that college degrees do not put out fires or give you leadership abilities. They merely enhance the knowledge base of the individual on a particular subject matter. In our business it is all about respect that is earned over time by doing a good job. You cant buy it, fake it or self proclaim it. Rick has earned my respect and I would go to war with in on any emergency.


I believe Rick is just shy of his BS degree and could easily finish it within a year. If that is the sticking point in this matter then make it a term of employment for the Chief position. I have complete faith that he will complete his degree. Rick Hoppes is a man of his word and would do whatever it took to make the Salisbury Fire Department a premier organization. It is my desire that our City leaders will reconsider their decision and make the right choice in this matter.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kudos!

Salisbury has become a banana republic!

Anonymous said...

Mr. Records, you are a true and honest gentleman. I cannot express my degree of respect and admiration for you. And I don't even live in Salisbury or Wicomico County. Character speaks. And, you sir, speak it well.

Anonymous said...

Nice comments Mr Records. I can see from your post why your name was mentioned to be Fire Chief and I understand your position of not applying.

I guess it is too late for Mr Hoppes but it is a shame that regs did not state BS OR ____ years experience. A college degree does not always mean one is capable of doing the job. I would choose someone with knowledge through experience and climbing the ranks, over a college degree, in most situations.

Anonymous said...

Joe, no one knows whether it was the B.S. degree or something else that factored into the council's decision not to okay this fellow Hoppes for the job.

If a B.S. degree was required (don't know, was it?) and Hoppes is "just shy" of it, Ireton had no business advancing him prematurely. Ireton should have waited instead of advancing him when the council would have had to say no.

If it's something other than the B.S. degree, no one outside of that council knows what it is, including Mr. Records. Should Mr. Records be talking about this publicly? As a retired manager, I say no, he shouldn't. The reason we did things with the door shut and the file private was to protect the employee from exactly this kind of circus.

As an old guy who had hundreds of employees come in and out my doors over the years, I smell the stench of politics (yes, we have it in private business, too).

Watching what I have of what goes on in Salisbury, you have a very immature mayor who runs to the press with everything. Ireton was either trying to embarrass the council, embarrass Hoppes, or both. Question is, why? Ireton is in the paper nearly every day yelling about this council. Why? They've disagreed with him on some things, but they seem to have good reason and don't seem to be "after him."

Not sure what Ireton's problem is, but he makes the whole city look bad with these press stunts. For some reason he wants to make this council look bad, but he's actually got me feeling sorry for them, something I rarely do when it comes to elected officials.

Anonymous said...

And under Rick you would not be held accountable as you were under Chief Simpson...

Anonymous said...

hoppes is the same guy that gave us the fire boat. thanks sjd

Anonymous said...

Finish the degree, then apply. Why Ireton put him forward knowing that he did not meet the minimum quals in the job app is beyond me. Whether that should have been the minimum qualification is a separate question, but it is pretty clear that you cannot hire a guy who does not meet the advertised minimums--that is how you get employment lawsuits!

Anonymous said...

I think that is something we all want to know. If a BS degree was a requirement why in the world did the mayor even try to get him to be chief. If the BS degree is why the counsel turned him down then they did a good job by doing so since there would have been more problems later if he was not qualified for the position. If the BS degree is required and he is close I say maybe let him stay as acting chief until he completes his BS as long as a time frame is given to him on this. I have more respect for someone that has come up through the ranks than someone that is book smart.

Anonymous said...

Well said Bryan ...

Anonymous said...

Well said Ole Gray..... BBOM

Anonymous said...

Well said Bryan. In with the new and for sure out with this City Council. Its ridiculous to say the least. Too many people live in glass buildings. Have you ever heard of a "Battlefield Commision". Rick Hoppes deserves to be Chief! He has fought enough battles to deserve it and is well respected.

Anonymous said...

What a shame this thread is falling to the bottom as old news too quick.

Anonymous said...

The council needs to reconsider this one......
Put the man in the position or at least state why he does not cut the mustard.
the only qualm I have about Hoppes is will he be diligent on spending?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

And under Rick you would not be held accountable as you were under Chief Simpson...

February 3, 2012 12:21 PM

What does that statement mean?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

The council needs to reconsider this one......
Put the man in the position or at least state why he does not cut the mustard.
the only qualm I have about Hoppes is will he be diligent on spending?

February 3, 2012 4:11 PM

They did state it. Are you not paying attention?

Anonymous said...

"In our business it is all about respect that is earned over time by doing a good job. You cant buy it, fake it or self proclaim it."

This made me laugh considering who it is coming from

Anonymous said...

Well said Bryan.
Does everyone on the City Council have a BS degree? Bachelors degree that is. We all know they have a bullshit degree.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

"In our business it is all about respect that is earned over time by doing a good job. You cant buy it, fake it or self proclaim it."

This made me laugh considering who it is coming from

February 3, 2012 5:54 PM

So true!

Anonymous said...

The author of your comment worthy of a post is actually a snake in the grass. Don't let him fool you Mr. Albero.

Anonymous said...

At least he signed his name to the comment. Unlike you 11.40. Rick Tull was the last person to man up by signing his name after you ripped his brother. People like you showed a lack of class by making ignorant and disrespectful comments about John. You have serious issues in Salisbury.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

At least he signed his name to the comment. Unlike you 11.40. Rick Tull was the last person to man up by signing his name after you ripped his brother. People like you showed a lack of class by making ignorant and disrespectful comments about John. You have serious issues in Salisbury.

February 4, 2012 9:00 AM

I see you didn't sign your name you ignorant moron. You must be another snake in the grass.