DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Monday, February 28, 2011
110 Comments Since Noon
Salisbury News Goes Back To Anonymous Comments
The main reason so many have asked us to do so is that they are afraid of retribution. Even though we explained that their information would not be accessed by any outside source, people are clearly afraid and I had to reconsider our position.
The final thing that convinced me to go back to anonymous comments is because it is extremely important, (to me) that comments help our community to openly discuss how they feel about a particular situation/post. If people are afraid, well, then only a certain group of people win and the topic fades away or simply drops.
That being said, we will simply reject the personal attacks, all capital letters and curse word comments. Give me 2 minutes and we'll be back to open comments.
Should Council Vote for a New Bennett Middle School?
We need to replace Bennett Middle School. I don’t think there is anyone arguing that we don’t. Accepting this, does that mean the Wicomico County Council should vote on Tuesday to include a new Bennett Middle School in the county’s capital budget? No.
The argument goes something like this …
By putting the project in the capital budget now we are not committing to funding it. Unless the county’s financial picture changes, we don’t have to include it when the county passes its bond bill in the fall. However, if we don’t the county loses that flexibility. We will certainly face higher construction costs in the future AND we move to the bottom of the pile when seeking funding from the state.
All of this is true. In fact, if a majority of council votes to include a new Bennett Middle in the capital budget on Tuesday this is the same argument we will hear in the fall when passing the bond bill.
Betting On the “Come”
Given the last two rounds of property reassessments, and the current trend in income tax receipts, does any member of council honestly believe that the county’s financial picture will change sufficiently to justify borrowing this money in the fall? Of course not! Why include a project that you wouldn’t vote to fund … unless your real intention is to go ahead and add to the county’s dangerously high debt levels with no real plan for funding it? When voters elected 6 Republican, and supposedly conservative, council members last November they thought the days of “betting on the come” would end in Wicomico County. Tuesday’s council vote will let voters know if this is really true.
A Monument to John Fredericksen’s Ego
In Monday’s Daily Times we are treated to the following:
School board President Michelle Wright and Superintendent John Fredericksen say there are good reasons to keep the project a possibility. It would give the school system and county more time to discuss cost-cutting ideas and to pursue alternative financing ideas, they say.
Really John? Really Michelle? Just last week the School Building Commission received a consultant’s report (costing the taxpayers almost $20,000) that outlined some very modest cost cutting measures in the proposed project. The BOE stance was that replacing brick pavers (expensive) with more modest concrete would harm the “ambiance” of the school. While I’m sure that the BOE will “discuss” cost-cutting ideas, they are only going to implement them if FORCED. Sadly, County Executive Rick Pollitt doesn’t possess the backbone to force the BOE to do anything.
In an earlier DT article, Wright is quoted:
Wright said though she was aware there was a perception the building was a "Taj Mahal" and more than needed, it was her understanding that all of its features were necessary to meet state construction guidelines and instructional needs.
Are we to believe that the state is REQUIRING brick pavers? I know that this is one minor example. However, it is illustrative. The public simply cannot trust the word of Fredericksen or most of the Board members. The building IS a “Taj Mahal”. The proposed project is a monument to the collective egos of John Fredericksen and the majority of his board members (along with numerous BOE bureaucrats).
We’re NOT Playing Politics
To add insult to injury, Fredericksen and his merry little band are using YOUR tax dollars to politicize the issue.
We shouldn’t forget that your tax dollars go to pay the salary of the wife of the Daily Times’ Managing Editor. Coincidentally (sure), the DT has run at least 3 articles on this subject in the past week!
In addition, tax dollars are being used to “communicate to parents” the “need” to move this forward NOW. Using tax dollars to “encourage” parents and board employees to lobby for more county spending (and debt) is legal, but ethically questionable.
However, we shouldn’t be shocked that board members such as retired teacher Ron Willey find no problem with this:
Board member Ron Willey said he didn't want the board to be perceived as running a political campaign, but he thought it was important to communicate to parents of students at BMS feeder schools that the project was in jeopardy.
The Bottom Line
Wicomico County simply can’t afford to build a new Bennett Middle this year. Even if we could, funding this monument to ego shouldn’t be funded REGARDLESS of the county’s current financial situation.
Fredericksen and Wright should be forced to come up with a REALISTIC and financially prudent plan BEFORE the council agrees to move this project forward. A vote by council to place this on the county’s capital budget is a vote to endorse the spendthrift ways of the WCBOE, a vote for more fiscal chicanery, and a signal that the taxpayers of Wicomico County simply don’t matter in comparison to the desires of the county’s largest bureaucracy.
Why Is Everyone So Afraid Of Fire?
When you get to be my age, after paying for insurance over the past 30 years, why not get something out of it.
Instead, the wet pants liberals want to force a million dollar Fire Boat down our throats even though there hasn't been multiple fires on properties on the river in 20 or 30 years.
The again, are these homes and businesses not insured? If the are, let them burn and rebuild. At least it will boost the local economy. Heck, by the time the Fire Boat arrives it will be too late anyway!
All I can tell you Folks is, you better get out and vote tomorrow and you better vote for Cohen, Spies and Boda.
National Search For Missing Virginia Woman
Lauren Taylor has not been seen since she walked away from a Falls Church group home.
Lauren, who turns 21 today, was last seen early Monday morning of last week .
Fairfax County police spokesman Don Gotthardt says they have issued a national alert with the help of the Natalee Holloway Resource Center.
More
OCEAN CITY POLICE HOLDING ADDITIONAL APPLICANT TESTING
Wicomico County Prescription Discount Card Program
Somali Pirates Capture Danish Ship With Seven On Board
Salisbury's New Fire Boat Will Now Cost $1,000,000.00
The reason, Councilwoman Campbell will be flying to Harvard this morning to attend classes this week and she will not be present to vote. That means Comegys won't even need to be present to pass the purchase.
Nevertheless, the price is now $1,000,000.00, not $900,000.00. Surprise, Surprise!
SAPOA vs. CAMPBELL
And who ended up as the winning bidder, that would be the President of SAPOA and her Husband. So you might say, the Adams Family could be moving in next door?
Here's the worst part Folks. The home SOLD for $80,000.00! If there's ever a Post in which comments should fly, this is the one.
Will the Adams Family flip the home, move in or rent it? One thing is for sure, buying any home in the City of Salisbury is a Lose/Lose situation any more. The taxes on this home are over $1,600.00 per year, more than twice the mortgage payment per month. Add water and sewer and your getting close to triple.
If the Adams are spiteful, they'll rent it. If they're smart they'll flip it. If they're crazy they'll move in. No matter how you look at it, they got a great buy. God Bless America.
Is This Blight?
Is there no pride? Or shall we look on the blight side and be thankful we have so much inventory.
Pothole Politics Could Drive Gas Tax Rise
Hit to localities' highway funds taking a toll on roads
A few years ago, when Maryland's economy was cruising along and the tax money was rolling in, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman could count on receiving about $16 million a year from the state to keep local roads in good repair.But this year, like the year before, he didn't even get $500,000. And unless the state can tap into a new stream of money, things aren't looking much better for 2012.
Howard County's story is typical of jurisdictions across Maryland. With the exception of Baltimore City, every jurisdiction in the state has seen its road repair money slashed by about 97 percent from levels in budget year 2007.
More
Tornado Watch Issued For D.C. Area
Moose Lodge Donates To Sheriff's Department
Walker Explodes Union Lies On 'Meet the Press'
Appearing Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" with David Gregory, Walker laid out his plan to save his state from fiscal bankruptcy while destroying several false claims about his legislation that is being delayed by Senate Democrats who refuse to appear for a final vote.
Among the significant issues covered during his "Meet the Press" interview, Walker:
Denied he is destroying public employee unions.
Claimed that unions are not acting in good faith.
Explained the law helps local governments curb union demands.
Said public employee unions are making unusual demands on taxpayers.
Pointed out his new plan is consistent with how the federal government handles many employees.
Explained why police and firemen are exempt from his new law.
Read detail on each of these points here
A Letter To The Editor
