Chris Lewis Talks About His Platform For Change

My platform is pretty basic and it’s one you have been hearing from new Conservative candidates running for the first time all across the country. I believe the goals and mindset of all levels of government must be taken back to one of representation and service to the legal citizens of this great country.

Saying government is too big is an understatement. The public sector keeps growing while the private sector continues to shrink. So where is the money coming from to the pay the public sector salaries, especially when all levels of government are so reluctant to cut spending? Basically our bureaucracy is just too plain big and is mostly a good old boy network. We are top heavy with multiple people doing the same job and creating a huge redundancy. This is not true of all departments in Wicomico County. We need to evaluate them all individually and cut the wasteful spending of our tax dollars. Of course, the County Executive should have done this years ago. However, courage and politics rarely mix.

Even without the massive tax increases coming down the pike on January 1, 2011, we are already taxed too much at the state, federal and local levels. An easy way to create growth and prosperity is to lower taxes. I am confused why it is so hard for many politicians to understand the fact people want to keep the money they earn. Lower taxes allow small businesses to grow and to hire more people. Lower taxes also has a history of bringing in more tax money to the government. Raising taxes and fees ends up hurting everyone.

The basic concept is to take government out of the hands of politicians and put it back into the hands of the people of this county and this country. Instead of voting for the same people over again and things continuing to get worse, it is time to vote for the person who wants to make things better (note I did not say easier) and not an establishment politician.

Should The Salisbury Zoo Begin Charging Admission?

It is a wonderful thing that I think many residents of our area do not appreciate fully, and that is that we have a zoo right here in Salisbury. We don't have to travel across the bay to see beautiful animals, and the fact that it is free is unbelievable.

The question must be raised as it has many many times in the past, should we begin charging a small admission fee to help our zoo become even better?. I personally feel the answer is yes, and as long as they stay reasonable I expect people would be willing to pay it to enjoy a family day at the zoo. With this influx of new funds imagine what a wonderful place they could really make our zoo.  Most people are generous and donate but I really think it is time for a small admission price.

Rick Pollitt Accomplishments

•Successful transition to a new County Executive form of government, defeating efforts to weaken the charter-mandated strong executive for a more powerful legislative branch


•Two consecutive improvements in the County’s annual bond rating, awarded by Wall Street, in testament of a record of sound financial performance and conservative financial management practices

•Successful proposal by the executive and adoption by the citizens of two new Charter Amendments providing much-needed support in the management of the county’s debt service by consolidating existing debt and extending the required time of repayment

•Securing of the final funding for the new James M. Bennett Senior High School - completed one year ahead of schedule for start of the fall 2010 school year

•Establishment of a strong and transparent Public Information Office whereby information is freely and quickly shared on a wide range of topics of interest to county citizens

•Creation of the County Executive’s Council of Economic Advisors and the Executive’s Debt Affordability Study Committee, two distinguished panels of community financial experts

•Expansion of the runway capacity at the Salisbury-Wicomico County Airport to accommodate jet traffic

•Establishment of the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress, a coalition of neighborhood representatives that share opportunities, identify problems and suggest solutions

•Designation by America’s Promise as one of the “100 Best Communities for Young People in the United States” three years in a row

•Establishment of the Wicomico County Prescription Drug Program resulting in over $141,000 in savings for Wicomico County residents

•Expansion of State of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s income limits, increasing eligibility for low interest, long term financial assistance for residents to help recover from the dry well crisis

•Remarkable progress in the administration and financial management of the county Housing Authority

•Successful negotiation of property in the west metro core for a future community park

•Successful negotiation of purchase of 5 acres of former Salisbury Mall parking lot for Civic Center use

•Promotion and adoption of State legislation to permit the establishment of micro-breweries in county enterprise zones

•Successful re-organization of the medical management responsibilities of the county’s Department of Corrections

•Appointment of a blue-ribbon Commission to study and develop a plan to fulfill the current and future mission/vision of the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center

•Establishment an Employee Incentive Program to encourage county workers to propose ways to cut costs and increase productivity

•Establishment of a secure and anonymous Employee Hotline for employees to report unethical or improper behavior

•Final funding for the construction and completion of the new MAC Senior Center on the grounds of the Holly Center

•Receipt of a waiver from the Maryland State Board of Education for the required Maintenance of Effort standard for public school funding, assuring continued funding of critical State support.

•Designation of the two county marinas at Cedar Hill and Nanticoke Harbor as examples of environmentally-responsible facilities

•Aggressive and definitive response to the theft scheme at the county landfill with the firing of all guilty parties and institution of tight new controls on financial management across the county system

•Progress in assuring that county boards and commissions reflect the face of the county by review of new appointments for diversity in race, gender and geographic location

•Establishment of the County Executive’s Council on Physical Fitness and Healthy Living

•Creation of new “bridges” to various constituencies such as farmers, fire-fighters, law enforcement officers, environmentalists, seniors and the business community in an effort to engage more citizens in the practice of government

•Appointment of a new county health officer, planning commission chair, director of the Department of Corrections and numerous members of county boards and commissions

•Establishment of a strong working relationship with our State and federal partners, especially with the Maryland Governor’s office and those of our State and national legislators

Davis Ruark Makes Statement on Facebook

"I've committed to running for State's Attorney. I believe in what we do and how we do it. If there are any who would like to volunteer in the campaign, please send a message to me, and we will start and work hard to win the election and continue to see that all are served equally well. Thank you all for being my friend and being there through both good and bad times! I am so grateful. Auth:George Whitehead,Treasurer."

Matt Maciarello To Stay In The Race

After a weekend of thinking it over and listening to advice from friends and families, Matt announced yesterday that he is staying in the race for Wicomico County State's Attorney. This is good news for the voters in Wicomico County as it allows the democratic process to go the limit. I had a conversation with Davis Ruark over the weekend about the whole thing, and his attitude was basically he is concentrating on doing his job and doesn't have time to worry about politics. If Matt's initial thought of dropping out of the race but changing his mind will hurt his chances, only time will tell but at least we have a challenger for the General election.

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Tax Differential Is Needed

Wicomico County continues to give its biggest municipality the shaft with it's refusal to reconsider the tax differential proposal.I actually am agreeing with Debbie Campbell on this one, as her and Gary hit the nail on the head about City residents being double taxed.

I gave an example last year and will do so again here. You own a house inside the Salisbury City limits worth 125,000. You are going to end up paying around 3,000 dollars property tax each year because of this double tax, where as a another example you own a 180,000 house in the County you will only pay around 1,500 dollars tax.

Where is my incentive to own property within the Salisbury City limits when I am going to be taxed to death and then with the current housing market, be stuck in a house I couldn't even sell?? Gary was right maybe it is time to take this to a litigation stage, as this lack of consideration for City residents is making more people look elsewhere for jobs and homes.