EASTERN SHORE UNDERCOVER EDITORIAL: PRESERVING YOUR VOICE IN WICOMICO COUNTY

Wicomico County, MD - As November approaches, Wicomico County residents are preparing to cast their votes not only for the presidential election but also for a critical local issue-Question A. This ballot measure asks whether to keep the County Executive position, a role that has been pivotal in Wicomico County's governance.

The importance of this decision cannot be overstated, and understanding why it's essential to vote against Question A is crucial for protecting our community's voice and democratic process.

Understanding the Role of the County Executive

The County Executive is an elected official who heads the executive branch of Wicomico County's government. This position is designed to provide checks and balances to the County Council, ensuring that no single entity holds excessive or exclusive power.

This role includes overseeing county operations, implementing policies, and managing the county budget. The County Executive is in charge of hiring vacant positions and works closely with the County Council to ensure that county resources are used effectively and in line with community needs.

The Threat of Question A

Question A proposes abolishing the County Executive position and replacing it with a County Council form of government. This would eliminate an elected official accountable to Wicomico County residents and replace them with a County Administrator who is placed by politicians, or in this case, the Wicomico County Council.

This move could lead to a concentration of power in a few individuals' hands, ultimately silencing our community's voices. Many of you will recall that before the County Executive position was formed, the County Council took measures to raise local taxes upwards of over 20%, which drastically upset Wicomico County citizens.

An elected County Executive provides a direct line of accountability to the voters. Unlike appointed officials, the County Executive must answer to the public, making transparency a vital component of the role. This accountability helps prevent abuses of power and promotes trust in local government.

The County Executive serves as a vital check on the powers of the County Council. Without this position, there is a risk of the County Council having unchecked control over county operations and resources.This can lead to potential misuse or misallocation of funds, ultimately harming our community.

Having an independent, elected official as County Executive ensures that no single entity has too much power. As example, if there is no County Executive, how does any of the legislation placed by the County Council get questioned? There would be no way to veto any of their legislation if citizens disagree?

Eliminating the position of County Executive also eliminates a direct platform for community involvement and representation. The County Executive is responsible for managing constituent concerns and day-to-day operations.

The History of County Executives in Wicomico County

Since the inception of the County Executive position, Wicomico County has seen a series of executives who have worked diligently to serve the community. However, their efforts have often been met with resistance from the County Council.

Wicomico County has had four County Executives, including the current executive, Julie Giordano. Before County Executive Giordano, Wicomico County had John Psota from 2020 until 2022. Before Mr. Psota, we had Mr. Bob Culver from 2014 until he sadly passed away in 2020. The first County Executive was Mr Richard Pollitt.

Each of these leaders has faced challenges but has also made significant contributions to the county. Their leadership has improved various sectors, including education, public safety, and infrastructure.

A recurring issue has been the inability of the County Council to work effectively with the County Executive. This friction is not unique to any one executive but has been a persistent problem across different administrations. The Council's history of disagreements and power struggles with the executive office raises concerns about their motives behind Question A.

The Council's resistance to the County Executive's authority suggests a pattern of attempting to consolidate power. This history of conflicts indicates that the push to eliminate the executive position may be more about gaining control than improving governance. Now, it is more of a personal issue with the current County Executive, Julie Giordano.

The Significance of Question A

Question A on the Wicomico County ballot asks voters whether to keep the County Executive position. Understanding the implications of this measure is essential for making an informed decision.

Question A proposes the elimination of the County Executive position, effectively removing the current checks and balances. The County Council brought forward this measure after they lost several court hearings brought forward by the County Executive over decision-making by the Council and their constant inability to work with Executive Giordano.

Once again, this was not a result of public input. The county council made the decision 100% without any formal community input, with the exception of public comment and the opinions of those who dislike our current County Executive.  

The County Council is no stranger to making decisions without community input. Many of you will recall that in 2016, the Council attempted to push through nine changes to the county charter without public hearings or adequate community involvement. This history of bypassing public input undermines their current claims of having sought community feedback for Question A.

Eliminating the County Executive position would centralize power within the County Council, reducing the community's ability to influence local governance. Voting against Question A is crucial to maintaining a balanced government that represents the interests of Wicomico County residents.

The citizens of Wicomico County have already expressed their desire for a County Executive through previous votes. This decision ensured that the community had a strong voice in local governance.

Past elections have shown clear support for the County Executive position. Additionally, earlier this month, Eastern Shore Undercover posted a poll in which over 90% of the results (2,096 Total Votes) were in favor of having the County Executive position.

Many residents feel that eliminating the County Executive position would be a step backward. Keeping the position ensures that the community retains a voice in decisions that affect their daily lives.

Voting against Question A is not just about preserving a position; it's about protecting the democratic values that underpin our local government. Ensuring power is balanced and officials are accountable to the public is fundamental to our county's integrity.

Conclusion - Vote Against Question A

The decision to vote against Question A is critical for Wicomico County residents. Preserving the County Executive position ensures that the community retains a voice in local governance, maintains accountability, and safeguards democratic values.

By understanding the significance of this measure and taking action, residents can help shape the future of Wicomico County positively and meaningfully. Your vote matters-make it count by voting against Question A this November.