Acting Wicomico County Executive John Psota said he has spent his first weeks in his post working to stabilize county department head positions, fill senior vacancies and prepare for budgetary …
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Acting Wicomico County Executive John Psota said he has spent his first weeks in his post working to stabilize county department head positions, fill senior vacancies and prepare for budgetary challenges caused by the health pandemic.
In addressing the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce November General Membership Luncheon, Psota said he is working to unite a government that has sometimes been rife with internal divisions.
“I want to work to rebuild relationships, and run an open and responsive government that works for the citizens of Wicomico County,” Psota said.
In a reference to staff turnover, Psota mentioned that the county’s Finance Department leadership has been the subject of multiple challenges.
“We have our sixth, and hopefully last, Director of Finance,” Psota, announced, “offering stability to that important county function.”
In October, Psota named former Salisbury Finance Director Pam Oland to lead county financial matters. She had most recently overseen the financial operations of the county’s Recreation, Parks and Tourism Department.
In an address at Green Hill Country Club in Quantico, Psota spoke to an enthusiastic, socially distanced audience about first months as the Chief Executive Officer for Wicomico County.
He expressed his thanks to his predecessor, Bob Culver, who chose him as county Director of Administration, prior to Culver’s untimely passing earlier this year.
“I am grateful to Bob for his confidence in me when offering me the opportunity to serve the county as its Administrator,” Psota said.
Regarding the current Covid-19 pandemic, the executive stated: “The upcoming challenges we all face with this virus is the constant uncertainty it brings to businesses and the community at large.”
Psota praised Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development Director Dave Ryan for his office’s efforts in seamlessly dispensing federal CARES Act funds to Wicomico businesses.
“Dave Ryan’s model is the envy of Maryland and its jurisdictions. It’s a testament to how government can act swiftly and effectively in getting these much-needed funds distributed to struggling businesses,” Psota said.
He also commented on the continued progress under way at Salisbury-Wicomico County Regional Airport.
“The extension of municipal water to the airport should be complete next spring and the extension of the airport’s main runway is the next priority,” said Psota.
The Chamber’s next socially distanced General Membership Luncheon is set for Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.
The featured speaker will be Ashley Duckman, Senior VP for Government Affairs at the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
Duckman will set the scene for the upcoming 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session and what legislation could help or harm Maryland Businesses. Reserved tickets are available at salisburyarea.com.