GOP Calls On Oliver To Repay County
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UPDATED (7:56 p.m.)—Councilman Ken Oliver should repay Baltimore County for his council salary and cost of related benefits during the nine months he held a state job in violation of a County Charter rule prohibiting such employment.
So says Steve Kolbe, chairman of the Baltimore County Republican Central Committee.
"This is a big deal and it's certainly where we as county Republicans stand for personal responsibility," Kolbe said. "We hope Councilman Oliver does the right thing."
The central committee approved a resolution Monday night calling on Oliver to repay the county during its meeting tonight.
The right thing, according to Kolbe, would be to repay the county more than $39,400—the equivalent of 38 weeks of his $54,000 council salary—as well as the cost of any benefits including the use of his county vehicle.
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The salary and benefits should be forfeited because Oliver was not permitted to hold the state job while serving as a councilman, Kolbe said.
Oliver was hired by the state Department of Business and Economic Development in February. He held the job for about nine months before resigning after Patch reported that he was employed in violation of the County Charter. The charter, however, does not provide any enforcement mechanism and does not require council members to repay money they earned holding such state jobs.
State officials said last month they didn't intend to ask Oliver to repay more than $45,500 in salary he earned as contract employee working as a financial specialist for the department.
Councilman John Olszewski Sr., a Dundalk Democrat, said at the same time he did not believe the council could require Oliver to repay the salary.
"I don't think anyone can do anything about this except the taxpayers of Baltimore County," Kolbe said. "They can go through the legal system to have the County Charter enforced."
Kolbe said he didn't know who would file such a lawsuit and said the Republican Party wouldn't have legal standing for such action.
"I don't have someone in my back pocket waiting to sue," Kolbe said. "At this point, I just want Councilman Oliver to do the right thing."
"What happens in the next few weeks could determine how we react," Kolbe said.
DL
9:16 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Didn't Jimmy Malone do the same thing for years? He worked as a fireman and was a Delegate. I didn't see anyone ask him to repay the state.
Bryan P. Sears
10:33 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
DL: There is no prohibition preventing county employees from being state legislators. The County Charter, written in 1956, specifically prohibits council members from working for the state during their terms. Several members of the council, including Oliver, attempted to change this in provision in 2008. Voters rejected the new charter language at the ballot box.
George Krach
10:34 am on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
What happen in the past, is in the past, but two wrong's don't make it right. I'am glad to see that someone is finally holding our elected official's feet to the fire and it's not business as usual anymore. I don't care if they're Democrat or Republican it's a violation of the County Charter and double dipping. Keep up the good work Bryan!
Joan Wood
2:26 pm on Tuesday, November 15, 2011
I agree with George..........if it's wrong, it's wrong. No matter what political party you belong to. Thank you Brian for all your hard work! BTW......isn't Jimmy Malone a Democrat?
Buzz Beeler
1:33 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
There are still more fish to fry!
George Krach
2:34 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
One fish at a time. You have to catch a lot of little fish before you catch that big one.
Buzz Beeler
3:01 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
George, this fish and it's a big one is on the -- hook, line and sinker. The head man knows exactly what I'm talking about. There are a ton of fish out there but there seems to be a lack of fishermen.
I'm still holding my breath.
George Krach
4:23 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Is this fish county wide or of the eastern species?
Robert Armstrong
3:07 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
The Guy just made a mistake. It's no big deal much less a major conspiracy.
George Krach
4:18 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Correction two mistakes, three and you should be out.
Buzz Beeler
3:18 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
This has nothing to do with Oliver. This fish goes by a different name. Unless you are familiar with the situation I would find another topic to babble on.
Robert Armstrong
3:20 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
You are the only one babbling on here Bunker. It's just more of your cryptic bullshit.
Robert Armstrong
3:22 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
See the title "GOP Calls On Oliver To Repay County"?? How can you say it has nothing to do with Oliver???
Did you hit the SeaHorse early today??
Dave Aughenbaugh
4:06 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
The Democrat Central Committee if they had any respect for the office at all should have called for it. He's sure enough given them plenty of reason to.
"Typically, We learn from our mistakes"...It's just Councilman Oliver must have lots to learn...as he's made quite a few in the past few years. He plead GUILTY to two charges of theft from a campaign account, he should have removed from his duties as a councilman, but got community service instead? Baffling!
Mr. Armstrong are you represented by this man? If you were would you support his staying in office?
Buzz Beeler
5:45 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Dave, Oliver is the next in line to be the chairman. You think there might be some politics going on here. They want Quirk in there as he is a liberal.
Beyond that there is a double standard going on and one of the big fishes in the pound has some questions to answer. I wonder what Oliver would do if he found out just how they are playing this game of ethics?
If it were me, I would call for an mediate inquiry and it would be from someone outside the realm of county politics. There seems to be a lot of that going on and not all of it involves politicians.
rayparkville
5:46 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
I guess the Republican Central Committee forgot to vote for Wayne Skinner to refund the four years of salary, and now nine years of County pension payments he has received after unlawfully serving as a Republican councilman while also working for the State.
George Krach
5:57 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
Let's not forget Vince Gardenia
Buzz Beeler
6:00 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
George this fish is the size of a whale and is making a lot of waves. This issue shows just how sad county politics has become. I've been holding my breath because I said I would, but even I have a limit a how much air I can hold.
It will come out one way or the other and we'll see just how the game is played. I bite my lip every time I think about it.
I would say that a great deal of what goes on out there never sees the light of day and it's not because the information is weak, it's just the games that are played. With the recent purge of command staff the flood gates of information will open up. You don't spend your life on a job one day and kicked out the next and fold up like a cheap suit.
As the saying goes -- "What goes around, comes around."
Robert Armstrong
6:16 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
More conspiracy theories from the usual suspect. This "guilt by insinuation" is pretty lame Bueller. Any buffoon can talk in innuendo and generalizations.
Brad Nicholson
10:51 am on Saturday, November 19, 2011
You asked and answered your own question with your comment with yourself being both, Sgt. William "Bill" Fontaine Delatour Dauterive.
Robert Armstrong
8:13 pm on Friday, November 18, 2011
The Sign Guy probably is unaware of Skinner and Gardenia. "Ready! Shoot! Aim!"
Buzz Beeler
1:30 am on Saturday, November 19, 2011
I was thinking of "hush, hush," from the great film of "L.A. Confidential." As I recall the film dealt with good vs evil and despite the trails and tribulations, the truth triumphed in the end, or as they say -- "The truth will set you free!"