Two gone in 'restructuring' victims of politics

     If you think the decision by the new board of commissioners to fire Carole Hammen, director of human resources, and Kathy Rauschenberg, county clerk, is a purely fiscal decision to keep their promise to restructure county government, here's a little background to consider.
     Hammen's ouster is illogical, in fiscal or operational terms. She worked with the 2002 board to improve the predictability and essential fairness of salary scales -- prior to that, some employees had received no raises in years, while others (perhaps with better political connections) had jumped up the salary ladder. She guided a team of staffers through development of a more efficient and less costly insurance program, and an improved and more businesslike pension plan. County salary expenditures are second lowest in the state, numbers  of employees was also at the bottom, and the cost per taxpayer was the envy of every other subdivison in Maryland: so, what's to improve?
     Rauschenberg was a clerk to former board president, Julia Gouge, before becoming county clerk. Hammen was a professional, but it was feared that both she and Rauschenberg were too close to the former board, especially Julia Gouge.
     That would not do, especially for the returning commissioner Robin Frazier. Frazier and Gouge simply did not get along very well when the two served together during Frazier's first term in office (1998-2002). Both are strong-willed, and Frazier wanted to run the board from her desk; still does in this new board, which is rankling at least two of her colleagues. She apparently has found a soul mate -- politically -- in Richard Rothschild. Frazier speaks little and keeps her head down, but she's known to be resolute and loyal to her base.
    When Gouge returned to office in 2002, she lobbied for the transfer of several employees out of the third-floor offices, knowing that those employees were close to Frazier. One of those employees will be transferred back, now that Frazier has won re-election. Such is the way of politics.
    But while Gouge was satisfied to transfer employees, Frazier and her new colleagues are firing those who they fear may not take the oath of political loyalty. Hammen was 17 months short of qualifying for retirement. Rauschenberg is eligible for full retirement.
    Other targeted employees opted for taking advantage of employment contracts that gave them cash settlements before the new commissioners took office. The newly elected board met shortly after the primary elections, assumed that in Carroll County there was no chance of any Democrat getting elected, and started making plans for changes. Steven Horn, planning director, read the handwriting on the wall and took the early out option. So did Neil Ridgely, who had served as zoning administrator; Vivian Laxton, who had been hired as public information officer; and Mike Evans, director of public works, another Gouge fan who was pushed out -- some might say harrassed -- by supporters of Frazier and former commissioner Donald Dell. Evans had been invited by all three commissioners, Julia Gouge, Perry Jones, and myself, to return about two years after the 2002 election. He had taken a higher paying job with Howard County, but was willing to put off retirement to help with the county's waste management plans for the future,  and to restore professionality to a public works department that had been micro-managed by direct involvement of Dell and Frazier for several years.
    It all sounds like musical chairs and political payoffs -- and some of it is just that. But only one member of the Dell-Frazier cabinet or support staff was let go in 2002. Jobs were filled in other departments for others.
    Under this new organization, which Doug Howard says is the end of changes, the very big job of running the parks and recreation program now falls under Jolene Sullivan, whose background is in what used to be called the department of social services, including public assistance, aid to families in need, and the like. Sullivan has been around a long time, has a reputation as a survivor through various changes at the top.
    If this new board satisfies the same base that elected Frazier twice operates like that old model, look for micro-managing from the commissioners, whether they know what they're doing or not.
    Strong leadership is one thing; but none of the current commissioners -- and none on the previous board -- had the professional expertise to run everything without good advice.  Just taking orders might save a job, but it does not serve the public well.