Some Members Object to Classifying Council Positions as Full-Time Jobs
Thursday, July 13, 2006; Page GZ02
County Council members debated this week whether their $79,721-a-year jobs should be redefined as full time, since many typically spend a lot more than 40 hours a week working on county business.
The discussion centered on a recommendation from the commission reviewing the county's charter for potential changes. If approved by the council on July 25, voters would be asked to decide whether to classify the positions as full time.
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The change would not prevent council members from holding additional jobs, as is the case with the county executive. But it would serve as guidance in setting future salaries.
Michael L. Subin (D-At Large) opposed the amendment, saying it was essentially an excuse to give council members a raise.
"The pressure would be there sooner than later to increase the salary," Subin said.
Council member Nancy Floreen (D-At Large) echoed that sentiment, saying, "It's about the money."
Supporters of the measure, including council President George L. Leventhal (D-At Large), said the recommendation merely recognizes the reality of the job and leaves it to voters to decide.
"It's not in any way a Trojan horse," he said, responding to Subin's critique.
Four of the nine council members -- Subin, Howard A. Denis (R-Potomac-Bethesda), Michael Knapp (D-Upcounty) and Tom Perez (D-Silver Spring) -- hold jobs outside county government.
Duncan Drops By
County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D) is still officially on leave, after announcing last month that he was withdrawing from the Maryland governor's race and seeking treatment for clinical depression.
Late last week, though, Duncan began dropping in on his second-floor suite of offices in Rockville to sign papers and get updates from Bruce Romer , the county's chief administrative officer.
"He's coming in from time to time, but he didn't commit beyond that," spokesman David Weaver said. Weaver himself officially returned to the county government building Monday after an extended leave to work on Duncan's campaign.
