...“In addition, unlike the incumbent, I pledge not to collect any outside income other than my Council salary.”
Harris is referring to Hucker’s position at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy organization in Washington, D.C.
As a councilmember, Hucker made $120,825 in 2016, according to a county employee website. The council job is deemed a full-time position...
http://marylandreporter.com/2018/05/21/20-montgomery-candidates-approved-for-public-financing-system-four-hang-in-balance/
Remember the Montgomery County Council Retreat in 2016:
Riemer: "immediate impact on schedule" with evening public hearings... "limit number of nights I go out during the week..."
Hucker: "...we're all grownups and can make good decisions about our time..."
See the video of the Council's 2016 Retreat at this link:
Whoa.
ReplyDeleteI believe the precedence has been set by higher pay grade elected county officials.
DeleteAnd appointed. I believe Superintendent Smith, and I know that Superintendent Starr, have/had it in their contract that they can hold another job. Montgomery County Taxpayers are so generous!
DeleteOur poor starving intellectuals
DeleteWith their glowing credentials
Are forced into moonlighting
To earn the bare essentials.
This is a ridiculous non-issue in a time when real issues abound. Why does it matter if any of the Councilmembers hold outside employment? Because you just assume they are not doing their jobs?! Persons who hold elected office work CONSTANTLY, that includes weeknights, weekends, holidays, vacations, etc, if he/she is doing it well. I think it's telling of a persons' positive work ethic, to be perfectly honest. Used to be a time when working multiple jobs held some virtue by the fact that a person was considered to be hardworking. Those of you who criticize have no idea what a person's financial responsibilities may be or may not be. Elderly parents to care for? Young children to care for? College-bound children? College-aged children? Unexpected illness in a family? Retirement? Anyone else have expenses like this to plan for? Elected office is also term employment, by nature. I wouldn't begrudge someone from maintaining a position on a part time basis to ensure some livelihood. What, is he too employed??? Too productive? Too successful? Or do you all just assume it's greed. Shame on you all. Maybe you all have too much time on your hands and would benefit from getting a second job. . . or a first job for that matter. . . or volunteer more. Stop hating! Find something more productive and contributing to do with your time and stop wasting everyone else's on this absolute nonsense!
DeleteIn an election year this IS an issue. The public shows up at Council meetings and public hearings and they expect to have the full time and attention of their elected officials. They expect their public officials to have an interest and to listen to their concerns.
DeleteOur County Council has voted as a group to NOT ASK QUESTIONS of the public at public hearings. They don't want their hearings to last too long so they don't discuss anything with the public.
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2016/01/video-council-retreat-dont-ask.html
So yes, this is a very important issue when we have a County Council that doesn't have time for the public.
The same County Council - Hucker especially - removed the position of People's Counsel.
http://parentscoalitionmc.blogspot.com/2016/11/berliner-hucker-katz-want-to-eliminate.html