Members of the Harford County Council weighed in Monday regarding a dispute between one of their colleagues and the Harford County Sheriff?s Office spokesman that led to the council member calling for the spokesman?s resignation ? and calling for the sheriff tofire him if he didn?t resign. So far, spokesman Bob Thomas has not resigned.
Sheriff R. Thomas Golding said he was concerned about the comments when he first heard about them, but after speaking with several people, he learned Thomas did not specifically call Councilman Dion Guthrie a liar. He said Guthrie has open-door access to the sheriff but has not contacted him about the issue.
“I think things could have been said in a manner that could have been … less caustic,” said Council Member Richard Slutsky, R-District E, of Thomas? comments.
The confrontation occurred when Guthrie and Thomas were both interviewed by WBAL (Channel 11) last week about crime in Edgewood.
Guthrie told WBAL that the Harford County Sheriff?s Office had been budgeted to receive 40 new deputy positions and he did not understand why some of those deputies could not be assigned to Edgewood.
Thomas said he told WBAL that those figures were a “lie.”
“I think it is pretty audacious for him to call for my resignation when he can?t get his numbers right. He shouldn?t be in office,” Thomas told The Examiner after Guthrie called for his resignation.
“I will not be threatened or intimidated, and if necessary, I will bring legal action to bear against the County Council,” Thomas said.
“I was a little surprised by Mr. Thomas? comments,” said Council Member Lance Miller, R-District D. “I disagree with Mr. Guthrie all of the time. That?s not to say that I think he shouldn?t be serving the people.”
Miller also said Thomas? remarks about taking legal action may have been inappropriate.
