County Executive David Craig?s order to make the county?s only deputy chief of staff responsible for agricultural affairs passed the County Council this week.
Though an executive order established the Division of Agricultural Affairs without a vote from the council members, they did so anyway to symbolize their approval. All council members voted in favor, except for Councilman Dion Guthrie, who abstained.
He said the title “deputy chief of staff,” without “of agriculture” tacked on, meant the person could be busy with issues unrelated to agriculture.
“I am almost sure he will be doing more than agriculture,” Guthrie said.
The last council did not fund the position because it felt the job title and description were not spelled out clearly enough. Guthrie was particularly put off when Craig?s chief of staff, Aaron Tomarchio, told those at an Edgewood City Council meeting that the County Council voted down a deputy chief of staff of Edgewood, which Tomarchio said was Craig?s second option for the position at the time.
But the current council approved the funding for the deputy chief of staff position last week, feeling the job finally had been clarified to their satisfaction.
Tomarchio said a job description is more important than a title. The executive order contains duties for the position, and he said the person would not be working in any other areas.
Councilman Chad Shrodes, who represents North Harford, where the bulk of the county?s farms are located, said it was a start, which can be tweaked and improved if need be.
“The minute I start getting e-mails or phone calls that say he?s doing too many other things, then I?m going to know about it,” he said. “I see myself as sort of a watchdog.”
Shrodes, who has a background in land preservation, said the developing county needs to maintain the agriculture that makes it unique.
