County Executive Rushern Baker plans to withdraw his choice for county attorney after it became clear the County Council would strike down the nomination.
Council members are frustrated with Baker’s nominee, M. Andree Green, who lacked the votes needed to clear the council’s appointment hearing on Tuesday.
Green will remain acting county attorney, and Baker plans to re-nominate her early next year, according to an official on the executive’s staff.
The council had grown frustrated by what some members described as Green’s disdain of the legislative branch of government. The county attorney is in a difficult position, charged with representing both the County Council and county executive in legal matters, Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner said.
Some of the council’s disagreement with Baker stems from the merits of a case involving Reaching Hearts International, a church that successfully sued the county for $3.7 million three years ago.
The case, now back in court, has been the source of at least some of the animosity between the council and the county attorney’s office. But Turner said the council’s frustration was the result of a pattern of actions.
“I wouldn’t tie it to one incident,” she said. “It’s a combination of things. The county attorney is probably the most unique position in all the cabinet positions the county executive has to appoint.”
Withdrawing her nomination could give Green more time to develop relationships with the council and their staff, and develop the skills needed to perform the job at a higher level, Turner said.
“This may allow her an opportunity to work on other projects to help develop relationships and show that she’s the right person for the job,” Turner said.
The last nominee denied by the County Council came under former County Executive Jack Johnson. On his way out of office, Johnson tried to appoint his deputy chief administrative officer, David Byrd, as chairman of the planning board.
