Mike Miller's Wish List
Maryland Gov.-elect Martin O'Malley (D) is getting no shortage of advice on whom to give coveted state jobs, and yesterday Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. became the latest to weigh in.
Miller (D-Calvert) said he was finishing up a letter that he would soon forward to the incoming chief executive, suggesting that he retain four high-level appointees of Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) who had distinguished themselves: Col. Thomas E. Hutchins, superintendent of state police; Aris Melissaratos, secretary of business and economic development; George W. Owings III, secretary of Veterans Affairs; and Van T. Mitchell, deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
All but Hutchins are Democrats.
Others whom Miller said would add value to an O'Malley administration include George F. Johnson, the outgoing Anne Arundel County sheriff who just lost the county executive race; and outgoing state Sen. Sandra B. Schrader, a Howard County Republican who just lost her reelection bid.
Another Republican on Miller's list: former state senator Martin G. Madden.
And there are also three people from Miller's home county who he said are worthy of administration posts: Earl "Buddy" Hance, president of the Maryland Farm Bureau; Hagner Mister, a former president of the Calvert County commissioners and former state secretary of agriculture; and Mark R. Frazier, former mayor of North Beach and former president of the Maryland Municipal League.
Miller stressed that he was merely making suggestions, not demands. He also had some advice for O'Malley as he assembles his Annapolis staff: reach out to people from all parts of the state and do not rely too heavily on younger aides. "He needs some people with some age on them, some wisdom," Miller said.
John Wagner
By Phyllis Jordan |
November 29, 2006; 6:35 AM ET
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General Assembly
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Posted by: Marylander | November 29, 2006 9:34 AM
This shows why Mike Miller has been a good leader in the MD state government. He will be missed. Can you imagine Frosh making these across-the-aisle recommendations, putting the good of the state ahead of partisan politics?
Posted by: k-romulus | November 29, 2006 12:17 PM
It is unfortunate that Senator Miller equates "wisdom" with age -- if anything age equates to maintenance of the status quo. What Maryland does not need right now is status quo.
Posted by: T Carney | November 29, 2006 3:32 PM
There is no one more "status quo" in Maryland than Miller, the longest serving Senate President in state history.
Posted by: Marylander | November 29, 2006 9:48 PM
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The thug is calling in some favors.