WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. - A hiring dispute between the County Council and County Executive Julie Giordano continues to drag on. Now, a ruling handed down by a Wicomico Circuit Court judge is being called into question.
Last week, a judge sided with Giordano, ruling she had not violated the county charter when appointing two staff members. According to the county attorney, that judge apparently cited an outdated charter.
Giordano and the county agreed a mistake was made, but the impact that mistake has is up for debate.
The county's current charter states an appointment from the county executive must be made in a legislative session. The older version from 2006, which is what is believed to have been used in this case, does not.
For County Council President John Cannon, it is an oversight that led to an incorrect ruling.
"The decision that the judge made completely ignored the fact that there was this requirement for a legislative session to be held," said Cannon.
Giordano, however, views it in a different light.
"To us it's simply a clerical error, it doesn't change anything on the judges opinion," said Giordano.
This whole ordeal is over Giordano's appointment for the position of Assistant Director of Administration. Cannon said it was supposed to happen in a legislative session.
"We felt in talking to numerous attorneys that there was no question that if you read the charter as it states, that the submission has to be in a legislative session by the county executive and it clearly did not happen," said Cannon.
But, Giordano is standing firm that she cannot dictate what goes on the agenda.
"The county executive, in this role, I do not have the ability to set anything on the agenda," said Giordano. "That is the county president."
Cannon said she can.
"We've heard it before when the executive will make the comment that, you know, she's limited on what she can present to the council," said Cannon. "But it's really not true, if there's a request for something to be put on the agenda, it'll be put on the agenda."
The county council did file a motion last Friday, asking the circuit court judge to reconsider his decision. Cannon said he is hopeful after reviewing the current charter, it will happen.
Giordano believes the outcome will remain the same. She does want the process of making appointments to change and become more streamlined.
