A day after voters in New Castle County elected Tom Kovach (R) as County Council president, the man that Kovach is replacing, new County Executive Paul Clark (D), announced his picks for three top posts in his administration as he settles into the county’s highest office.
Marcus Henry is Clark’s nominee for general manager of the Department of Community Services. He comes from the Wilmington Housing Authority, where he was director of development since 2007.
Clark has picked Harry Hill to serve as general manager of the Department of Special Services. Hill is a former director of the state's Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, serving in that job from 2005 to 2009.
Richard O’Leary is Clark’s choice for Chief of Human Resources. He’s currently global director of human resources with Corning, Inc.
All three nominees must be confirmed by County Council.
“We wanted people who could come in and work around the table with other people, because many of our issues are multi-departmental,” said Clark. For instance, addressing the growing sewer system needs below the C&D Canal requires staff with experience in "land use, finance, special services—all working together to come up with a plan that’s more fiscally sound."
All three of Clark’s choices will earn less than their predecessors. The current salaries will be just under $107,000 a year, down from $123,000 to $130,000. Clark also expects his new managers to find additional ways to cut costs.
“I need them to look at the departments with fresh eyes from top to bottom and see where we can save money," Clark said. “We are running a structural deficit. We are a government that is not sustainable as it is now."
The new county executive expects to complete the transition process soon. He says there are still one or two department manager positions to fill.
“We’re getting there,” said Clark. His transition team will present its report on the state of the county and recommendations on how to deal with issues facing it. After evaluating the report and completing the hiring process, work can begin on Clark’s budget proposal, which is due to County Council at the end of March.
County Executive Paul Clark discusses challenges he has faced during his transition into office.
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Clark said he has reached out to Kovach, his successor as County Council president, and is ready to work with him despite their opposing party affiliations.
“I spend six years in that seat. I’ll offer any support I can,” said Clark. “I am not a partisan person."
Clark says he knows the challenges Tom Kovach will face as County Council president.
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Clark dismissed assertions that ethics questions surrounding the work of his wife, land-use attorney Pam Scott, helped Kovach defeat his Democratic opponent for council president, 9th District County Councilman Tim Sheldon, by 57 to 41 percent. Clark also does not believe Kovach’s victory—the first for a Republican in a countywide race since 1998—indicates there is widespread dissatisfaction with county government.
“The message that was sent was that not that many people voted,” Clark said. “To run a special election in January after a snowstorm to me was one of the saddest wastes of money that has happened. To spend over $400,000 to $450,000 when only 7 percent of the people come out, we have to look at that."
"The number of people that voted wouldn’t even add up to a good statistical survey,” Clark concluded.
