SALISBURY, MD - Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano has secured a legal win against the Wicomico County Council in a lengthy feud that began with a County Charter disagreement.
Giordano originally accused the Council of violating the county charter when they denied her two appointments to the positions of Assistant Director of Administration and the Acting Director of Public Works. When Giordano attempted to circumvent that denial and hired the two staff members, the Council froze funding to those two departments, ensuring the new hires would not be paid.
The question of whether Giordano could appoint the two finally found itself in Court as the feud escalated, with an ongoing public back-and-forth between the Executive and the Council.
On Thursday, November 16th, a Wicomico County Judge finally sided with Giordano, saying she did not violate the charter in appointing these positions.
“We are very happy and excited that the judge ruled in our favor,” Giordano told WBOC. “We had to trust the judicial process and we are so thankful for the outcome. We are grateful that this is behind us and look forward to having Mr. Leitzel return to work.”
John Cannon, President of the Wicomico County Council, said Thursday, “No comment at this time. We will be reviewing the decision and this will be on upcoming council agendas.”
It is unclear whether or not the County Council will appeal the Judge’s decision.
