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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > May > 26 > Entry
Strickland names new public safety director - updated with Senate President Harris reaction
Moving quickly, Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday, May 26, named Tom Stickrath, 55, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, effective immediately.
Stickrath replaces Cathy Collins-Taylor whose appointment was rejected by the Ohio Senate, 18-15, on Tuesday. Stickrath had been director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services.
The Senate rejected Collins-Taylor’s appointment in the wake of her role in a controversy surrounding a canceled contraband sting operation at the governor’s residence in suburban Columbus
Stickrath’s salary is $128,544, the governor’s office said in a press release. His appointment also will require Senate confirmation.
Current DYS Deputy Director for the Division of Facility Programs and Operations, Christine Money, will serve as interim director of the Department of Youth Services until the governor appoints a director, a press release said.
“I know that Tom’s thoughtful leadership, personal integrity and deep commitment to public safety will ensure the department continues its important mission to protect the safety and security of Ohioans,” Strickland said in the release.
Strickland picked a director who is widely-known around the Statehouse. Stickrath has served as youth services director since December 2004.
Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, who voted against Collins-Taylor, said that he always has worked well with Stickrath, Maggie Ostrowski, Harris’ spokeswoman, said in an email.
Before taking over at DYS, Stickrath was assistant director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC).
Also, Stickrath served as interim director of the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Services in 1991 and 1998, and as the interim director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety in 2002, the release said.
Stickrath also served as a regional director, warden and chief inspector for the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the release added.
The release said that as DYS director Stickrath “instituted an aggressive agenda of reform that improved all aspects of the agency including facility operations, assessments of when youths were ready to be released, and consistency in parole decisions.”
Stickrath received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ohio State University in 1976 and a law degree from Ohio State University in 1979, said the release.
“I’ve spent a lengthy career in state government working to protect the public safety of Ohioans. I’m looking forward to using the knowledge I’ve gained over the years to meet the challenges and opportunities at the Ohio Department of Public Safety,” Stickrath said in the release.
“As director, I’ll work to further the critical mission of the department to keep Ohioans and their communities safe and secure.”
Stickrath resides in Westerville; he and his wife have two children, the release said.
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By political budget
May 27, 2010 12:56 PM | Link to this
Plus:$18,444.00 guaranteed retirement =$147,388. Plus:No Social Security =$154,736.00. Days off 1st day on job = 37 And you think teachers, policeman, fireman, professors, and RTA are suffering with Guaranteed salary increases in this economy?
By The D.O.C.
May 26, 2010 4:05 PM | Link to this
I’m just waiting for Turn-around-Ted to start blaming Taft for all the state’s problems - the same way Barry blames Bush for everything. Oh, and for Karon, passenger rail for all
By greg
May 26, 2010 2:19 PM | Link to this
Governor Stricknine is the poison Ohio will get rid of soon. Bye!Bye!
By Come On Teddymeister
May 26, 2010 12:00 PM | Link to this
Gee Teddy, money is tight in the old Ohio budget isn’t it? Would have been an ideal time to save $128 grand with some bennies costs and to have divided up the Safety Director’s job duties into two or three existing director positions wouldn’t it? Sounds like these directors of yours play musical chairs like the school superintendents do in Ohio. Is that the game plan….just recycle the same old junk? So Stickraft is going to protect us all is he? He says it’s a critical mission of his department. How dramatic with a hint of horsemanure added in.
By The Education Governor
May 26, 2010 10:54 AM | Link to this
Governor Strickland: How’s the solution for school funding coming along? Do you have a solution yet? I know you’ve only been in office 3.5 years…but I was just wondering.
By Just Wondering
May 26, 2010 10:45 AM | Link to this
So, what’s the status of Collins-Taylor? Is she still collecting a fat pay check at the expense of Ohio tax payers??