Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier followed the law in seeking the most qualified independent inspector general for Baltimore County (“Baltimore County executive nominates new inspector general, rejects Madigan,” July 24).
The key word is “independent.” Independent means not beholden to anyone politically or otherwise. Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan became beholden when Baltimore County Council members, a Baltimore inspector general and a national organization of inspector generals publicly pressured the appointing authority to hire her.
Council members should have let the process continue without interference or public comment. Madigan should have remained silent, let her credentials speak for themselves and stayed out of the political fray. Thus, she could have remained independent and not beholden to any person or group.
The Baltimore County executive pursued a national search process. The selection team considered 23 applicants and selected a final three to proceed with Madigan as one of those three. Klausmeier then selected Khadija Walker, a former federal auditor. This was the person she felt was the most independent, best qualified and has the credentials to serve the citizens of Baltimore County as their next independent IG. I hope members of the Baltimore County Council agree.
— John E. Gavrilis, Nottingham
The writer is a retired Maryland Transit Administration police chief.
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