ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A flak jacket might have helped Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Robert Flanagan Thursday afternoon.
For the second time this week, he took sharp criticism from legislators concerning the Ehrlich administration's hiring and firing practices, WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported.
"The problem is, delegate, that there are all these myths, rumors, innuendos, half truths and partial information," Flanagan said.
Flanagan attempted to set the record straight on the hiring and firing practices at the Port of Baltimore.
But some lawmakers remained unconvinced.
"Mr. Flanagan is replacing seasoned and experienced personnel with political appointees who have not the slightest idea of the shipping industry," Montgomery County Delegate Peter Franchot, D-District 20, said during the hearing.
"This is an opinion of one person and is not the opinion of the company," Flanagan responded. "We feel very strongly that we put very, very good people in the positions that we put them in."
Among the people lawmakers considered as "questionable hires" is an aide to Gov. Bob Ehrlich: Greg Maddalone.
The former ice dancer is second in command as the port's legislative liaison, despite lacking maritime or legislative experience, Collins reported.
Maddalone had on display in his office a T-shirt from the NBC-TV show "The Apprentice" that read "You're Fired." That prompted some Democratic lawmakers to charge Maddalone's real job was to get rid of people based on their political affiliation, Collins reported.
Flanagan revealed that a philosophical clash existed between he and former port director James White, who resigned his position in February.
"We signed a contract with Mercedes-Benz, we had the contract negotiated. He (White) wanted to sign it with $200 pens and hand them out to each of the people who signed it. You know, the ink would be the same with less expensive pens," Flanagan said.
Flanagan put a stop to spending $376,000 in promotional items, such as golf and social club memberships and season tickets to sporting events.
"The Department of Transportation is meddling in the day-to-day operation" of the port, said Baltimore City Delegate Brian McHale, D-District 46.
"I believe a major reason Jim White ultimately resigned is because of the restrictions you placed on his ability to get out and travel," Franchot said to Flanagan during the House hearing.
"I did not interfere with his business. I did not interfere with his travel. I did not interfere with his approach to customers," Flanagan said.
Bills introduced in both the House and Senate this week would remove the Maryland Port Administration from the Department of Transportation, making it an independent agency.
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Video: David Collins Reports: Port Testimony Evolves Into Hiring Probe (Wednesday)
