UPDATED with comments from Former Councilmember Craig Rice
Former Councilmember Craig Rice withdrew his name from consideration for a new county position as Special Projects Manager. The county council had been expected to approve his appointment at Tuesday’s meeting.
The position deals with bringing broadband and connectivity throughout the county. On March 28, he was the sole candidate interviewed by the council for the $175,000 a year job. He was chosen by Executive Marc Elrich for this newly created position.
Rice said he had heard too many behind the scenes comments and read too many social media posts that he was being given the job because he was a friend, and “I don’t want anybody to ever perceive that I got a position I don’t deserve.”
In a phone call with MCM, Rice said, “That’s just not right. It’s not fair.”
He thanked the support he received from councilmembers, but said he never wanted to put any of them in a position where they would have to defend hiring him.
“That’s just the world we live in,” Rice said. “There is a constant assault on people.” He added, “I have children. I have a family. They are on social media.”
In a tweet, Elrich wrote he was sorry, noting, “We were looking forward to the great things he would bring to this job.”
We are sorry to see Craig Rice withdraw from consideration for a special projects manager position. We were looking forward to the great things he would bring to this job. We appreciate his years of service to our community & wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. pic.twitter.com/LQyImcZPxQ
— County Exec Marc Elrich (@MontCoExec) April 11, 2023
https://t.co/zyommbedrH @mymcmedia @MoCoCouncilMD @RicePolitics
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) March 28, 2023
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