Hendershot Hired in Prince George's
Former Prince George's County Councilman Thomas R. Hendershot (D-New Carrolton) is back.
Hendershot, who was forced from the council by term limits last year, has been hired by the Prince George's County Fire Department as an Administrative Assistant I/II, reviewing cases with the Office of Fire Investigations and
Prevention.
Just before Hendershot left elected office, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) said publicly that he had told the councilman that he would try to help him find a county job. Johnson said he had asked his special assistant to provide him a list of available positions. "If I find something that fits for him, I will consider him," Johnson said.
At the time, those statements raised the eyebrows of some who believed Johnson was motivated by a desire to pay Hendershot back for being a reliable supporter on a sometimes hostile council. Also, Johnson made those comments not long after the publication of a Washington Post story that revealed Hendershot had charged more than $61,000 to his county credit card since 2002, including $15,000 for food and lodging while attending conferences in Ocean City. He also charged hundreds of dollars in airport parking while he was on trips that were not county-related. He said it was appropriate because he was "parking the county vehicle."
Johnson spokesman John Erzen would not directly answer whether the executive played a role in Hendershot's hiring by the fire department. He released a statement, instead, that read: "The county executive and residents of Prince George's County are delighted to have someone with his experience and knowledge remain an asset of county government."
Hendershot declined to comment and referred questions about his new job to the fire department.
According to department spokesman Mark Brady, Hendershot's position is considered temporary/part-time. He will be paid $45.5759 an hour, but, as a part-timer, is limited to 1,000 hours in any 12 month period. (For those you not so good at moving the decimal, that's up to $45,575.90 a year.) He is not eligible for bonuses or benefits.
"We are extremely fortunate to have an individual as Mr. Hendershot with his extensive background and familiarity with Prince George's County working for our Department," Brady wrote in an email.
He also indicated the department is "delighted and honored to have Mr. Hendershot on-board" and wrote that his "background and work experience will enhance the projects that he will be involved in including case reviews and legislative matters."
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December 14, 2007; 7:10 AM ET
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Rosalind Helderman
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Posted by: Robin Ficker Broker Robin Realty | December 14, 2007 9:26 AM
Once a member of the F.o.J. Fraternity, always an FoJ.
It pays to be a Friend of Jack.
Hey Tom, just so you know, fire is the hot thing sometimes caused by striking a match.
Posted by: PG'er | December 14, 2007 11:14 AM
$45/hour as an admin assistant?
Posted by: RL | December 14, 2007 6:49 PM
What else is new in that hell hole known as PG County.
Posted by: quavaduff | December 14, 2007 10:13 PM
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Did he pay the credit card money back?