[Delauter] issued the threat in response to a Jan. 3 story about petty scuffling between council members and County Executive Jan Gardner over parking space assignments and office keys. Under the countys new governing charter, which went into effect last month, Gardner has broad administrative powers that previously belonged to the five elected county commissioners, one of whom was Delauter.
Rodgers reported that Delauter had joined Billy Shreve, another former commissioner elected to the new council, in challenging Gardners decision to reserve just three parking spots for the seven-member panel on days when there are no scheduled meetings. She also wrote that Delauter asked Gardner to give the council spaces designated for her government affairs liaison and chief administrative officer.
Delauter said in his Facebook post that Rodgers called about the parking issue but that he didnt return the message. I did not return her call and did not authorize any use of my name, he said.
Rodgers said she learned of Delauters involvement through e-mails she obtained.
Delauter did not challenge the accuracy of the story, but said that after a hit piece Rodgers wrote during the 2014 campaign hed told her never to contact him again. That story disclosed disputes between Delauter and county municipalities about work performed by his family-owned construction company. It said Delauter threatened the mayor of Thurmont with legal action.
Headlee said the newspaper would continue to cover Delauter as usual.
He is a member of the new County Council and were going to cover the meetings and quote him, Headlee said. Well ask for interviews and he can decline to comment.
