Gov. Strickland names replacement to rejected safety director

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland has named a veteran corrections official as his new public safety director, less than a day after the Ohio Senate failed to confirm his previous choice.

Cathy Collins-Taylor was rejected after questions about her role in a canceled sting at the governor’s residence.

Strickland said in a statement today that Tom Stickrath will move immediately from leading the Department of Youth Services to heading the Department of Public Safety.

The 55-year-old Stickrath previously served as a deputy director of the state prisons department and in interim positions leading the public safety department and the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Services.

In his new role he will be paid $128,544 a year.