Strickrath chosen for safety post

By MARC KOVAC

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

Gov. Ted Strickland moved quickly Wednesday to choose a new Department of Public Safety director, a day after the Ohio Senate rejected his earlier choice.

The state’s top Democratic officeholder picked Tom Strickrath as his replacement for Cathy Collins-Taylor, pending Senate confirmation of the appointment.

Strickrath, 55, has been director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services since late 2004.

Before that, he did stints as assistant director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction and interim director of both the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Services and the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Strickrath holds a bachelor’s in business administration and a law degree from Ohio State University. He will earn $128,544 as director of the Department of Public Safety.

Collins-Taylor served as Department of Public Safety director for about eight months before her appointment was rejected, on a mostly party-line vote, by the Ohio Senate after contentious confirmation hearings last week.

Republicans hold the majority in the Senate.

An investigation by the state inspector-general’s office alleged that Collins- Taylor and other law-enforcement officials lied under oath in response to questions about a drug sting involving inmates who were working at the governor’s residence.

Collins-Taylor denied those allegations.

Strickland said Wednesday that he was saddened by the Senate’s rejection of Collins-Taylor, who he said was unfairly treated in a process with a predetermined outcome.

Strickland also announced Collins-Taylor would remain part of his administration, with an upcoming appointment to the state parole board.