Coldiron quits Homeland Security post
Ralph Coldiron
Ralph Coldiron resigned Tuesday from his political appointment at the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, shortly after the Herald-Leader asked him and Gov. Steve Beshear’s office about the way he received a controversial pay raise — which may have violated state law.
Beshear named Coldiron in November as executive director of the Office of 911 Coordinator and administrator for the Commercial Mobile Radio Services Board, which is attached to Homeland Security.
The CMRS Board advertised the job with a salary range of $60,000 to $80,000 a year, in line with what past directors were paid. But after Beshear gave the job to Coldiron — who was a friend and business partner of Beshear’s chief of staff, Adam Edelen — the governor immediately raised the pay to $100,000.
Under state law, only the CMRS Board can set the director’s salary. CMRS Board Chairman David Lucas on Tuesday confirmed the law and said that nobody on his board realized Coldiron was making $100,000 until they read it in the Herald-Leader in December. The governor’s office did not consult the CMRS Board, Lucas said.
After the Herald-Leader asked Coldiron and Beshear’s office about the law, Coldiron submitted his resignation, effective Jan. 30.
“As my employment in state government has become a distraction for this administration, I am resigning my position,” Coldiron wrote.
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Larry Wallace | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Politics in KY, is a merry go round.
Carl | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Larry writes that politics in KY, is a merry go round. My question? Was is so merry about it.
next? | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
When will Edelen submit his? He’s center of both of these stories (Babbage and Coldiron). Edelen is the one who received the email about more money and then, as head of homeland security, hired coldiron and got him 20 K more on the year than what was stated. Edelen needs to go too!
Rodney | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Surely you must be joking!!! The H-L is always telling us that its only the republicans that are corrupt. NOT!!! I am just wondering when the Gov will be back in Perry County with his arm around Haven King’ neck telling us all the lies he wants us to believe.
Rick | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
I had hopes for Beshear’s administration, but it looks like it’s just politics as usual in Kentucky.
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
So much for running a clean administration.
I agree Edelen needs to go…
retiree | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Now,now…What’s a hundred grand for a friend? Haven’t you heard? King David says that the budget crisis isn’t really all that bad as it seemed. Must be true-NOT!
PawPaw | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Best wishes to Mr. Coldiron with his next job:
Alex Trebek’s stunt double.
kprice64 | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
It’s a good first step toward the political housecleaning that is needed. A good second step would involve Edelen.
bigd | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Governor, what are you doing? Correct this mess imediately. You are letting the Democratic party down. Clean out these so called friends. Discipline Babbage as well.
postk49 | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Wow flashback to Wallace Wilkerson days, maybe we can just get a jail cell close by the capitol for our governors friends. Edelen and Babbage need to go.
inspector | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
What took so long?
Robert Mathers | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
The unfortunate result of this situation is that no one in their right mind will be willing to work in the public sector if they have any real world experience. Only those with no friends and no prior work experience need apply.
Thunder Storm | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Mr. Coldiron,
Thanks for falling on the sword for this mistake. You have done a good service for the Governor and the Democratic Party.
If Ernie Fletchers staff did the same thing, he might still be Governor.
Thanks again.
Adam Edelen, Your turn!.
daniel | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Adam must go or this administration is over and the 2009 session is a waste before it starts.
facts | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
it was Edelen who got Coldiron the raise…that’s who he emailed and said he needed money and then thanked after he got it. edelen was head of homeland security at the time. time for edelen to go!
Real Facts | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
The real fact is that Adam WAS NOT at homeland security when ralph was hired. Ralph was hired in November. Adam’s been chief since last spring.
A little perspective | Jan 13, 2009 | Reply
Coldiron got a raw deal here. He was nominated by the 911 board as one of three candidates for the board appointment and the gov selected him. I’m told by a member of that board that he was doing a great job.
Clay | Jan 14, 2009 | Reply
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, what is it?
grim reaper | Jan 14, 2009 | Reply
A hundred grand used to be a lot of money. Let’s face it, it is not anymore. Robert Mathers is right when he says: “The unfortunate result of this situation is that no one in their right mind will be willing to work in the public sector if they have any real world experience. Only those with no friends and no prior work experience need apply.” Let me add that any sane person would not agree to work in an environment where every decision is a potential scandal or the subject of investigation, especially when the private sector pays a lot better.
Of course, the shameful way that Gov. Fletcher was treated created this bad karma for Beshear, Stumbo, and Co. Reap what you have sown, boys! Unfortunately, it is the citizens of Kentucky that pay the real price.
Jim Anderson Stivers | Jan 14, 2009 | Reply
grim reaper,
Its called CHOICE. And CHOICE has always been a personal responsibility.
No one left dirty laundry from Fletcher Admin, except the major budget crisis we are experiencing. And that crisis was created not by Fletcher alone, he had a lot of help from PANDERING DEMOCRATS.
The Democrats and the GOOD OLD BOYS and the GOOD OLD GIRLS arrived in Frankfort with previous laundry they had not laundered yet. And, never will.
BopTrot!
Road constructor
Attorneys
Lobby
Tainted campaign funds.
“Unfortunately, it is the citizens of Kentucky that pay the real price.”
This sentence I can agree with!
HMMMM
Jim Anderson Stivers | Jan 14, 2009 | Reply
Perspective,
“”"”I’m told by a member of that board that he was doing a great job!”"”"”"”
Please, it does not take a huge amount of BRAIN POWER to spend the Federal Governments money, (our money) on Homeland Security.
Just look for the people that have the most influence for a sitting Governor.
Doing a ‘GREAT JOB” you must be on the state payroll in Homeland Security.
Jim Anderson Stivers | Jan 14, 2009 | Reply
Then the Governor\’s Chief of Staff was a Homeland Security Guy until he was promoted to Chief of Staff. Now he is the top guy.
Kinda like the old RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
What is the expression. ALL HAT AND NOT CATTLE.
America has been ripped off to considerable damage by the PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS of Homeland Security.
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