BY SANDY THEIS
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS — Lt. Gov.-elect Maureen O'Connor has decided to take the Cabinet-level post of director of the Department of Public Safety, according to those familiar with the Cabinet selection process.
Ms. O'Connor could not be reached for comment; Gov.-elect Bob Taft's transition office declined to comment.
During a previous interview, Ms. O'Connor expressed an interest in three possible jobs with the Taft administration, including Public Safety.
As director of Public Safety, she would oversee a staff of about 3,800 that includes the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Also under her jurisdiction would be the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, which regulates driver licenses and vehicle registrations, and the Emergency Management Agency, which coordinates the state's responses to disasters such as floods and snow emergencies.
Other than presiding over the State and Local Government Commission — and succeeding the governor in cases of death, resignation or impeachment — the lieutenant governor has no real duties.
Lieutenant governors have the option to serve in the Cabinet. Under current law, lieutenant governors who serve in the Cabinet can choose to take the Cabinet-director's salary, which tends to hover between $90,000 and $99,000 annually.
The salary for next year's lieutenant governor is $62,500. In her current job as Summit County prosecutor, Ms. O'Connor makes $93,024.
In other developments, Mr. Taft announced that his transition team has a new director.
Mark Gibson resigned as director to take a job with NSC Consulting, a lobbying and political consulting firm owned by Neil Clark.
Mr. Gibson, 50, is filling a vacancy left by former Cincinnati Business Committee Executive Director Scott Borgemenke, who left NSC Consulting two weeks ago to take a post with Mr. Taft.
Mr. Gibson called his new job “too good to pass up.” He said he thinks he has helped the transition team lay the foundation for the selection of outstanding Cabinet members.
Jon Allison, who had been the transition team's legal director, will succeed Mr. Gibson.
