By Wayne Gates
Brown County Recorder Amy DeClaire answered questions from the Brown County Republican Party on Nov. 19 about her recent employment in Clermont County.
DeClaire was employed for 56 days as a budget analyst from Sept. 19 until the Clermont County Commissioners voted to terminate her employment on Nov. 14.
Following media reports of DeClaire’s employment, members of the Brown County Republican Party Central Committee requested a special meeting to discuss the issue.
The meeting began with a request by members of the committee to go into executive session to discuss the issue. DeClaire requested that the meeting remain open, but the committee denied her request, beginning the discussion of the issue in executive session.
When the public portion of the meeting resumed, DeClaire was given the opportunity to address the committee.
“I am here with the understanding that there is a concern about something you want to talk to me about and I am here to answer your questions,” DeClaire began.
When asked why she did not resign immediately after taking the new job in Clermont County, DeClaire replied, “I wanted to fulfill my duties and make sure that there was not an interruption of service for those who use the office.”
When asked if she told anyone in the party that she was leaving, she said “I did not tell anybody in the party about taking that job. I told my staff, I told those who hired me. I was waiting to tell the party and had no intentions of staying in my role as Recorder longer than my 120 day probationary period (in Clermont County).”
She continued, “I was concerned about my employees. They have been loyal, they have been very good to me and I did not want to leave them hanging. I wanted to make sure that they knew when I left the office that they would be taken care of.”
A tense exchange then took place between DeClaire and Central Committee Member Nick Owens.
Owens: “How many hours a week do you work in the Recorder’s office?”
DeClaire: “Statutorily, I am required to work once every 90 days. I fulfill that. I am also there and I am always on call. My phone number is available and has been in the paper for people to call me. I have had three children since I have been in office, which is a blessing because I was told I could never have children. Those times that I have been off for that have been federally protected.”
Owens: “Do you work full time?”
DeClaire: “I am a full time recorder.”
Owens: “I don’t think you answered the question. How many hours a week do you work?”
DeClaire: “Nick, I’m not getting into it with you.”
She was then asked by another committee member “Given that you were going to take another job, what is your commitment to the Recorder’s Office now?”
DeClaire replied “My commitment is that it’s my job now and I’m there. I can commit that I am the Recorder and I’ve always taken it seriously. Part of the reason I didn’t resign right away is because I do take it seriously.”
Following DeClaire’s statement to the committee, the group briefly went into executive session to hear from Clermont County Commissioner David Painter.
When the public portion of the meeting resumed, the following resolution was made by committee member Denny Kiley.
“We have met as the Brown County Republican Party and discussed this issue with the Brown County Recorder. We are confident that this issue has been resolved. Amy Jo DeClaire will continue to serve as our recorder.”
The resolution was approved by voice vote with no audible dissenting votes.
Following the meeting, Owens provided the following statement on DeClaire’s working hours at the Recorder’s Office to The Brown County Press.
“Taxpayers deserve elected officials that truly work full-time for full-time pay. Politicians who show up to the office only every 90 days as required by Ohio law are cheating the taxpayers morally and ethically. To receive their paychecks elected officials should show up to work every day just like their employees are required to do so. It’s long overdue for the Ohio Legislature to change this outdated law so that it properly reflects modern day work expectations.”
DeClaire had not returned phone calls seeking additional comment at press time.