Who is Lyn Mallick? Carroll Commissioners Argue Over her Termination

Carroll County Commissioners Doug Howard and Robin Frazier butted heads in open session Thursday over the termination of a part-time county employee's contract.

Lyn Mallick was hired on Jan. 8 as a "paraprofessional" at $27.50 per hour. She reported directly to Frazier and her job description read: 

Conduct research and analysis for a County Commissioner on issues, projects, and proposals as related to Carroll County.  Perform a variety of project management, administrative, public relations and constituency services and represent County Commissioner as directed.

Frazier started Thursday's open session commissioner meeting saying that she was shocked that Mallick was recently terminated. She said Mallick conducted important research and helped Frazier stay up to date on issues. Mallick's contract was terminated July 18. 

"She can accomplish in 20 hours what some people can't do in 40," Frazier said. 

Frazier accused Howard of the "political firing" and then said three commissioners - Commissioners Howard, Shoemaker and Roush -- have repeatedly "bullied" her. 

"This is not the first time the three commissioner have abused their authority to get me to shut up or back down," Frazier said. "[Howard's] action is over the top in trying to suppress the minority opinion, it's an abuse of power."

Frazier went on to warn citizens, suggesting that Mallick's termination should raise a red flag.

"If they abuse power to rule over me, make no mistake they will abuse their power to rule over you," Frazier said. "Your bullying tactics won't work with me, I won't shut up and I will simply work even harder." 

When Frazier was finished, a seemingly stunned Howard attempted to respond but was interrupted by Frazier who said her comments warranted a bigger discussion that should be put on a future agenda for discussion. 

In a statement released later in the day, Howard said "The comments that [Frazier] made were inappropriate and the accusations were ridiculous. The issue raised ... is a personnel matter and as such, public discussion is inappropriate."

Howard went on to say that he alone did not terminate Malick and that the decision to terminate was not based on politics. 

"The decision to terminate this contract was made by a majority of the Board and I, in fact, was the last of the three signatures," Howard said. "Most importantly, I do not make personnel decisions based on politics. I make them based on performance and the best interest of the county."

Frazier said she intends to pursue the reconsideration of Mallick's contract. In addition, she said there are other policies she wants to discuss that have not been followed or that have been selectively enforced on some and not others. 

Want to watch the Thursday's meeting? Click here to access Carroll County government's video archive. 

What do you think of Frazier's accusations against Howard and the other commissioners? Tell us in comments.