Politics & Government

Sen. Robey to Retire, Served as Howard County Executive and Police Chief

Robey said he would not seek re-election in 2014.

 

After 48 years of public service, including time as a police officer, police chief, county executive and state senator for Howard County, James Robey said he would be retiring from public service when his Senate term ends in 2014.

Robey, 72, represents District 13, which encompasses Elkridge, Savage and parts of east Columbia. He said of his retirement, "It's time. There was no specific event. My wife and I have been talking about it for the last year."

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"Forty-eight years in public service has been the best years of my life, but also the most draining," said Robey.

Robey, a Democrat, has a long history of service in the county. He joined the Howard County police force as an officer in 1966. He rose through the ranks during his time on the force and was named police chief in 1991, a position he held until 1998. That year, he made a successful run for Howard County Executive. He served two terms as county executive from 1998 to 2006.

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"Sen. Jim Robey is a solid public servant who does what he thinks is right on behalf of others," wrote County Executive Ken Ulman, on his Facebook page. "That's the legacy he'll leave behind."

In 2007, the county dedicated the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center in his honor. The facility is used to educate firefighters and police officers in the state.

That year he was elected the state senator for District 13, a position he'll vacate when his term ends in 2014.

He said throughout his career he didn't plot out his goals, or harbor thoughts for higher office, but kept being promoted, then elected after being urged on by others to run.

"As I've grown in age, so has the county," said Robey.

Robey said when he began as a police officer in 1966 the county's population was about 10 percent of what it is now. Over time, he said, more people moved to the county and demanded a higher quality of life.

As Howard County executive, Robey made the controversial move in 2003 to raise the income tax level in the county from 2.48 percent to 3.2 percent. The rate went from one of the lowest in the state, to the maximum allowed by law, according to news reports from the time.

At the time the county was facing an income tax bubble caused by the internet bubble of the early 2000s, according to Budget Administrator Ray Wacks, who served under Robey as well.

Wacks said the decision Robey faced was either to raise taxes or drastically cut services. 

"I really respect Mr. Robey for his strength and his willingness to understand that if we were going to have the county we wanted, we were going to have to make a difficult political move and raise taxes," said Wacks.

"The tax issue was one of the most difficult," said Robey. "I think time has proven it was the right thing to do."

Robey cited Howard County's current status as one of the best places to live, according to Money magazine, its high ranking public schools, and a strong public safety system as evidence of how the county has excelled since raising taxes.

During his time as county executive, Robey spent heavily on public education, according to an Explore Howard report. He built eight new schools and budgeted funds for the renovation of others, according to the report.

"Jim Robey is a fabulous public servant," said Howard County Councilman Calvin Ball, whose Council district is in District 13. "He has helped to shape and mold Howard County into the great place that we have today."

Robey also had a major impact during his time on the Howard County Police Department, according to Police Chief William McMahon.

"Many of the things he helped implement are still an integral part of our agency," McMahon said in an email. "He was one of the original SWAT team members and made community policing a top priority. He also started the Citizens’ Advisory Council, the Police Foundation and the Citizens’ Police Academy. His impact is still felt today and will continue to affect the future of the police department.”

When asked about what he thinks his legacy will be, Robey said, "Some will say he raised taxes, some will say he raised school funding, some will say it's one of the best police departments around... I say look at the big picture."

When he officially retires in 2014, Robey said he plans to volunteer and spend time with his kids, grandkids and wife.

He said he hasn't thought about supporting someone new for his District 13 Senate seat, but has talked to a few people who are interested.

"It's too early," said Robey.


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