Leopold Attends Council Swearing In

Though they come from different parts of the county, from different backgrounds, and from different parties, new members of the county council that were sworn in today in Annapolis said their vision for working together was really about unity.

"Cooperation and unity were characteristics of the last council. We were proud of the fact that we could reach across the aisles and get things done for the good of the county," said County Councilman Jamie Benoit, D-Crownsville. "I hope four years from now I can give the same speech."

It was a standing room only crowd in the council chambers this afternoon [Dec. 6] during the official swearing in ceremony, conducted by Clerk of the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County, Robert Duckworth. Dignitaries in the audience included members of the county Board of Education, Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, various state delegates and county government officials, Annapolis Mayor Josh Cohen, and Anne Arundel Community College President Martha Smith. John Leopold, who was sworn in for a second term earlier in the day at the Pasadena Senior Center, also attended.

But the most important members of the crowd to the council representatives appeared to be family members, who were all recognized and thanked by each councilman during their brief remarks during the ceremony.

New District 6 Councilman Chris Trumbauer, D-Annapolis, recognized his wife, and jokingly said that his infant daughter's sleeping was, "probably not the first or last time someone sleeps in these chambers." He also observed, "I recognize my district is very diverse with many natural resources. I will work hard to protect both."

Listening was on the mind of new District 5 councilman Dick Ladd, R-Annapolis, from the Broadneck area. "I have a fundamental belief that government has got to listen," said Ladd who admitted to being hit with a wealth of emotions during the day. "I pray that voters will see this as an opportunity to restore faith, integrity, and trust in the political system."

Annapolis residents Harry and Mimi Jones, a distant relative and longtime friend of Ladd, attended the ceremony to show their support for his new position.

"He quit his job and worked very hard for this moment," said Mimi Jones. "He will be great in this new job."

Providing the opening invocation, Reverend Herbert Watson of St. Mark's United Methodist Church of Hanover prayed that the new leaders would be filled with a new spirit and moral courage to take on the serious problems facing the county in these economic times.

"We pray that they operate beyond the lines of party-, special-, and self-interests and serve the interests of the people."