Incoming Executive Fires Officials, Including County's Top Administrator

Signaling his intention to set a new course at the highest levels of government, Montgomery County Executive-elect Isiah "Ike" Leggett fired the county's top administrator yesterday and asked at least 10 other department directors or deputies appointed by outgoing Executive Douglas M. Duncan to step down.

Sources from the Duncan administration said that most of the officials received letters or phone calls Monday and yesterday.

Leggett (D), who takes over from Duncan next week, told Chief Administrative Officer Bruce Romer of his plans yesterday, according to sources familiar with the conversation.

As Leggett prepares to take office, he has discretion to hire and fire 40 agency heads and some deputies. He and a close circle of advisers have conducted a series of interviews with Duncan's appointees.

After Duncan was elected in 1994, he abruptly fired more than half of the appointed officials.

Leggett would not discuss his plans yesterday, saying: "We're not in a position to make any announcement about it. We'll have an announcement in another day or so."

Romer also declined to comment. He has served by Duncan's side throughout his 12-year tenure. He is known as the low-key, behind-the-scenes balance to Duncan's high-profile public persona. Duncan first recruited Romer in 1998 from Davenport, Iowa, to serve as city manager in Rockville.

Council member Nancy Floreen (D-At Large) consoled Romer at a gathering of Duncan aides last night.

"Bruce has been a tremendous resource and a beacon of consistency," she said. But "it is Ike's right to put his own imprint on the county."

Leggett has also asked three of Duncan's four special assistants -- Jerry Pasternak, Saralee Todd and Deborah Goodwin -- to step down.

Among the other political appointees who received dismissal notifications were Health and Human Services Director Carolyn W. Colvin, her chief operating officer, Kenneth Rumsey, and the chief of behavioral health and crisis services, Daryl Plevy.

Staff writers Matthew Mosk and Miranda S. Spivack contributed to this report.