Oaths Resound Across The State

Leggett Pledges Balanced Growth

Isiah "Ike" Leggett was sworn in yesterday as Montgomery County's first new chief executive in 12 years, promising to be a bridge to the region's leaders, to end "gotcha politics" and to balance voters' desire to slow the pace of development with the need to keep the economy humming in Maryland's largest jurisdiction.

"I want to assure you that we have no intention of stopping progress. Properly planned growth is essential for our future," Leggett (D) said in a 25-minute address delivered before nearly 1,400 people at the Strathmore Music Center in Rockville.

It was inauguration day throughout the state as Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) was sworn in to a second term. New county executives took office in Howard, which welcomed the youngest county leader in Maryland in recent memory, and in Anne Arundel County, which elected a Republican maverick. New council members and commissioners were sworn in during ceremonies in St. Mary's as well.

Standing on stage in Montgomery's grand concert hall, Leggett used his speech to set a tone for his four-year tenure without listing policy initiatives. Some of the loudest applause came as he spoke of his intention to answer voters' "crystal-clear" desire to slow growth in the wake of revelations of lax planning oversight at the Clarksburg Town Center.

Voters "want proper procedures to fairly address their land-use concerns, but they want growth," he said. "And they certainly do not want any more Clarksburgs to happen ever again, but they want growth."

Last night, incoming council President Marilyn Praisner (D-Eastern County) confirmed that she plans to introduce today a bill that would establish a moratorium of about six months on many new large developments while the council revisits growth policies.

The outgoing executive, Douglas M. Duncan (D), who ran for governor rather than for reelection, watched with his arms crossed from a row of box seats with his wife, Barbara. He was recognized three times during the program with standing ovations.

In taking over yesterday, Leggett becomes Montgomery's first African American county executive. A Howard University law professor, former council member and former state Democratic Party chairman, he presented himself as a consensus builder who would end an era of name-calling and polarization.

"For too long, the shouters have dominated the conversation," Leggett said. "It's time for us to banish from our lexicon shorthand words and phrases such as 'greedy developers' and 'NIMBYs.' "

Leggett took the oath of office with nine County Council members, including four newcomers: Roger Berliner (D-Potomac-Bethesda), Marc Elrich (D-At Large), Valerie Ervin (D-Silver Spring) and Duchy Trachtenberg (D-At Large).

Outgoing council President George L. Leventhal (D-At-Large), who is expected to pass the leadership job to Marilyn Praisner pledged to work with Leggett. "We won't always agree with you, Ike. But we respect you, and we believe that we share with you a dedication to the public interest."

In Anne Arundel, John R. Leopold (R) -- who won the county executive race by less than 4,000 votes -- tried to eschew tradition by holding his inauguration with weekend festivities in the northern end of the county, where he lives. County law, however, crimped his nonconformist style. Because the county charter didn't allow him to officially take office until yesterday, he settled for a party up north Sunday and a swearing-in at the council chambers yesterday.