Leaders Promise to Get Along

Departing County Council member Thomas R. Hendershot got a few things off his chest Tuesday. (By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)

It has been a week of transition for county government, as a few newcomers took office, and many more incumbents patted themselves on the back for getting reelected.

On Monday morning, County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) and the nine members of the County Council took the oath of office before an audience of several hundred at Upper Marlboro's Show Place Arena. Johnson, the county's sixth executive, and seven of nine council members were incumbents taking the oath for the second time.

Newcomers Ingrid M. Turner (D-Bowie), a former Navy judge advocate general, and Sierra Club official Eric C. Olson (D-College Park) were sworn in for their first terms.

The joint swearing-in was notable for a council and an executive who have tussled over the past four years. In their speeches, Johnson and council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Laurel) promised to cooperate to tackle the county's problems over the next four years.

Dernoga said the council and Johnson have reason to be proud of the past four years, but he also suggested that both could do a better job -- and suggested that citizens could do a better job of demanding so. "The citizens of this county should demand better from us, and I challenge my colleagues on the council to join me in this next four years to give the citizens the best legislative body in the state of Maryland," Dernoga said.

Turning to Johnson, Dernoga said, "You have served this county well, and you can point to numerous areas of success, but we have faith you can do even better. The citizens of this county should demand better from you, and I challenge you to be the best County Executive in the state of Maryland."

For his part, Johnson did not deny that he and the council have not always agreed. But he said the disputes have been part of "constructive debate."

"Constructive debate should not be seen as divisive because clashes of ideas are the very process of democracy," he said.

On Monday night, the council and Johnson came together again to celebrate their elections in style at a black-tie ball at the arena. Guests, who paid $100 each to attend, were greeted by entertainers who wore red, white and blue costumes and reached down from stilts to shake hands. Nearby, a wigged woman in tights struck acrobatic poses on a small platform.

Onstage, two live acts performed and WUSA Channel 9 executive J.C. Hayward served as mistress of ceremonies. Part of the live entertainment was the Temptations Review, a singing group featuring Dennis Edwards, the last living member of the original Temptations.

In an ebullient mood, Johnson greeted guests from the stage, telling his supporters that they would "have a great four years together," before instructing them to "take your shoes off, and get ready to party!"

On Tuesday, it was time for a change in the council leadership. Camille A. Exum (D-Seat Pleasant) was elected the body's new chairman by her colleagues, replacing Dernoga; David Harrington (D-Cheverly) was elected vice chairman.