'Glutton for Punishment' Set to Run

There has been much speculation about who might run for the top job in Prince George's County next year: former delegate Rushern L. Baker III, State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey and state Sen. C. Anthony Muse, all Democrats, always seem to cross most people's lips.

Less chatter has been made about the top law enforcement position. But last week, Mark K. Spencer, inspector general for Prince George's police, offered a clue about his intentions.

Just before Spencer sat down for lunch last week at Franklin's in Hyattsville, he was asked whether he plans to run for public office next year.

"Probably state's attorney again," he said. "What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment."

Spencer, a former deputy state's attorney, lost to Ivey in 2003. After the campaign, he was hired as counsel to Patrick Murphy, the former New York police commissioner whom County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) hired to evaluate the county police force. Later, Spencer got the inspector general job.

County's First Couple To Party Like Obamas

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson joked last week that he and his wife, Leslie, were planning to attend so many balls and parties in the county Tuesday night that he might emerge with a new nickname.

"I'm going to be Jack Obama in Prince George's on inauguration night," he said.

Seventeen balls and parties were scheduled for Tuesday night in the county, Johnson said, and he and his wife planned to appear at as many as they could.

Johnson Shows Off His Scholarly Side

County Executive Jack B. Johnson made his way through the bustling hallways of Parkdale High School one recent Wednesday morning, followed by a retinue of aides, cameras and reporters. He appeared to be some kind of celebrity, albeit one the students didn't recognize.

The teenagers giggled, pointed and whispered. One boy blurted to a friend, "Who's that?"

"I'm the county executive," Johnson told him.

Johnson entered Peter Herz's government class, where seven students awaited him, standing away from their seats, with a mix of curiosity and fear at the adult strangers.