Ronald Dillon Jr. enjoyed commanding the Anne Arundel County Council, but the position came with a price.
“You have the focus of the meeting, and I like being involved,” said Dillon, R-District 3. “But it takes much of your time … away from constituent services.”
Dillon was turning over the gavel and leadership of the County Council on Monday night, as Councilwoman Cathy Vitale, R-District 5, was expected to be sworn in as the new council chairwoman.
A new council chairperson is elected annually.
Now that he is no longer responsible for running meetings and guiding the council, Dillon says he looks forward to focusing more on his district?s needs.
“I should have some legislation coming out in the next two to three months that I?ve been holding in my back pocket when the time finally came available,” Dillon said.
Over the past year, the council faced several tough issues, from a moratorium on coal fly ash to a controversial zoning bill, tax credits and crafting a budget with a tax cap.
Dillon considered the budget the best and toughest task before him. After County Executive John R. Leopold slashed funding for nonprofits, Dillon and the council were able to restore some of the cuts.
Lately, the council has been holding long debates and postponing critical bills.
“We had a tendency to not rush things, such as the fly ash bill,” Dillon said. “We learned more about the issue rather than make a rash decision.”
Dillon has been working with Councilmen Josh Cohen, D-District 6, and Jamie Benoit, D-District 4, on the impervious-surface tax, which not has gained much support on the council.
Leopold has opposed the tax as well.
“Regardless of how it turns, I?m very proud of the bill,” Dillon said.
Despite their recent difference over the stormwater bill, Leopold said he enjoyed working with Dillon, who would introduce bills he drafted.
“Through his leadership, the council produced a significant number of improvements to the quality of life to county residents,” Leopold said.
