Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold has taken his cues from his extensive background as a legislator in two states.
But going from a career lawmaker to the leader of 750,000 people has given Leopold both new difficulties and opportunities.
“I was always curious what it would be like, and it?s so unique from having served as a legislator,” Leopold said. “It?s been challenging, but it enables me to do creative things.”
In his first year at the helm of the county, Leopold has pushed for changes ? from saving farmland to giving free colonoscopies to banning the dumping of coal fly ash. Many of his efforts were extensions from his days as a member of the House of Delegates. He was also a legislator in Hawaii during the 1970s.
Some of his more well-publicized efforts dealt with public nuisance issues, such as noise control and panhandling. Leopold said he subscribes to former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani?s philosophy.
“If there are broken windows, it can be an invitation to crime,” said Leopold, who happens to be the co-chairman of Giuliani?s Maryland campaign committee.
He rolled through the year with some notable accomplishments, but an issue surfaced late last year that raised questions about his ethics.
A fundraiser was held for Leopold by an owner of a private golf course, while at the same time the administration and the County Council moved on legislation that benefited that owner.
Reaction after the news came to light led some to believe Leopold was doing favors for developers.
Leopold maintains that the bill came along before the fundraiser, which came at the last minute, and that the entire issue was a “nonstory.”
“People can give me all the money they want, but I still do what I want to do,” Leopold said.
Leopold has also had a strained relationship with some County Council members and the school board ? he and Superintendent Kevin Maxwell struggled over the school system?s budget.
As Leopold heads into his second term, a number of critical issues lie before him. The county will perform its review of its master zoning plan, which will test his claims for limiting development.
Stream restoration, impact fees, school capacity, retirement funding and creating a budget during a lean year to meet everyone?s needs will all arise in the first six months of 2008.
“I treat each day as a precious resource,” Leopold said. “My goal for this year is to maximize the quality of life in this county.”
Opinions on Leopold?s year
“I don?t think, in this administration?s first year, we have seen a sufficient trend toward preserving the basic [environmental] system that supports our lives. Development seems to be favored over preservation. Despite some efforts, there is not a significant enough trend.”
– Anne Pearson, Crofton resident and director of the Alliance for Sustainable Communities
“I have mixed feelings. He?s certainly doing what he said he would do. But at the same time, he?s suffering big criticism for doing it year by year instead of looking at things in a four-year cycle. I think everything is done is right, but I don?t think it?s enough.” – David Tibbetts, president-elect of the Greater Odenton Improvement Association
“This year is a work in progress for him. His biggest challenge is going to be keeping the county from feeling the effects from the down trend of the economy, and how he?s going to make all of his priorities happen without a tax increase. ? He was able to resolve issues with [last year?s] budget without too much controversy.” – Dan Nataf, director of the Center for the Study of Local Issues at Anne Arundel Community College
What do you think of Leopold?s first year? E-mail your thoughts to [email protected].
