As 2006 came to a close, the political squabbles and spats that defined much of the year in Prince George’s County seemed to disappear.
At the December swearing-in ceremony for County Council members and County Executive Jack B. Johnson, U.S. Senator-elect Ben Cardin sat in the front of the Showplace Arena in Upper Marlboro, politely applauding for several black council members who, despite being fellow Democrats, endorsed Republican candidate Michael Steele in the November race.
Johnson, who clinched re-election after fending off a feisty challenge from Rushern Baker in the September primary, sought to mend fences with the county council.
“Despite opinions to the contrary, this administration and this council working together have achieved the results we needed to solve the challenges facing us — but sometimes we have great debate first,” Johnson said after being sworn in for a second term. “We have transformed this county into an economic powerhouse. We are going to continue to have great debates, but it only means we are working together. We are not done yet.”
Disagreements between Johnson and council members led to several initiatives being placed on the November ballot. County voters approved measures that require council approval to increase staffing beyond an agency’s authorized level, allow only the council to change revenue estimates, require certain government contracts to receive council approval and prohibit money from being transferred between agency budgets without the council’s OK.
Council Member Thomas Dernoga, who served as council president this year, also used his address to ask for cooperation.
“I challenge you to be the best county executive in the country, and I know you will be,” Dernoga said to Johnson during the council member’s inaugural address. “We know the best is yet to come for Prince George’s County.”
November also marked the first time county voters were able to elect members to the Prince George’s Board of Education since the Maryland Legislature dissolved the last elected board in 2002. The field was crowded as 18 candidates competed for nine seats. The board was sworn in earlier this month and has pledged to work with Superintendent John Deasy as he strives to improve student test scores.
“We are very supportive of what Dr. Deasy is trying to do,” said School Board President Owen Johnson.
