Clerk of the Circuit Court Sharon Hancock administers the oath of office to Charles County Commissioners’ President Peter Murphy.
La Plata, MD – With the meeting room decorated in holiday poinsettias, the new board of Charles County commissioners was sworn in Tuesday, Dec. 2 at the Charles County Government Building in La Plata.
Newcomers Peter Murphy and Amanda Stewart joined incumbents Debra Davis, Ken Robinson and Bobby Rucci on the board, each sworn in by Clerk of the Circuit Court Sharon Hancock, who was herself sworn in by Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier prior to the ceremony.
“This is a really meaningful evening,” said newly sworn-in President Murphy. “I stand before you here tonight because I love Charles County. Each and every one of you matter. Your quality of life matters.
“I do believe the role of government is to protect and enhance all of our lives,” he said. “I will do my best to see that we do our work in a professional manner, where everybody is included and nobody is left out. And there are no exceptions. There will be no exceptions.”
“People have asked me the question repeatedly, what is the difference between your first term and second term,” District One Commissioner Ken Robinson stated. “The answer is, I know a whole lot more people than I did four years ago.
“We all seek the best quality of life, but getting there when you are one of the fastest-growing counties in the state of Maryland,” that is not so easy, he stressed, but added his intention to see that the county’s natural resources “are safeguarded, preserved and conserved for our children and their children.
District Two Commissioner Debra Davis said, “I have been blessed,” in her return for her second term, or as she termed it, “the closing of one chapter and the opening of another.
“You can stand up for what is right and just, stand up and make the hard decisions, even when they are not popular,” she added.
For the first time in recent memory, a school teacher will be a sitting member of the Charles County Commissioners, and District Three commissioner Amanda Stewart began her comments by stating, “I am so excited about the future of Charles County.
“I believe no matter our gender, our ethnicity, we have more that unites us than divides us,” Stewart said.
Stewart also had a message for her son Andrew, who was in attendance just as he has been at many of his mother’s political events. “If someone says you can’t, you will remember you can,” she said.
Commissioner Bobby Rucci said he was very excited to work with the new board as the District Four Commissioner enters his second term.
“I’m here because I love Charles County,” Rucci said. “I think we can do some wonderful things these next four years.
Also sworn in were Judge of the Orphans Court, Frank Lancaster, Lorraine Berry and Darlene Breck; Register of Wills Loraine Hennessy and Sheriff Troy Berry.
In their first meeting since taking office Wednesday, Dec. 3, President Peter Murphy presented new rules and procedures for the board, enacting a rotating vice presidency, which will allow for each member experience in the position. By lottery, Commissioner Ken Robinson was selected to be vice president for the first year, then Davis, Stewart and Rucci will serve respectfully.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com
