La Plata, MD – As her first order of business as the new mayor for the Town of La Plata Monday, May 8, Jeannine James selected Paddy Mudd [Ward 4] as her vice-mayor.
It was a probably a wise choice. Mudd alone is the lone councilmember sworn in Monday who has previous experience in town government.
“I was a councilmember here for eight years,” she said. “I’ve been away, but now I’m back.” Mudd ousted longtime councilmember and former mayor Joe Norris in the May 2 election for the municipality.
Matt Simpson {Ward I], a former Democratic Central Committee member, Brent Finagin [Ward II] and Emily Mudd Hendricks [Ward III] were the other new members along with Mudd and James. The team touted “A new day for La Plata” during the election and it was indeed. One of the most telling dynamics of the new town council’s swearing in ceremony was the none of the incumbents—not even the mayor, Roy Hale, who announced last year that he would not be seeking re-election—were in attendance.
The town also chose new departments for the councilmembers. Paddy Mudd will sit on the Beautification Commission; Councilmember Brent Finagin will now sit on the Design Review Board; Councilwoman Emily Mudd-Hendricks will join Parks & Recreation; and Matt Simson will be on the Planning Commission.
All nominees were approved by the council in unanimous votes.
While James admitted she wished all of the meetings could go as smoothly as their first, she said she is excited and eager to get to work.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com