Prince Frederick, MD – For the first time in its 360-year history, Calvert County has five men leading its local government. On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the five Calvert County Commissioners were sworn in for a term of four years along with Sheriff Mike Evans [R]. The well-attended ceremony was held at the College of Southern Maryland’s Prince Frederick Campus.
Calvert’s new board consists of freshman commissioners Mike Hart [R-District 1] and Tom Hejl [R-At Large]; and second-termers Pat Nutter [R-District 2], Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R-District 3] and Steve Weems [R-At Large].
“You guys are in it now, you can’t get out,” Nutter quipped following the swearing in ceremony. Nutter, who has served as commissioners’ president the past two years, chaired the opening of the brief meeting. In conducting the election of board officers, Nutter indicated he was of the opinion that all members should have a chance to serve as either president or vice president.
Hejl made the motion to appoint Weems president and Slaughenhoupt vice president. The motion was seconded and all five members declined to comment.
The vote was 4-to-1 with Hart casting a nay vote.
Weems began his tenure as president with a deafening sound, courtesy of an over-modulated microphone.
“I want to thank the electorate and my family,” said Weems, who recited the John Walter Wayland poem “The True Gentleman.”
Slaughenhoupt saluted former commissioners Jerry Clark and Susan Shaw, thanking them for sharing “historical information, wisdom and friendship.” While noting that 1978 was the last time Calvert had an all-male, all-white board of county commissioners, Slaughenhoupt pledged to work with all organizations, including the Calvert Commission on Women and the NAACP for the good of the community.
“Being a county commissioner has been the most difficult job I’ve ever had but I love it,” said Nutter. “I am totally devoted to it.”
“Calvert took me in,” said Hart, who described himself as a “kid in a small town.” Hart declared he was excited to hold a position where he could help his community. “Nobody does anything by themselves,” he said.
“We have a true love of Calvert County and we want to see it get better,” said Hejl. “It’s our job now to see we maintain Calvert’s future.”
As he did in 2010, Evans took his oath at the same ceremony as the county commissioners. “I think that is a sign we are going to work well together,” the sheriff declared. As he began his fourth four-year term as Calvert’s top cop, Evans proclaimed the men and women comprising the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office staff are “doing a fantastic job.”
Former state senator and county commissioner Bernie Fowler served as the emcee for the oath of office segment of the event. “This is their day,” said Fowler. “They’ll have joy in serving and a few headaches.” Fowler observed that voters “spoke loud and clear” in the November General Election, providing the new board with a solid mandate. He told the gathering that the public had a responsibility to “do all we can to help them serve.”
Fowler, who was elected county commissioner in 1970 when the board consisted of three members, recalled the county’s operating budget early in that decade was $4 million. Then Baltimore Gas and Electric built a nuclear power plant in Calvert, the revenue multiplied substantially. Today Calvert has a nine digit figure operating budget. “We’ve come a long way,” said Fowler, who credited the board prior to the one he was elected to for implementing zoning laws in Calvert.
Among the issues the new board of county commissioners will be dealing with in 2015 includes a nearly $10 million hole in the county’s projected operating budget for fiscal year 2016. Slaughenhoupt noted “potential better times” are on the horizon when Dominion’s $3.8 billion liquefaction unit at Cove Point goes on line towards the new board’s term. The controversial construction project was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission this past September and is now underway.
The audience was welcomed to the ceremony by County Administrator Terry L. Shannon. Musical selections were rendered by students from Northern, Patuxent and Calvert high schools. The Huntingtown High School (HHS) NJROTC Honor Guard presented the colors. Rachel Cole, a HHS student, sang the Star Spangled Banner. Eagle Scout Lane Canada led the attendees in the Pledge to the Flag. Calvert County Clerk of the Circuit Court Kathy Smith [D] administered the oath of office to the six officials. The invocation was offered by Dan Simmons of Calvary Bible Church and the Benediction was offered by Deacon Gertrude Brown.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
