Politics & Government

2013 a Whirlwind of Change for Heads of County, Schools and Police

There were dramatic changes in the seats of the county's most influential offices in 2013.

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Editor's Note:  In the course of a year, Anne Arundel County's Executive, Superintendent and Police Chief all changed. The following are excerpts of the stories associated with each shift in position.
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Neuman Named Anne Arundel County Executive (February 22)

By D. Frank Smith

Laura Neuman, who was selected to be the new county executive, was greeted with a rush of applause moments after she received a majority vote Thursday from the Anne Arundel County Council.

Neuman, 46, is a native of Anne Arundel County and the CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. 

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She gave a rousing speech during her interview with council members on Thursday night, laying her whole life bare—her trials and successes in making her own way in the world. Neuman earned a master's in business administration without a high school diploma or undergraduate degree, worked at T. Rowe Price, and Hilton Hotels before earning a name for herself in Maryland.

"It is truly an honor to serve," Neuman said after she was selected by the council.

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As for her first order of business as county executive, Neuman said she wants to restore confidence in the county government, after former executive John R. Leopold's departure.

"I think we need to create a culture that is collaborative and has strong leadership," she said during her interview. "Without strong leadership, the rest of it doesn't happen."

Read the full story on Anne Arundel Patch.

Superintendent Maxwell Takes Prince George's Post (June 26)

By Tim Lemke 

Anne Arundel County Schools Superintendent Kevin Maxwell will step down to take the same position in Prince George's County, according to multiple reports. 

Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker, who has the authority to select a new CEO from among three candidates selected by a special search committee, will be announcing Maxwell as the new head of the county school system at a press conference on Friday. 

In a brief email to Patch, Baker's spokesperson Scott Peterson said that the "administration is not confirming" the selection at this time. 

Since 2006, Maxwell has worked as the superintendent of the Anne Arundel school system. During his tenure, he worked to install signature and magnet programs at all high schools, though he often battled with county leaders on school funding issues. 

Maxwell is also a product of the Prince George's County school system, graduating from Bladensburg High School in 1969. 

Read the full story on Anne Arundel Patch.

Anne Arundel Gets New Interim Superintendent (July 23)

By D. Frank Smith

Anne Arundel County Public Schools has a new leader in Mamie Perkins, a veteran educator from Howard County, the school board announced on Tuesday.

Perkins, the former deputy superintendent of Howard County Schools before she retired in 2012, was named Tuesday during a special session of the school board as the new interim superintendent of schools. She signed an 11-month contract, and the board must select a long-term replacement by July 2014. Perkins will be paid $197,087.

Anne Arundel superintendent Kevin Maxwell announced his intent to leave the school system earlier this month, for a post in Prince George's County beginning Aug. 1.

Perkins said she was excited to join "the family at Anne Arundel." She said her intent is to carry the school system forward, and prepare to open schools again in the fall.

"It's not as if I'm coming in asking everyone to start over," Perkins said at the school board meeting. "I'm coming in asking to catch up."

Perkins spent 26 years as a teacher and coordinator in Howard County, and held the spot of interim superintendent for a brief period.

Read the full story on Anne Arundel Patch.

Neuman Picks New Police Chief (July 12)

By Tim Lemke

Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman picked a veteran of the Prince George's County police department to head the department in Anne Arundel,reports The Baltimore Sun.

Neuman tasked Kevin Davis, a Crofton resident who has spent 21 years working in neighboring Prince George's County, with securing the top spot for a department that has had two chiefs resign in the past year.

"Chief Davis is a proven leader and shares my vision for the future of our police department," said Neuman in a press release. "I am confident that under his leadership, morale and professionalism will be restored and the Anne Arundel County Police Department will become a model in the state."

Davis starts as chief effective July 15, according to The Sun.

Last July, former Chief James Teare announced his retirementamid allegations of misconduct by then-County Executive John Leopold.

Leopold appointed Larry Tolliver to police chief on July 26, for his second stint in the position. Then Tolliver retired on May 21, amid more misconduct allegations.

Read the full story on Anne Arundel Patch.

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