Inauguration of Our New Mayor and Council
Nov 23, 2009 9:05 - 4 Comments
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Yesterday the 62nd Mayor and Council were inaugurated in a packed F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre during a ceremony hosted by Eileen McGuckian, author and founder of Peerless Rockville, who sprinkled historical facts throughout her remarks. She wondered what the men who incorporated Rockville were thinking in 1860. What could they do separate from Montgomery County? But they had begun to identify as a village and embarked on the journey to establish our City.
Photo by Brigitta Mullican
As in most of our public ceremonies, musical entertainment enlivened the event. The Richard Montgomery High School Madrigals stole the show – with meaning. Director Ronald Frezzo explained their first piece was about Queen Elizabeth and “how together with the people, the rulers create a better society for us all.” Their singing of the National Anthem combined with the formality of the City Police Color Guard created a respectful introduction.
Photo by Brigitta Mullican
After Mayor Phyllis Marcuccio was sworn in, her first act was to swear in the councilmembers. After they all took the oath, she needed to have them all come back up and sign the Oath of Office. She called John Britton up and he noticed, “This is Bridget’s.” After being given another, he joked “They all say Bridget. What’s going on here?”
This, of course, set off a string of jokes about the situation.
Piotr Gajewski pretended to overly scrutinize his Oath and remarked “Name, check, date of birth, okay” then signed.
Bridget Newton signed.
Then Mayor Marcuccio said “Now I can’t possibly confuse this last one” as she called Mark Pierzchala and he responded, “Now we know why John is a lawyer.”
All the quips received laughter and I personally thought it was good to see the councilmembers interact in good spirits.
Photo by Brigitta Mullican
In her formal remarks Mayor Marcuccio said she would be putting forth a number of proposals for a citizen-driven future and she hoped they would be supported.
During her speech she outlined three groups to be formed and she invited anyone who was interested in serving to let her know.
The first is a Task Force on Finance and Budget which would spend time thoroughly reviewing the City’s finances and complete a report by the end of March 2010.
Another proposal was an Ad Hoc Committee on Communications to review how the City disseminates news by staff, Channel 11, the web, and newsletter. With all these avenues she noted that less than 17% of the voters cast a ballot, which she thought could not be explained by apathy alone.
She would like to hold council meetings beyond the official chambers in such places as Thomas Farm and Twinbrook to engage people and find out what’s on their mind.
Perhaps the biggest announcement was for a Charter Review Committee to consider the size and terms of the council. She said the council needs to expand to meet demands and the City Manager form of government needs to be clarified.
During the forums, the candidates were asked if changes to the council were merited in light of our increased population. Various opinions on expansion have been proposed. Rockville voters have repeatedly rejected longer terms.
The new Mayor saluted former Mayor Susan Hoffmann for all her contributions to the City. She emphasized that her green initiatives were forward thinking and added she was committed to follow-up on her efforts.
Eileen McGuckian commented that Mayor Marcuccio’s speech was a nice way of “looking to the past and looking to the future.”
For the final performance of American the Beautiful by the Madrigals, Maestro Piotr Gajewski, was welcomed as guest conductor. His son, a former member, joined the Madrigals to sing too. Of course the entire audience sung the first and last verses ending on a musical note together.
The first Mayor and Council meeting for this newly-inaugurated body is tonight at 7 PM in City Hall.
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I hope that Mayor Marcuccio and council members could and would hold meetings at community centers ie Thomas Farm. Holding some meetings at off site locations would be a positive action. Some people do not go to city hall: Finding parking and locating City Hall is a hassel. Off site meetings for Mayor and council members would help residents to cut down on gas, a bit more conscience on the enironment.
Does the mayor have the authority to create committees and task forces without a vote at a public meeting of the mayor and council?I’m not clear on whether the mayor is “proposing” these groups or by her word can simply create them. Can someone clarify?
Theresa, There is so much confusion about our form of government. The confusion is fed by our choice to elect a Mayor separately from the other Council members. (This, incidentally, is one thing that I would like to see us change in our Charter.) Bottom line is that all formal decisions (including, of course, the creation of any official committees or taskforces) must be made by the whole Mayor and Council. Note, that at the last Mayor and Council meeting, we have now scheduled a discussion of the creation of the proposed bodies, for meetings in December.
I may be one of the few isn’t confused in general but this post indicated these boards, etc., would be created and that volunteers were already being sought. Glad to hear they will actually come to a vote in a public meeting.