County Leaders Laud Duncan, Lull Audience

Monday's inauguration of the new county government went down like this: Oaths were taken. Speeches were read. A high-school band played patriotic tunes. Probably the biggest surprise of the day was the county council's on-stage group hug after taking their oaths.

Of course, it wouldn't be an inauguration without giving outgoing exec Doug Duncan a proper sendoff.

"The county's top elected official deserves his fair share of the credit for this county's success," council president George Leventhal told the audience at Bethesda's Strathmore Music Center.

"Thank you, Doug Duncan!" Leventhal blared into the microphone (twice).

But the real man of the hour was new county exec Ike Leggett (above), whose speech touched on a variety of subjects: slavery, JFK, the American Revolution, biblical scripture, Zen politics.

"Many--if not all--of our problems actually are the result of some of our successes," he told the audience. "How we respond will help determine whether this county's future is one that will bear fruit for all."

Oh yeah, and he said the county needed improved infrastructure to support existing and future development.

Photo courtesy of The Gazette.

"Remarks by Council President George Leventhal ... " (MoCo)
"Inaugural Speech by County Executive Isiah Leggett" (MoCo)