By KIT SLACK
The Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving, two women assumed the top roles in Prince George’s County government by default. Both face uncertainty about when and how they may be ousted from their new positions.
First, on Dec. 2, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks resigned, which meant that Tara Jackson, the chief administrative officer, became the acting county executive.
The next day, the Prince George’s County Council was unable to reach a majority to elect a council chair for the coming year.
With no candidate earning a majority of votes, incumbent Chair Jolene Ivey claimed victory as the new chair for 2025 in a prepared speech focusing on meeting the needs of county residents with looming budget challenges. She concluded her remarks by saying, “Thank you again for the privilege of serving this body as chair for legislative year 2025,” and started a prayer.
Councilmembers Thomas Dernoga (District 1) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7) interrupted, Dernoga saying he had a point of order.
Dernoga asked Deputy Administrator Collette Gresham to confirm that Ivey had not been elected chair for 2025, and asked what the legal significance was. Gresham said that she understood from the rules that Ivey would continue as chair until a successor was chosen.
Ivey said a new chair could be elected at any time with eight votes from the 11-member council.
Oriadha said she thought only six would be required in this case. Gresham said she thought Oriadha was right, but that an opinion by the county attorney might be needed.
“Legally she is holding over as a de facto officer until a successor is elected,” Dernoga said. “Having said that, congratulations, Ms. Ivey. She’s our chair until otherwise said.”
“Wow, thank you Mr. Dernoga, that makes a girl feel real good,” said Ivey, briefly sarcastic during a meeting in which she largely stuck to prepared remarks about the accomplishments of the council in a tight budget year and her gratitude to councilmembers and staff.
Dernoga represents District 1, which includes North College Park and Laurel. He served as council chair for a year prior to Ivey. Under Ivey’s leadership, the county council undid measures Dernoga had championed that were unfavorable to developers.
If senator-elect Alsobrooks had waited until after Dec. 5 to resign as county executive, picking a county council chair could have been even more contentious. Under county law, the council chair could have become the interim county executive instead of Jackson, if the county council were not able to appoint someone within two weeks.
The divided county council must now decide the timing of special elections to fill the county executive seat, as well as to elect a county council representative for District 5. District 5 includes Colmar Manor, Bladensburg, Cheverly and Glenarden.
Ivey, as well as Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, the council’s two at-large members, have each announced an intention to run for county executive, as has Aisha Braveboy, the county state’s attorney. Tara Jackson, the acting county executive, has said she will not run.
Ivey has been the District 5 representative, but was elected as an at-large councilmember representing the whole county in the November election, filling a vacancy left when Councilmember Mel Franklin resigned.
That leaves her District 5 seat open. It also makes it harder to pass legislation, with the possibility of a tie among the 10 members currently sitting on the 11-member council.
The county council did succeed in selecting a vice chair on Dec. 3, with six votes in favor of Councilmember Ed Burroughs (District 8). He will serve as vice chair for 2025, succeeding Councilmember Sidney Harrison (District 9).