With a nod to his sheep farm roots and spiritual grounding, Barry Glassman was sworn in Monday as Harford's new county executive in a stately inauguration ceremony the type of which the county has not seen in a long time.
Glassman joined the seven all-Republican members of the County Council in taking the oath of office at Harford Community College's APG Federal Credit Union Arena.
Maryland's governor-elect, Larry Hogan, spoke about the coming Republican change in the state, thanking Harford residents "who put aside partisanship and party politics, and voted to change Maryland for the better."
Government officials and local leaders took up just over half of the 3,200-seat arena for the ticket-only event.
The county has not put on such a star studded inaugural event since perhaps 1998 when James Harkins became county executive.
Outgoing executive David Craig, who attended Monday's ceremony with his wife, took over Harkins' reign mid-stream in 2005, marking a much softer transition.
The crowd in the arena cheered often as Glassman announced plans to reorganize county government with a retirement package, fight Harford's heroin "scourge," build an agriculture research center and even remove reserved parking spots around the county office building.
Hogan, who was slated to also speak at inaugurations in Anne Arundel and Wicomico counties later Monday, praised Glassman as a "genuinely nice man who is also smart, articulate, caring" and, along with his parents, has spent a lifetime in the county.
"There is no doubt that the voters of Harford County chose wisely and they had the wisdom to elect an outstanding man to lead them for the next four years," Hogan said, adding "Barry and I will work closely as partners."
Glassman, a state senator since 2008, meanwhile cited his close relationships with Hogan and others in state government as a big advantage.
He presented Hogan with a sheep print blanket and said after the ceremony: "The good news for me is, I am friends with the new governor."
"I am hoping those legislative ties will help me as I go" ahead, he told members of the media.
In his official speech, Glassman announced plans to start a countywide reorganization that would include a retirement incentive. After the ceremony, Glassman said he hopes to make that effective in early February.
Executive orders to reduce the county work force and start reorganization "to make county government more efficient and customer-service-driven" would be revealed Tuesday, Glassman said in his formal speech.
"Let's make sure that our children's children live the American dream in Harford County," he said.
He also told the audience he would introduce bills fighting once again for Harford County to get a room tax and to oppose the state-mandated stormwater fee, a major goal for Republicans.
"Rain will no longer be taxed in Harford County," Glassman said to loud cheers and applause, although he added the county will continue working to meet the dictates of the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
He signaled major economic challenges ahead, despite the county's relative fiscal stability during the recession, as boasted by Craig's administration.
"We are not going to change things tonight. The economy is not going to turn on a dime, but we are going to work hard every day and seize this chance to make a difference," Glassman promised.
Glassman said he will partner with State's Attorney Joe Cassilly in creating a task force to fight Harford's "heroin epidemic," noting he is "sad to report" Harford ranks fourth in the state in heroin overdoses.
He mentioned plans to build an ag research center to create well-paying jobs for young people as a sort of "STEM for farmers," referring to science, technology, engineering and math education.
After the ceremony, Glassman noted he already has a property in mind for such a center in the northern part of the county, though he would not disclose yet where it is.
Glassman said the site could be used as a "food hub," a cooperative for farmers, as well as a year-round farmers' market and a headquarters for ag offices.
Glassman specially thanked his predecessor in the Senate, the late James Robert "Bob" Hooper, and quoted the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, in serving a "government of the people, by the people, for the people."
"As a man of faith, I ask you not to worry about me too much," Glassman said, getting an affirmative shout from the audience when he added: "Rest assured, I am not alone."
"Pray for me and my family as I pray for the people of Harford County," he said as the crowd rose to its feet in applause.
The roughly hour and a half long ceremony featured an array of local choirs and religious leaders who gave the proceedings a spiritual, as well as patriotic, bent.
The St. James AME Church Gospel Choir sang "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Soon And Very Soon," while Edgewood High School's orchestra performed "God Bless America."
The Rev. Violet Hopkins-Tann, who Glassman said originally urged him to "step forth" 26 years ago, read Psalm 8.
North Harford High School's choir made a more humorous choice by serenading Glassman with "Mary Had A Little Lamb."
Glassman was sworn in by Harford's clerk of the Circuit Court, James Reilly, who administered the oaths of office separately to the council president and council members.
Newly sworn-in County Council President Dick Slutzky, previously a councilman, spoke on behalf of his council peers: newly-elected Mike Perrone Jr., Patrick Vincenti and Curtis Beulah and the returning Joe Woods, Jim McMahan and Chad Shrodes.
Slutzky said he is committed to "working in a positive, collegial manner" with the council and county government.
He said he will be guiding a "team of individuals with different personalities" and different experiences, with the goal being "to pass the best legislation possible."
C. Milton Wright High School's orchestra performed during the recessional, Churchville Elementary School students led the Pledge of Allegiance and members of the Aberdeen Proving Ground honor guard performed a flag ceremony.
Joseph Holt, chief of staff at Washington College, was master of ceremonies, and the Rev. Craig McLaughlin, of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, delivered the invocation.
For the benediction, Monsignor Michael Schleupner of St. Margaret Church, John McKnight of Reformation Bible Church, Pastor Ben Cachiaras of Mountain Christian Church and Bishop Roger Tatuem of Helping Hands Ministries all spoke.