Eileen M. Rehrmann may well find her second term as Harford County executive, which begins today, much tougher than the first, even with a presumably more agreeable County Council and a blueprint that follows the work begun in the past four years.
It's not only that the devil is in the details of such things as refining the Adequate Public Facilities laws and advancing the farmland preservation plan with the transfer of rural development rights. There is also a palpable sense of impatience with government. Citizens are likely to demand more and forgive less than they have in the past. It's the same attitude that was reflected in last month's elections that swept Harford Republicans into most of the county offices.
Major announcements of nationally known businesses locating in Harford will be rarer in Ms. Rehrmann's next four years.
Economic development will continue, but the high-profile acclaim the executive has received in the past won't be there. Squeezing more growth into the "development envelope" along Route 40 is sure to be more difficult than before.
Demands for increased services and pay raises for county employees will place further stress on the budget. County workers aren't going to accept pay freezes this time around, either.
Mounting school enrollments will put pressure on the county to provide more funding for new facilities, and to fund pre-construction expenses earlier in the process. The election of candidates uniformly sworn to vote against further tax hikes will make these decisions even more difficult.
As for seeking additional state aid, Mrs. Rehrmann will no longer have as comfortable a relationship with the new governor as she enjoyed with William Donald Schaefer, a legacy of her prior service in the General Assembly.
On the other hand, Democrat Rehrmann can expect to have smoother relations with the new all-Republican council, particularly with new Council President Joanne Parrott, than she did in her first term. Mrs. Parrott wants to eliminate last term's friction and hostility between council and executive, steering the council toward review and correction of the executive's agenda rather than setting its own course.
Harford's new sheriff, Joseph Meadows, is also committed to restoring civility and mutual respect between his office and the administration.
Mrs. Rehrmann has shown a remarkable adaptability to challenges, often confounding her strongest critics. The experience of four years in office should add to her capabilities in navigating Harford County through the coming term.