C. A. Dutch Ruppersberger III took office as Baltimore County's new executive yesterday, repeating a litany in his acceptance speech that was heard often during the last four years from his predecessor.
"The days of unlimited government resources are over and will likely never return," Mr. Ruppersberger said in the packed ceremonial courtroom in the old county courthouse in Towson. The event, planned for outdoors, was forced inside by a warm, persistent drizzle.
The new county executive's words of warning on revenues echoed the oft-repeated preachings of outgoing Executive Roger B. Hayden, whom he defeated to win the county's top office.
Mr. Ruppersberger said public safety, education and economic development were his top three priorities, followed closely by renewal of the county's older neighborhoods.
All were also Mr. Hayden's priorities. In the spring, he ordered the drafting of a plan for the older neighborhoods.
Former Executives Dennis F. Rasmussen (1986-1990) and Donald P. Hutchinson (1978-1986) and four of Mr. Ruppersberger's election rivals, John C. Coolahan, Melvin G. Mintz, state Sen. Nancy L. Murphy and Donald Brewer, were in Towson to hear Mr. Ruppersberger's speech. Mr. Hayden did not attend.
Mr. Ruppersberger said he would seek improvements despite slow-growing revenues. However, county budget officials are trying to determine how big a deficit will occur in June if cuts are not made to the current $1.3 billion budget. Income tax revenues are below last spring's projections, creating a nearly instant crisis for Mr. Ruppersberger. He has said he won't raise taxes.
For many Democrats, the swearing-in ceremonies for courthouse officials, County Council members and the executive were like a long-awaited homecoming after four years of Republican leadership under Mr. Hayden. For example, Mary Carol "Sam" Miller, executive secretary to several Democratic executives, who was removed from her job early in 1991 by Mr. Hayden, was seated prominently at the event. She worked hard for his defeat this year by being active in Mr. Ruppersberger's campaign.
In his speech, Mr. Ruppersberger played down party divisions and election-year rhetoric and stressed the need for nonpartisan cooperation over the next four years.
"We need to work as a team, both Republicans and Democrats," he said. "Our citizens . . . do not care about party labels."
The executive made a point of welcoming Baltimore City-based state legislators whose districts cross the city-county borders, declaring that "we have ignored Annapolis too long," and have paid the price in reduced state funds for building new county schools.
Because of redistricting after the 1990 census, six city-based delegates from the 46th and 42nd districts represent more than 30,000 county residents.
Baltimore City Council President Mary Pat Clarke attended the ceremony as did council Vice President Vera P. Hall, who represented Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke. Others there were U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes and Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin. Vincent J. Gardina of Perry Hall formally was selected as the County Council chairman at the new council's first meeting yesterday. Mr. Gardina continued the executive's tone of conciliation, pledging "strong cooperation" between the council and the executive.