As expected, Nancy Swartzbaugh Airing has been named to replace longtime Carroll County Register of Wills Reese L. Starner.
Despite saying they would not announce their choice to replace Mr. Starner until after his burial yesterday, the county's three Orphans' Court judges actually swore in his chief deputy to the $50,000-a-year position Monday afternoon.
"We just wanted to bury the man first before we made any kind of announcement," said Orphans' Court Judge Walter T. Haines Jr. "Is that so hard to understand?"
The appointment of Ms. Airing, 56, was not a surprise. Mr. Starner -- who died Saturday of a heart attack -- had for years told her and other courthouse officials that she was his choice to take his place.
Mr. Starner was first elected register of wills in 1966. A Republican, he was re-elected to his eighth term in November, defeating Democratic candidate Suzanne W. Albert by
more than 3,000 votes, his widest electoral margin in eight years.
Although the Maryland Constitution gives authority to fill a register of wills vacancy solely to the three Orphans' Court judges, Ms. Albert was perplexed at why they secretly swore in Ms. Airing while refusing for two days to tell the public.
Mr. Starner hired Ms. Airing in 1978. He promoted her to the post of chief deputy register of wills.