Promising a new era of openness and integrity in Anne Arundel County government, County Executive Janet S. Owens took the oath of office yesterday during a ceremony that drew a standing ovation from about 700 people in the audience.

"I am very proud to be the first woman to take this oath," Owens said.

"I'm proud of my roots in this county. And I'm proud and humbled by the faith and trust you have put in me," said the 54-year-old former social services administrator who grew up on a farm in south county.

Many in the gymnasium at Anne Arundel Community College praised her courage for overcoming a defeat in a court clerk's race four years ago and ignoring critics within her Democratic Party to beat an incumbent with a large campaign treasury.

"When she lost that election, she could have walked away from politics, but she did not. When her best friend, her mother, died, she could have withdrawn from the public arena, but she did not. Her determination and her spirit has brought us to this day," said Robert P. Duckworth, the court clerk who administered the oath to Owens.

Owens said her first priority when she steps into her offices in Annapolis today will be to abolish pensions for the county executive and County Council.

To symbolize her commitment to open government, Owens invited residents to stop by her office on the Arundel Center's fourth floor from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today.

She pledged to protect the county's rural heritage, to improve the schools and to "raise the bar" on the ethical standards that citizens can expect from government.

"This will be an administration that reflects the best of the people it serves," said Owens, standing at the podium. Her husband, David Sheehan, and former Executive John G. Gary, were seated on the stage behind her.

"It will be an administration in which new initiatives will meet the twin tests of public support and adequate resources," Owens said. "It will be an administration that will care about every child and every teacher."

Her victory last month was fueled by the support of teachers and parents who thought that Gary's repeated attacks on school board spending revealed a lack of concern for education.

Exchange of gifts

There were no harsh words between Owens and Gary yesterday.

As a gift, she handed Gary a golf club, reflecting his love of the sport.

Gary offered Owens the electronic key-card to his office and a mirror, saying that she should look into it to find her best adviser.

The outgoing county executive also handed her three envelopes, telling her that she could open one each spring when she runs into trouble putting together the county's budget.

Gary joked that the message in the first envelope reads: "Blame John Gary." The second: "Blame John Gary." The last: "Prepare three more envelopes."

In her inaugural speech, Owens drew a link between her ancestors' settlement 350 years ago in the first colony in Anne Arundel County, called "Providence," and the divine providence she said helped her overcome great odds to win.

"Anne Arundel County was founded 350 years ago by our first settlers who lived in a world of pristine waters and fertile land," Owens said. "There was no congestion back then. There were no environmental issues. They were able to design their system of education as they pleased. They cared for their community.

"This ceremony marks a deeply personal moment because my ancestors go back to those early settlers. I stand before you today and accept the job as your county executive. I accept the responsibility to protect the land, to improve our system of PTC education, and to set high standards and live up to them on each day of my stewardship," Owens said.

Line of admirers

After the ceremony, the audience filed into the college cafeteria for a reception, where people formed a long line to shake Owens' hand.

Some observers said few of these admirers -- many of them county employees -- stood up for her early in her campaign, when Democratic officials were trying to push her out of the race.

Most comments yesterday were full of hope for the county.

Mary Talbott Cole, a 56-year-old banker from the Eastern Shore who grew up with Owens in south Anne Arundel County, said she was proud to see her longtime friend take a historic step forward for women in county politics.

"I knew that if there was a woman who could do it, it would be Janet," said Cole. "She's always been a go-getter, she's very determined. Her mother would have been proud."

New vision'

Barbara Samorajczyk, who will be sworn in today to represent the 6th District on the County Council, said she expects a new tone in the county's leadership for the next four years.

"Her speech expressed a totally new vision for the county," said Samorajczyk, a Democrat. "I think there will be a true environmental sensitivity, a new openness, a real partnership with education. I'm very excited about working with Janet Owens."

Pub Date: 12/07/98