The face of Anne Arundel's government took on a new look yesterday as the seven County Council members - four incumbents and three newcomers - were sworn into office in an emotional ceremony, and County Executive Janet S. Owens quietly prepared for potential changes in her executive Cabinet.

Owens, a Democrat from Millersville who was inaugurated for her second term Sunday, asked her Cabinet members to submit letters of resignation to Chief Administrative Officer John M. Brusnighan by tomorrow.

Brusnighan, who crafted Owens' e-mailed request for the letters, said it was "customary" and did not signal a wholesale change in the county's top management tier.

"There are no particular targets," he said of the e-mail, which he sent to the other 27 members of the county executive's Cabinet. Brusnighan, a member, said he, too, will submit a letter of resignation.

"I still have mine from four years ago," he said, referring to Owens' 1998 election, when she also asked for resignation letters.

'Not quaking'

Several key members of Owens' Cabinet said yesterday that they were not worried about losing their jobs. Budget Officer John R. Hammond, one of the few Republicans in the Owens administration, said late yesterday that he had yet to read the e-mail, which was sent out in the morning. "I'm not quaking in my boots," he said.

Questions about a potential Cabinet-level shake-up were eclipsed at the Arundel Center by the swearing-in of council members, many of whom invited relatives and campaign supporters to attend the event.

Clerk of Circuit Court Robert P. Duckworth gave the oath to incumbents Pamela G. Beidle, Bill D. Burlison, Cathleen M. Vitale and Barbara D. Samorajczyk, and council members-elect C. Edward Middlebrooks, Ronald C. Dillon Jr. and Edward R. Reilly.

Shift in power

Samorajczyk, a Democrat from Annapolis, spoke of the political change as a result of the 2002 election. "Four years ago, I was elected in a Democratic landslide ... changing the council from Republican to Democratic control," she said.

"This year, the election resulted in a Republican tidal wave, restoring the council back to Republican control."

Four of the seven council members - Vitale, Middlebrooks, Dillon and Reilly - are Republican.

Still, several council members said yesterday that the political bent of the elected panel shouldn't prevent it from serving the needs of the county.

Council members said they would continue to work to improve schools and public safety and to expand housing opportunities for middle- and low-income residents.

New leaders

"It's wonderful to be here," said Middlebrooks, who served on the council as a Democrat from 1990 to 1994 before switching parties. "We'll work hard to do what's best for our kids."

Vitale, who won her first election this year, was appointed in 2000 to replace former Councilman Cliff Roop, who died of heart attack.

She said she hoped the council would have "spirited and open debate," but members would remember to be team players.

After the swearing-in ceremony, which was held at 3 p.m., council members had a few hours to relax - many enjoyed dinner with their families at West Street restaurants - before they convened for their first official meeting at 7 p.m.

At the session, council members unanimously elected Vitale as their chairwoman and Middlebrooks as vice chairman. They also approved a slate of council staff members.

Administrative officer Judy Holmes, assistant administrative officer JoAnne Gray, auditor Teresa Sutherland and attorney Robert Pollock will continue to work in their respective positions for the next four years.

Whatever her plan for her Cabinet, which meets regularly to discuss policy and legislation, Owens is keeping it close to the vest. She declined a request for an interview about it.

"This doesn't mean that resignations are imminent," said Owens spokesman Matt Diehl, who also received the Brusnighan e-mail. "This is a practice lots of governments use. It doesn't necessarily mean there's going to be any turnover."

Former County Executive O. James Lighthizer, who served from 1982 to 1990, said that while it's typical for newly elected officials to ask for resignation letters in anticipation of new Cabinet appointments, it's rare for an incumbent to do so.

"Apparently she wants the option of making some changes without firing them," he said. "I guess that means she's looking to make some changes."