Looking back on the first year for County Executive John Leopold, I have to say I am impressed. Naturally, there will be those who say otherwise, but the feel I have around town is that Leopold gets high marks from most county residents.

Leopold cut where needed rather than expand too much. Running an office for the people is what I have seen from Leopold; what more could we ask for? There was no sloppy politics in the county this past year, so I see the county moving in the right direction.

2008 will be a tough fiscal year for much of Maryland, but I feel the county has the correct person in office to handle any situation that faces Anne Arundel.

Stephen-Clark Reigle Severn