Prince George’s Government swears-in government leadership at local church
Hyattsville, Maryland -- On Oct. 21, Aisha Braveboy, only the second Black woman elected to the county executive position, held the county’s swearing-in ceremony at City of Praise Church in Hyattsville.
Braveboy, who gave remarks after Ylawnda Peebles, wife of Bishop Joel Peebles, the pastor of the church prayed, thanked all the county officials for attending. She also thanked the county council, whom she said did not attend the ceremony, for confirming her nominations.
“I am super excited about the next group that will be up before the council in one week or two. But this is my first group of nominees. I am super excited. Honestly, you all are true professionals.”
“I am super excited about the next group that will be up before the council in one week or two,” she said. “But this is my first group of nominees. I am super excited. Honestly, you all are true professionals. You all bring a lot of talent and skill from the public and private sectors. But what you also bring to this job, which you can’t really measure, is your heart. I have seen you all make tough decisions.”
Maxene Bardwell, chief administrative officer, George Nader, chief of police, George Nichols, assistant chief of police (sworn in, council confirmation not required), Thelmetria Michaelides, Fire Chief, Dr. Katina Gomez, director of homeland security, Dr. Samuel Moki, director of environment, and Linda Allen, director of finance, were all sworn in last night.
“Madame County Executive I hope the county showed you today that we have your back.”
“I just want to say how proud we are of each and every one of you, and the contributions that you have already given to Prince George’s County, and the contributions you’re prepared to continue to serve the public with,” said Chairman of the Prince George’s County Council Edward Burroughs. “I want to thank our county executive, who stepped forward in such a bold and courageous way, appointing the best and brightest among us to lead these agencies. Madame County Executive I hope the county showed you today that we have your back.”
Sydney Harrison, council member of district 9, was also present. “Madame County Executive you have put an awesome leadership team together,” Harrison said. “ The humility that each one bestows; the character; the love, compassion; care; commitment; and dedication to Prince George’s County to elevate the county to where we need to go is absolutely remarkable.”
Harrison, like Burroughs, while seemingly looking toward Braveboy, said you have a “colleague in me who looks forward to working with each and everyone of your leadership directors to move our county forward.”
“You have that commitment from me – and if there is anything I do to be supportive, please let me know,” Harrison said while placing his hand over his chest to signify to attendees that he is talking about himself.
During her introductory speech, Braveboy also defended her decision to advocate for Dr. Samuel Moki for director of the Department of Environment. The county council confirmed Moki for the director of environment after community members voiced their deep concern about his character as a former Prince George’s County government worker. Community members criticised Barveboy for her decision to nominate Moki, who had been removed from the Department of Environment for allegedly mismanaging stormwater funds and projects.
“Madame County Executive I hope the county showed you today that we have your back.”
“That firing — which was upheld by the county personnel board, a county circuit court and the state’s intermediate appeals court — claimed that Moki mismanaged the county’s stormwater management program, and failed to ensure projects were completed in accordance with federal mandates. The county paid thousands of dollars in stormwater fines during the period around his tenure,” Maryland Matters reported.
The county council confirmed all those sworn in last night. However, George Nichols was appointed. According to the Braveboy’s administration, the council did not need to confirm him. Since taking office, Braveboy has swiftly moved to terminate some former employees under the Alsobrooks administration, replacing them with people she feels will help to move the county forward.
In June, NBC Washington reported that Braveboy asked county employees to “tender their resignations.”
“Mainly, it's just those at-will positions where they work at the pleasure of the executive,” according to NBC Washington. “And so, I am bringing in a new cabinet, but there will be some folks who remain.”
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