DaRon McGee opened the floor for nominations for the office of Vice
Chairman.
Manuel Abarca IV nominated Megan L. Marshall.
Jeanie Lauer nominated Sean E. Smith.
The votes for Vice Chairman were as follows:
Megan L. Marshall: 5 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Marshall, Manuel Abarca
IV, Venessa Huskey, and DaRon McGee.
Sean E. Smith: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith
Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin
5
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Frank White, Jr., County Executive, welcomed everyone to the first
Legislative meeting for 2023. He congratulated the new Chairman and
Vice Chairman. He said his door is always open to share their concerns,
thoughts, and ideas. He said this is an historic occasion with the election
of the most diverse Legislature ever and he is proud to be part of this
moment. Such progress and representation extends beyond this body.
The Honorable Jalilah Otto will serve as the presiding judge for the next
two years. She brings extensive knowledge and character to the Circuit
Court. Mr. White invited Judge Otto to speak to the Legislature.
Judge Otto thank Frank White, Jr., for inviting her to speak. She
understands this historic moment, but for her it is just doing her job. She
has been a public servant since graduating from law school. In December
2021, past Presiding Judge Dale Youngs had the confidence to nominate
her as presiding judge and her colleagues voted her into that role. She
has been learning from Judge Youngs ever since. She quoted Reverend
Martin Luther King, in his letter from the Birmingham, Alabama jail,
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere...Whatever affects one
affects all indirectly." What they do within the courts affects everyone
directly and indirectly. They are committed to following the rule of law,
upholding the constitution, making sure the courts are accessible to all,
fairness, and timeliness of decisions. The circuit court has a new Court
Administrator, Beverly A. Newman, who will be meeting the Legislators in a
few weeks.