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Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) celebrated the appointments of three new department leaders last week but expressed dismay at the County Council's refusal to show support for his nominees two days earlier.

In a rare move, council members remained silent Nov. 17 after Johnson asked them to support nominees Mary Lou McDonough as the corrections department director, James E. Johnson as director of the Department of Housing and Community Development and Edward M. Scott as director of the Department of Central Services. After the nominees were introduced, the council adjourned its meeting.

"It was unfortunate," Johnson said Nov. 19 of the council's decision not to vote. "It would have been great to have a positive vote."

Though symbolic, the lack of a vote carries no weight. Under the county charter, the nominees are automatically confirmed 45 days after their nomination, and Johnson held the swearing-in last Thursday.

"The only way evil can prevail is if good people remain quiet," Johnson said at the ceremony, paraphrasing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

When asked after the meeting Nov. 17 about the sudden adjournment, council Chairwoman Marilynn M. Bland (D-Dist. 9) of Clinton said the governing body decided not to vote because of a "lack of consensus." 

"We're maintaining the status quo," said Bland, who declined to say what concerns were raised about the nominees. She would not share her opinion of the nominees.

Councilman Tony Knotts (D-Dist. 8) of Temple Hills said it was the first time he could remember in eight years that the group refused to vote on a major department nomination. He said he supported all three nominees.

The lack of consensus reveals problems among the legislative group, Johnson said.

"There are some issues among them that they need to resolve," he said, declining to elaborate.

Both McDonough and Johnson served in an acting capacity after previous managers were fired by the county executive and faced reluctance from the council.

McDonough, who has worked for the county since 1973, took over the county correctional center after the June 2008 termination of former director Alfred J. McMurray Sr. after a string of security lapses at the center.