By Stephanie Samuel

Sentinel Staff Writer

Special election winner Andrea Harrison was sworn in to join the Prince George's County Council on Monday, carrying on the tradition set by her father, the late former County Councilman James C. Fletcher, Jr.

Present with her husband, two sons and mother, Harrison expressed her excitement to serve District 5 on the council and noted that she was first woman to do so. However, with several people in the crowd who knew and worked with Fletcher, the focus seemed to be more on the legacy that she is following in. After her swearing in a small ceremony was done in tribute to Fletcher.

"There is a great symmetry to it and comfort in the familial ties," former County Councilman Kirk Wineland said of Harrison's new role.

Fletcher, a Glenarden resident, served three terms as the mayor of Glenarden before being elected to represent District 5 on the Prince George's County Council in 1990. He only served one term before dying of a heart attack while attending a state municipal convention.

Wineland served with Fletcher and knew him well. He called Fletcher "a man of his word," and said of him, "He was a dedicated public servant, a man who took his sworn obligation seriously."

"He was the epitome of a gentleman. He genuinely loved people," said former Prince George's County Board of Education vice chairman Howard Stone. "He was truly a hard act to follow."

Yet many have no doubt that Harrison will be successful on the council. Stone said Harrison would do well because she has the same outgoing and friendly personality of her father. Sen. Nathaniel Exum (D-Dist. 24), who first met Fletcher in a chemistry class at Howard University, said, "I'm sure she is going to be as great as he was and better."

Although Harrison is turning over a new leaf, she says she has been prepared by her six years as an aide and policy advisor to former District 5 County Councilman and current state Sen. David Harrington (D-Dist. 47).

"I'm not saying that I will have all the answers, but I know those experiences will help to make good policy," Harrison said. She said she is also helped by following her campaign slogan of "keeping community first."

Harrington praised her for continuing with his theme, but said, in the coming days, "She's just going have to get out there [and] have people know her as councilwoman."

In an interview prior to the ceremony, Harrison told The Sentinel she plans to do just that.

"I'm going to try to push out as much information as possible," she said. So far, the council is working to finalize the county budget this week. Harrison said she has been sitting in on the hearings since her May 6 win over Republican candidate Steven Johnson in the special election.

Harrison received 1,838 votes to Johnson's 247 votes in the special election. She said she hopes to get a better understanding of the budget and use that understanding to reach constituents.

Contact Stephanie Samuel at

ssamuel@thesentinel.com

Courtesy Photo