FINALLY: Anne Arundel Council Elects Marine Corps Reservist Peter Smith to Fill District 1 Vacancy // Dick Ladd Changes Vote

Maryland Juice is pleased to announce that Anne Arundel's District 1 County Council seat is no longer vacant. Four Councilmembers tonight voted to fill the vacant Democratic seat with Marine Corps Reservist Peter Smith. The weeks-long spectacle to replace former Councilmember Daryl Jones brought out embarrassing and racially offensive comments from members of the Council. While they spent weeks trying to prevent Pete Smith, a qualified African American, from serving with them -- they made comments about "gooks," called Glen Burnie a "ghetto," and otherwise insulted the diverse communities in Anne Arundel and Maryland.

Tonight that all ended, because the "gook" expert, GOP Councilmember Dick Ladd finally relented and switched his vote. Breaking the 3-3 stalemate, the vote was 4-2 tonight, to appoint Pete Smith. A reader sent in the following congratulatory Facebook & Twitter screencaps from Councilmember Smith's wife and the Anne Arundel County Dems:

The Edgewater-Davidsonville Patch provides details:

Severn resident Peter Smith was selected Monday night to replace imprisoned Daryl Jones on the Anne Arundel County Council.

Councilman Dick Ladd was the decisive vote after more than 100 deadlocked rounds of voting across four different council sessions....

Ladd, a Republican, said he was making the change "with much trepidation."

Congratulations!  Mr. Smith goes to Annapolis.