A county's catharsis

Corroon also vowed to strengthen ethics policies (the County Council recently passed a group of revamped ethics ordinances), protect open spaces, work to create a unified police authority — following the model of the Unified Fire Authority — follow recommendations of a jail overcrowding study, create new jobs and "protect taxpayer dollars."

While declining to categorically dismiss any possible tax raise, during the campaign Corroon promised to be conservative, starting with himself: At his urging, the council last month reduced the mayor's staff budget by 30 percent.

"Being mayor is not just a job, but a trust that has been given to me," he said.

Speakers went so far as to say that the county may wind up stronger as a result of the scandals. Dayton noted that the flood in the Johnny Cash song left a layer of rich black dirt on the fields.

"I truly hope that none of (the newly elected officials) will squander this moment — this opportunity . . . ," he said. "Goodbye and God bless. I hope God will bless this place."

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