Submitted by Joshua Akinyemi

(Towson, MD) – Councilman Julian Jones of Baltimore County’s Fourth District was named chairman of the seven-member council for the New Year on Tuesday January 2^nd at 6pm at The County Council Chambers (400 Washington Ave, 21204). All seven seats on the Council will be up for Election this year.

Before the vote, Councilman David Marks, a Republican, noted that since the Council’s inception in 1956, there have been 61 Chairmen and Chairwomen. All were white.

At the same time, the five people who’ve announced they’re running for county executive this year are white. But Jones is optimistic that African-American candidates can win throughout the county.

Jones talked about “firsts” as he was chosen unanimously in a ceremonial vote to lead the council; he said when a “first” does happen; you should make a big deal of it.

“It’s important to encourage others, especially our young people to say, ‘Here is an example of what you can do, too,” Jones said.

Jones is from Woodstock and represents a District in the Western portion of the County. He took over the Chairmanship from Councilman Tom Quirk of Catonsville, who led the Council in 2017.

Jones, who is retired as a Division Chief in the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, was elected to the Council in 2014.