New Montgomery County Council President Makes History

The Montgomery County council has a new president today. Nancy Navarro becomes the first Latino woman to hold the position.

The president position on the council rotates every year, and usually goes the person who was vice president the previous year. That tradition continued today when Navarro assumed the presidency.

Councilman Craig Rice put her name in for nomination in Spanish, saying: "Asi es con gran placer que concluyo con nominación de nuestro colega Nancy Navarro por el presidente de consejo."

Navarro is the first Latino woman to be county council president. During a brief speech this morning, she touched on many issues that will be at the forefront for the county over the next year, including how to shed the perception that Montgomery County is not as business-friendly as its neighbor across the Potomac River: Fairfax County, Va.

"I have heard for too long that Montgomery County is not open for business," says Navarro. "Today I want to be absolutely clear: Montgomery County is one of the best places in America to grow a business of any size."

Craig Rice was elevated to vice president. The former state delegate is serving his first term on the council representing the upcounty district.