Don Praisner Officially Joins MoCo Council

Montgomery County elected officials formally welcomed Don Praisner to their ranks this morning in a quiet swearing-in ceremony at the Circuit Courthouse in Rockville.

Praisner was elected to the County Council this month to fill the open seat left by the death of his wife, Marilyn Praisner, in February.

County Executive Isiah Leggett and Council President Michael Knapp were among the well-wishers that included Praisner's children and grandchildren.

Knapp told him, "We may have lost a family member, but we've not lost a family."

Praisner joins the council just days after the conclusion of a contentious budget debate. He acknowledged "difficult months ahead," and with his voice cracking with emotion, said, "I'll do my best to keep us moving forward."