Following is the statement from County Executive Ike Leggett on former Montgomery County Council Member and Board of Education Member Blair Ewing.
Statement by County Executive Isiah Leggett on the Passing Of Blair G. Ewing
June 30, 2009
I am deeply saddened by the death of my friend, former Council colleague, and former County Council President and Montgomery County School Board president Blair Ewing.
During 22 years on the School Board, two years on the County Human Relations Commission, four years on the County Council, and, most recently, as a member of the Maryland State Board of Education, Blair Ewing demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to making Montgomery County a better place to learn and live. As a member of Federal Executive Service for 22 years until his retirement, Blair worked with distinction as a senior executive with the Department of Defense, the Office of Management & Budget, the Office of Personnel Management, and the Department of Justice.
Coming from a distinguished political family in Missouri, he recalled as a boy watching Harry Truman in action. His grandfather was Chief Justice of the Missouri Supreme Court and his uncle served as Governor. One of his ancestors died in defense of the Alamo. He was raised in a tradition that valued public service as a noble calling and Blair Ewing carried on with that tradition his entire life – as a reporter, a public official, and a teacher.
Blair Ewing’s honesty and integrity were legend in Montgomery County. So, too, was his doggedness in promoting the common good, regardless of the odds. He was a fighter all his life against racial prejudice and for a helping hand for those in need, perhaps most especially for those coping with mental health issues.
I have ordered Montgomery County flags to be flown at half-mast through the day of his funeral.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Blair’s wife, Marty Brockway, and to his entire family. Blair will be missed. This is a difficult loss for all who value honesty and integrity in public life.
Media Contact: Patrick Lacefield, 301-919-9372