[Amended 11-14-2016 by Res. No. CR-03-2017]
(a) Before entering upon the duties of their offices, the Clerk to the
Council, the Treasurer, the City Manager, all department heads designated
by the Council, and the members of the Board of Elections, and all
other persons appointed to any office of profit or trust in the City
government, shall take and subscribe before the Mayor the following
oath or affirmation: "I, _________________ do swear (or affirm, as
the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United
States; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the
State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and Laws thereof;
and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently
and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute the office
of ____________________, according to the Constitution and Laws of
this State."
(b) The Mayor and each Councilmember, prior to assuming office, shall
take an oath before any officer of the State of Maryland duly authorized
and willing to administer such oath that he or she shall support the
Constitution of the United States, will be faithful and bear true
allegiance to the State of Maryland and support the Constitution and
Laws thereof, and will, to the best of his or her skill and judgment,
diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute
the office that he or she assumes, according to the Constitution and
Laws of this State.
The Treasurer and such other officers or employees of the City
as the Council or this Charter may require, shall give bond in such
amount and with such surety as may be required by the Council. The
premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the City.
All rights, titles, and interests held by the City or any other
person or corporation at the time this Charter is adopted, in and
to any lien acquired under any prior Charter of the City, are hereby
preserved for the holder in all respects as if this Charter had not
been adopted, together with all rights and remedies in relation thereto.
This Charter shall not discharge, impair, or release any contract,
obligation, duty, liability, or penalty whatever existing at the time
this Charter becomes effective. All suits and actions, both civil
and criminal, pending, or which may hereafter be instituted for causes
of action, now existing or offenses already committed against any
law or ordinance repealed by this Charter, shall be instituted, proceeded
with, and prosecuted to final determination and judgment as if this
Charter had not become effective.
If any section or part of a section of this Charter is held
invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, this holding shall not
affect the remainder of this Charter or the context in which such
section or part of section so held invalid appears, except to the
extent that an entire section or part of a section may be inseparably
connected in meaning and effect with the section or part of a section
to which such holding shall directly apply.