Cliff R. Roop, a member of the Anne Arundel County Council, died of a
heart attack after leaving the council chamber during a meeting in
Annapolis last night, officials said.

Roop, 44, was elected as a Republican in 1998 to represent the 5th
District, which encompasses the Broadneck Peninsula, in the Annapolis
area.

Witnesses said he apparently collapsed in an office area behind the council
chamber after leaving the dais during the session.

After council business proceeded for a time, council member Barbara
Samorajczyk said, "we realized he was missing."

Samorajczyk, a Democrat from Annapolis, said someone went into the
office area to look for him and on returning to the chamber asked whether
a physician was present.

Paramedics treated him at the scene but "couldn't stabilize him," she said.

Roop was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, where he
was pronounced dead at 9:06 p.m. Medical center spokeswoman Mary
Lou Baker said his death resulted from a "sudden, massive heart attack."

Earlier in the evening, according to Samorajczyk, he had spoken in favor
of a measure that was ultimately adopted.

Roop had appeared ill during his presentation, halting once for a drink of
water, she said. When the measure was adopted, she said, "He was really
happy."

Roop, who was the father of two children, owned a service station on
Route 32 near Fort George G. Meade.

"Cliff was a friend both in and out of politics," said County Executive Janet
S. Owens (D). "He cared deeply for all Anne Arundel County citizens.
Everyone here is feeling a profound sense of loss. We will miss Cliff very
much."

In discussing his candidacy in 1998, Roop told the Annapolis Capital that
"it just feels like the right thing to do."

"I've had fun working with the community in the past. It's just an extension
of that," he said. 

© Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company

The death of Anne Arundel County Council member Cliff R. Roop, who
suffered a heart attack during a council meeting Monday night, will leave
his council colleagues with little time to mourn before they must begin
searching for a successor.

According to the county charter, council members must choose a
successor within 30 days, and they want to leave themselves enough time
to conduct interviews in public with candidates who submit applications.
By law, Roop's successor must be a Republican and must have lived for at
least a year in the 5th District, which encompasses the Broadneck
Peninsula.

Roop, 45, was starting his second year in office when he suffered a
massive heart attack Monday night. He left the council chamber and
collapsed in an office behind the chamber. He died later at Anne Arundel
Medical Center in Annapolis.

By mid-afternoon yesterday, the council office had received about eight
inquiries about the seat. Some of Roop's opponents in the 1998 GOP
primary also received calls encouraging them to seek the position, and
Roop's former campaign manager was among those mentioned as a
potential replacement.

Roop, of Arnold, was one of two Republicans on the seven-member
board. He was regarded as a common-sense politician with traditional
Republican ideals. "He was a family man, a businessman, a resident first
and a politician second," said his legislative assistant, Pam Scarbro, who
was with him when he collapsed and who administered cardiopulmonary
resuscitation until paramedics arrived.

Council Chairman Daniel E. Klosterman (D-Glen Burnie) said that no
potential candidates had contacted him personally but that he knew of
several names being mentioned. "It's the political reality," he said. "I know
it sounds cold, but that's what happens."

Among the names Klosterman has heard is Ted Janssen, a Severna Park
consultant who was Roop's campaign manager and then his legislative
assistant for the first several months of his term. Janssen said that "in
deference to my dear friend," he would not comment on whether he would
seek the council spot. "We'll see what happens."

Cathleen M. Vitale, a Severna Park lawyer and chairman of the Anne
Arundel County Republican State Central Committee, ran against Roop in
the 1998 primary. She said yesterday that supporters had called, urging
her to run for the seat, but she declined to address the question now.

"I really don't think this is the time," she said. "I really have tried to focus on
his two daughters and his family, because they're who need us right now." 

Lawrence Masterson, a retired National Security Agency executive and
another of Roop's primary opponents, said he was thinking about the seat
after getting calls from friends and supporters. "I haven't done anything. I
just think it would be inappropriate," he said. 

© Copyright 2000 The Washington Post Company