DATE: November 21, 2006
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe
Public Information Manager
Phone: 954-357-8053
CONTACT: Scott Medvin
PHONE: 954-357-6015
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners has selected Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. to serve as Mayor and Commissioner Lois Wexler to serve as Vice Mayor in 2006-2007.
"I am honored to be chosen to serve as the Mayor of Broward County, the second most populous county in the state," said Commissioner Eggelletion, who served as Vice Mayor last year. "It is my intention to lead this board to a consensus as we push forward the issues facing this county. There is no big 'I' and little 'you' here. We will work together as a team." Mayor Eggelletion represents District 9 which includes portions of the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Sunrise, Tamarac, Plantation, North Lauderdale, and Lauderdale Lakes. Prior to becoming a Commissioner he served as a Member of the Florida House of Representatives for eight consecutive years. He was unopposed in his election to the Florida House of Representatives in November 1992, becoming only the third person in the history of the State to run in an open seat for the first time unopposed. He was re-elected subsequently in 1994, 1996 and 1998, also unopposed.
"I look forward to this coming year," said Vice Mayor Wexler. "As Vice Mayor, I will support the Mayor as he sets forward his goals for the year ahead. I am confident that all nine of us will work together as a team for a better Broward County." Vice Mayor Wexler represents Commission District 5 which includes the entire city of Cooper City and portions of Davie, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Plantation, the Town of Southwest Ranches, Sunrise and Weston. Vice Mayor Wexler was elected in 2004. She previously served on the School Board of Broward County for 12 years and served as chair for three terms.
Two newly elected County Commissioners were also sworn in to office. Stacy Ritter was elected to serve as the Commissioner of District 3, which encompasses portions of the cities of Coral Springs, Parkland, Sunrise and Tamarac, and an unincorporated area near Parkland.
"I spent two years as the Chair of the Broward County Management and Efficiency Study Committee and carefully studied every aspect of Broward County government. The Board of County Commissioners has the ability to affect positive change every single day," said Commissioner Ritter, who previously served as a Florida State Representative for eight years.
"I thank the residents of District 3 who elected me to office. I am humbled by this opportunity and I take this awesome responsibility very seriously."
Attorney Ken Keechl was sworn in to office to represent the residents of District 4 in Broward County.
"I am truly honored to be elected by the residents of District 4," said Commissioner Keechl. "We have a lot of issues facing us in Broward County and I am confident we will move forward on these issues during the coming year." District 4 includes portions of the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Oakland Park, and all of Wilton Manors, Hillsboro Beach, Lighthouse Point, Sea Ranch Lakes, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, and Lazy Lake.
Commissioners Sue Gunzburger, Kristin Jacobs and Diana Wasserman-Rubin were also sworn into office this morning after being re-elected to office.
"It is especially wonderful to be joined by my entire family today," said Commissioner Gunzburger, who was joined by her husband, daughters, son and three grandchildren. "I am proud to continue my service to the people of District 6. I'd like to welcome my new colleagues. It's going to be a wonderful ride." District 6 includes most of the city of Hollywood and portions of Pembroke Pines and Hallandale Beach. Commissioner Gunzburger was first elected to office in 1992 and has served on the Board longer than any current Commissioner. She was chosen as Chair of the Commission in 1994 and 1999.
"You don't get to this position alone. You get here with the support of your family, your staff and the community," said Commissioner Jacobs, who was joined by her husband and three children. "I want to thank the people of District 2 who have re-elected me to office. My door is always open. I am here to serve." District 2 includes the city of Coconut Creek and portions of Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Margate. Commissioner Jacobs was first elected to the County Commission in 1998 and was chosen to serve as Vice Mayor in 2003 and Mayor in 2004.
"I want to thank my husband, family, staff, friends and the residents of my district. No one gets here alone," said Commissioner Wasserman-Rubin, who has served District 8 for six years. "Every person on the County Commission brings something to the table. This is why I believe we are the greatest county in the state. If we put our resources together, there is nothing that we can't achieve." District 8 encompasses parts of Weston, Pembroke Pines, Southwest Ranches and Hallandale Beach and all of Miramar, West Park and Pembroke Park. Commissioner Wasserman-Rubin was elected to the Commission in 2000 and served as Broward's first Mayor in 2002.
For more information on the Broward County Board of County Commissioners please visit www.broward.org.
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