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Mayor Stacy Ritter
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Vice Mayor Ken Keechl
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DATE: November 18, 2008
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe, Public Information Manager
Broward County Board of County Commissioners
PHONE: 954-357-8053
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners has chosen Vice Mayor Stacy Ritter to serve as the mayor of Broward County and Commissioner Ken Keechl to serve as vice mayor. The Broward County Charter stipulates that commissioners, elected from single member districts, vote annually in November for the leadership positions.
"When you stop and think of the impact we have on people's lives, it's humbling," said Mayor Ritter. "Today, our challenges are great. Broward County must reinvent itself and I believe Broward County Government can and should play an important role in identifying and encouraging the development of our economic engines."
Mayor Ritter noted that she would use her term as mayor to advocate for:
• Access to the Florida East Coast (FEC) rail corridor to link the County's cities with the airport, seaport, courthouse and transportation center to create exciting redevelopment opportunities. "I believe we can work as a region with the state and the new administration in Washington, D.C., to open that door," said Mayor Ritter.
• Support an inland port in western Palm Beach County to maximize the rail and truck shipping opportunities for Port Everglades without finding more land for container storage. "Port Everglades has shown its ability to be creative and innovative. We need to take action to make things happen so that Port Everglades remains the number one containerized cargo port in Florida," Mayor Ritter said.
• Greening Broward County government by asking each County department to create a plan to substantially reduce the County's carbon footprint. "I'm talking about converting facilities to solar power, double-paning windows to reduce cooling costs - creative ideas," Mayor Ritter said.
Mayor Ritter also noted that she received a congratulatory telephone call from the future first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. Mayor Ritter was an early campaign supporter of President-Elect Barack Obama.
Commissioner Ken Keechl was nominated to serve as vice mayor by fellow Commissioner Kristin Jacobs who said, "his good nature, bright intellect and fair and collegial approach" more than qualified him for the position.
"I am honored to serve the people of Broward County as a commissioner and vice mayor," said Vice Mayor Keechl. "We face many challenges, but with a focus on economic development and the goals outlined by Mayor Ritter we will continue our work toward a better future."
Former Mayor Lois Wexler delivered the State of the County Address for 2008 outlining the many accomplishments of the County during the past year. "The State of the County remains strong," said Wexler. "The challenges we have faced this past year do not overshadow or outnumber our achievements. I am proud to report that Broward County government operates more efficiently than it did a year ago. Better processes and procedures are in place to assist us in the future." Commissioner Wexler remains the commissioner of District 5 in Broward County.
Commissioners Ilene Lieberman, Stacy Ritter, Lois Wexler, John Rodstrom and Josephus Eggelletion, Jr., were also officially sworn-in to office after being re-elected in 2008.
For more information on the Broward County Board of County Commissioners visit www.broward.org.
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