by Tom Gantert | The Ann Arbor News

The new leadership voted in for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday may represent a power shift in favor of outlying townships rather than the more urban center of the county, two commissioners said.

Rolland Sizemore Jr., a Democrat who represents Ypsilanti and Superior townships, was unanimously chosen as the new board chairman, taking over from Jeff Irwin, a Democrat from Ann Arbor who remains on the board. For vice chairman, the board chose Mark Ouimet, a Republican commissioner who represents five townships, Chelsea and Dexter; the previous vice-chairwoman was Democrat Mandy Grewal, who represented Pittsfield Township before deciding not to run for re-election last year.

Commissioner Jessica Ping, a Republican who represents six townships, and Barbara Bergman, a Democratic Ann Arbor commissioner, say the choices signal that a new coalition has formed.

The ramifications are huge, Ping said, because it will play a big part in how the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department provides police patrols for townships and villages. It's been a controversial and expensive issue that has led to lawsuits among the sheriff, townships and county.

"The board will be run by commissioners representing everyone in the county except the city of Ann Arbor," Ping said.

Bergman said the outlying area commissioners have "a coalition going."

"They got the votes. What can I say?" Bergman said.
But not everyone agrees.

Irwin said he wanted to remain as chairman, but didn't press the issue because there is an unwritten rule that the chair position be alternated between representatives from the east and west sides of the county in alternating terms.

Irwin said it's not clear to him that his not being elected signifies a change in direction of the board. "We'll find out," he said.

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October 28, 2008
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
PRESS RELEASE: County Commissioner Jessica Ping (R) Announces Huron Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO and Southeastern Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO Endorsements

SALINE, MI (October 28, 2008) – Incumbent Washtenaw County Commissioner Jessica Ping received a unanimous endorsement from both the Huron Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO and Southeastern Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO on October 28th.
 

Southeastern Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO
 
 
Which includes:

Asbestos Workers Local 25

Asbestos Abatement Workers Local 207

Boilermakers Local 207

Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 9

Electrical Workers Local 252

Elevator Constructors Local 85

Glaziers/Glassworkers Local 357

Iron Workers Local 25

Laborers Local 449

Operating Engineers Local 324

Painters District Council 22

Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local 190

Roofers Local 70

Sheet Metal Workers Local 80

Sprinkler Fitters Local 704

District 3

This district covers southern Scio Township, the city of Saline and the entire southwest section of the county. First-term incumbent Jessica Ping, a Republican, is running against Democrat Frank Parkinson as well as Libertarian Howard Merritt.

Parkinson is running a spirited challenge, and he won our endorsement in the Democratic primary. He's certainly a thoughtful, well-prepared candidate, but our recommendation goes to Ping.

Both Ping and Parkinson understand the county's budget crisis, and both describe similar approaches to the problem - consolidating departments and sharing functions with other levels of government.

Ping seems to have a stronger focus on the issues in the Sheriff's Department and raises valid questions about pricing for townships that contract with the department. She's proposed a one-year freeze on per-deputy charges, which we think makes sense - not worrying about that matter immediately could let the sheriff deal with more urgent issues.

Merritt focuses on what he sees as poor delivery of service in the district, but we don't believe he's as prepared for the job as the other two. Parkinson has invested time and understands the issues, although in our interview it was at times hard to get a firm answer to a question. Ping, on the other hand, is direct and specific.

We think Ping serves her district well. She deserves another term.

Jessica was recently endorsed by the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau and the Huron Valley Central Labor Council AFL-CIO!
 
 

The County Commissioner Candidate Forum will be on Ch 18 until the election.  Dates and times might change slightly. Check www.sctn.org for a TV Guide. The first showing is Tuesday @ 7pm.

The video should be online soon @ www.sctn.org under the video section.

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The Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader are pleased to be hosting a County Commissioner Candidate Forum for Districts 3, 4 and 7.

Tuesday, October 14
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Liberty School (the old middle school), Saline

 Jessica is focused on the following issues regarding her district and Washtenaw County:

Maintaining Core Services - Police Protection - Jail and Court Service - Parks and Recreation
Open Honest Government - Accountable, accessible representation - Access to County information for all residents - Opposes backroom politics that support special interests
Western Washtenaw Comes First - Supports Farmland preservation and local agriculture - Western Washtenaw County representation on the road commission - Regional collaboration between municipalities