Detroit, MI - The Wayne County Commission has unanimously elected Commissioner Edward A. Boike, Jr. (D-Taylor) as chairman of the commission. The election took place at the commission’s organizational meeting for the 2009-2010 legislative session.

“It is truly an honor to selected chairman,” Boike said in his acceptance speech. “I will work to uphold the Wayne County Charter, set policy and provide financial accountability for the taxpayers of Wayne County.”

His agenda for the commission includes streamlining the organization and finding ways to make it work more efficiently and effectively.

With Wayne County facing its worst economic downturn since the Depression, Boike said the challenge facing the commission is to minimize the reduction in services and programs the county provides its citizens and its communities.

“Our task is to balance the needs and resources available for all 43 communities and be attuned to their needs,” he said. “We must seek additional funding sources to improve roads, maintain drains, fight foreclosures and redevelop underutilized properties.”

A common denominator for all 43 communities is the need for jobs, and Boike pledged that the commission would work in partnership with County Executive Robert Ficano to diversify Wayne County’s economy, create new employment and generate additional tax base.

Boike said Wayne County would emerge from the current economic storm by being strong and united. “We are not a county of city and suburb. We are one Wayne County,” he said.

Boike is the longest-serving member of the commission. He was first elected to his seat in 1988, and has been re-elected 10 times by the voters of district 15. His district includes Brownstown Township, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Huron Township, Rockwood, Romulus, and Taylor.

At the meeting, commissioners also elected Keith D. Williams as vice chair of the commission and Ilona Varga as vice chair pro tempore.