County Selects New Board Chairman

The Carroll County Board has elected Rod Fritz (D-3, Lake Carroll) as the new board chairman. He will replace Sharon Hook (D-2, Thomson) who remains on the county board but who chose not to run for the chairmanship. Fritz was unopposed.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, Circuit Judge Val Gunnarsson conducted the swearing-in ceremony of nine members that were elected in November. In District 1, Kevin Reibel, Kurt Dreger and Shawn Picolatti were re-elected. In District 2, Cheryl Cole. Gerald Bork and Sharon Hook were reinstated. Cole was appointed in 2008 to fill the seat vacated due to the death of Helen LaTouche. Rod Fritz and Joyce Schubert held their seats, while newcomer James Hazelbower from Lanark was elected to his first term.

The Vice Chairman election resulted in a split vote. Ron Preston was nominated by Kurt Dreger, and Judy Gray was nominated by Paul Hartman. In a 9 to 5 vote, Gray was declared the winner.

Fritz then appointed board members to their respective committee assignments. One major change was his decision to combine the Ag & Zoning committee with the County Development & Services committee. It has been renamed the Zoning & County Services Committee. Here are the board assignments to the 5 county committees:

Zoning & County Services - Edie Block, chair, Kevin Reibel, vice-chair, Chuck Wemstrom, Paul Hartman, Gerald Bork, and Juanita Randklev.

States' Attorney & Finance - Judy Gray, chair, Kevin Reibel, vice chair, Sharon Hook, Ron Preston, and Paul Hartman.

Sheriff & Property - Ron Preston, chair, Paul Hartman, vice chair, Joyce Schubert, Cheryl Cole, and James Hazelbower.

Highway - Shawn Picolotti, chair, Sharon Hook, vice chair, Judy Gray, Kurt Dreger, and Gerald Bork.

Collective Bargaining - Kevin Reibel, Judy Gray, and Paul Hartman.

The Carroll County Board will continue to meet on the third Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m.

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