BROWARD COUNTY – Three newly elected Broward County Commissioners and two incumbent Commissioners were officially sworn in to office today. In addition, the Board selected Commissioner Sue Gunzburger to serve as mayor and Commissioner John Rodstrom to serve as vice mayor for the next year.
Sue Gunzburger, who served as Broward County vice mayor last year was sworn in by her son, Ron Gunzburger. Mayor Gunzburger has served as a Commissioner for the longest period of time, elected to first represent District 6 in 1992.
“Today begins a new day for Broward County and this Commission. Voters sent a loud message that government needed to better respond to the economic problems facing struggling families. Our most immediate priority must clearly be job creation,” said Mayor Gunzburger. “It is my intention to call upon our neighboring commissions to discuss issues of mutual concern and create a road map for the future. The way to address this budget crunch is to look at the big picture with short-term and long-term goals.”
Kristin Jacobs, who has served as the District 2 County Commissioner for 12 years, was sworn in by Pastor Phil Roughton from the Christ Church United Methodist in Fort Lauderdale. “I believe this is the greatest elected job in the state of Florida and I’m so proud of the work that we are doing here,” said Commissioner Jacobs. “I believe a ‘green’ economy will create jobs. We are training people for green jobs right now, but we need to attract more green business and I believe we can do that. There is much to get done in the four years ahead and I’m looking forward to it.”
Broward County Vice Mayor John Rodstrom and Mayor Sue Gunzburger, front row, are joined by Broward County Commissioners, left to right, Ilene Lieberman, Dale V.C. Holness, Kristin Jacobs, Lois Wexler, Barbara Sharief, Chip LaMarca and Stacy Ritter.
Newly Elected Broward County Commissioners:
Chip LaMarca, elected to represent District 4, was sworn into office by U.S. Senator George LeMieux. As the only Republican serving on the Commission, he noted that issues of importance were non-partisan in nature. “There is nothing partisan about public safety, creating jobs, governing the port and airport, the vital infrastructure that is needed, or working to make Broward County the best possible place to live, work and raise a family,” said LaMarca.
Barbara Sharief, elected to serve District 8, was sworn in to office by her husband, Maxwell Chambers, with her children, mother and siblings by her side. “I was humbled by the turnout of voters and it was so moving to see people come to the polls and say I came to vote for you,” said Commissioner Sharief. “This is the democratic process and I am so proud to be a Broward County Commissioner. I am so proud to be in America, and I am so proud to have the liberties we have here.”
Dale V.C. Holness, elected to represent District 9, was sworn in to office by Art Kennedy, longtime chief of staff for U.S. Senator Alcee Hastings. “The major task ahead is to revive this economy. We are the gateway to the Americas and Latin America and we have tremendous opportunities with a wonderful port and airport that will be expanded. We need to utilize these tools,” said Commissioner Holness. “We probably are one of the few places where you can find someone who speaks any language and understands all cultures from around the world and we need to tap into that.”
