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Elected county officials sworn in
WEST CHESTER — County Commissioner Carol Aichele was elected chairwoman of the three-member board Tuesday, succeeding fellow Republican Commissioner Terence Farrell over the objection of Democratic Commissioner Kathi Cozzone.
Despite the split vote on her reclaiming the position she last held in 2008, Aichele said she believed that the three commissioners had worked well as a team in the past, and would continue to do so in the coming 12 months.
"I think we should underscore that this is a very collegial board," Aichele, of Tredyffrin, said after switching seats with Farrell, of Lower Oxford, who was elected vice chairman by a similar 2-1 vote, with Cozzone, of Uwchlan, voting no.
"When you are the best county in Pennsylvania, the bar is high," said Aichele, who is running for lieutenant governor in the Republican race for the seat this year. "We intend to maintain our position as the first and best-run county in Pennsylvania."
Cozzone had nominated herself for both the chairman's position and that of vice chairman, but both failed for a lack of a seconding vote. She declined comment on the votes after the meeting, however.
Farrell left the chairman's job saying that the county had weathered an economic storm during 2009 that saw diminishing tax returns and a slew of cuts in both state and federal aid. He praised his colleagues for helping the county pass a 2010 budget with no tax increase, and said the county had also been fortunate to win a "triple A" rating from each of the three major bond-rating agencies.
"We have been able to work together well, and I hope that will continue," Farrell said.
Despite the county's diminishing Republican majority, the party still maintains control of the county's row offices, and, as evinced by Cozzone's inability to convince her fellow commissioners to give her a chance at the chairman's position, dominance on the commissioners' board. The county has never had a Democratic commissioners' chairman or vice chairman.
The commissioners' reorganization meeting came after the elected row officers were sworn in during ceremonies in Courtroom One of the Historic Courthouse.
Taking office were Controller Valentino "Val" DiGiorgio of Uwchlan, who was re-elected to a second term; Treasurer Ann Duke of West Chester; Clerk of Courts Frank McElwaine of Westtown; and Jury Commissioners Mimi Sack of Honey Brook and Martha Smith of East Bradford.
Also taking their oaths of office were several district magisterial judges who were either re-elected or won election for the first time.
They are, in alphabetical order with the locale of their court, Lori Novak Donatelli of Uwchlan; Gregory V. Hines of Coatesville; Gwenn S. Knapp of West Chester; Grover E. Koon of Valley; Matthew Seavey of Avondale; Thomas Tartaglio of Tredyffrin; and Jeffrey J. Valocchi of Caln.
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan, send an e-mail to mrellahan@dailylocal.com.
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