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County board names new chairman, replacing Sweeney
By M.K. Guetersloh
mkguetersloh@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — McLean County’s financial challenges continue to change and Matt Sorensen said he is ready to lead the county through them.

Sorensen, 41, was elected unanimously as County Board chairman at the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday. Sorensen, 8270 Idlewood Drive, Bloomington, had been vice chairman. That position now will be filled by David Selzer, 50, 1218 Windsor Drive, Normal.

Sorensen, a Republican, fills a vacancy created last week when Mike Sweeney resigned as chairman. Sweeney will continue to represent District 3, which includes western McLean County.

Sweeney was chairman for seven years and first was elected to the board in 1986. His resignation was a family decision, Sweeney said previously.

Experience as chairman of the board’s finance committee will be invaluable, Sorensen said.

“County government has evolved pretty dramatically over the years and the financial aspect has become more and more intense,” he said. “I will be able to take the helm and keep it going forward through these issues.”

He believes he can pick up where Sweeney left off in keeping the board together. He also noted there are Democrat members who are leading committees. Differences in political parties only come into play during elections and election of the chairman, he said.

The party holding the majority of board seats, in this case Republicans, nominates and votes for the chairman and vice chairman.

The board took about five minutes to work through the procedures of electing a chairman. Sweeney nominated Stan Hoselton of Chenoa to be the temporary chairman to preside during the election. Once members nominated and voted for Sorensen as chairman, he continued the election.

Before nominations for vice chairman were taken, member Benjamin Owens, 3207 Winchester, Bloomington, said members had talked about whether he or Selzer should be vice chairman. Owens nominated Selzer and asked other members not to nominate Owens.

“I’m flattered my name was floated as a strong candidate,” Owens said after the meeting. “I talked to David and he has some great ideas and though he would be the better choice.”

Selzer said he would like to see the board and other elected county officials continue with the strategic vision County Administrator John Zeunik and his staff developed for the county. He also said the county needs to look at the success County Sheriff Mike Emery is seeing by having a substation in Saybrook and if a substation concept could be used by other county offices.

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Reader comments on this story - 11 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

McLean County Resident wrote on Aug 22, 2007 9:27 PM:

" Thanks Mike, Good Luck Matt! "

Remember.... wrote on Aug 22, 2007 5:00 AM:

" If you don't like your representatives, this is why you have a chance to voice your opinion by voting. Those that are not participating, should not say anything. Get involved!!! "

To: The Blue One wrote on Aug 22, 2007 12:21 AM:

" Bubba who? "

The Blue One wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:34 PM:

" Don't get comfortable, bubba. "

Reed Rothchild wrote on Aug 21, 2007 4:57 PM:

" hey gnjaxon 72% of statistics are made up "

To: Can someone explain?? wrote on Aug 21, 2007 2:04 PM:

" The positions like county board, city council, or school board either pay very little or nothing. The positions are not the officials day jobs. So unless their employer gives them time off, any time that they put into meetings, learning about issues, or dealing with the public comes away from either their family time or free time. I do not blame them for saying that they have given enough. "

OMG wrote on Aug 21, 2007 1:17 PM:

" I can't believe this. When are we going to elect someone who isn't from the monkey family. I think Captain America would be a better choice. Or Skeletor. "

gnjaxon wrote on Aug 21, 2007 12:14 PM:

" Complain about AF all you want, but over 66% of the business in BN is directly related to SF's precense. A significant number of the restaurants and stores would cease to exist if SF decided to leave town. The fact is whether you work for them or not the community benefits from them being in town. "

Can someone explain?? wrote on Aug 21, 2007 12:11 PM:

" Why is it that all these politicians are leaving and citing "family responsibilities" for their reason. This is happening all the way from the top to the county and cities. Makes me wonder if something is going on underground and they don't want to be in the picture when it happens. One shoe drops and everyone waits for the other to follow. "

Related? wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:18 AM:

" To Joe Sweeney? "

not another one wrote on Aug 21, 2007 10:10 AM:

" Just what we need running the board is another one that cuddles up to the big business and does not care about the small business or the working class people. West side and small town people you have been ripped by your county board again. All Sorensen cares about is his pay check from State Farm; he fits right in with the Bloomington mayor. They only do what State Farm wants or tell them to do. "
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