Jerry Marinich will be the next Chairman of the Broome County Legislature.
The Republican from the Town of Chenango was elected unanimously by his fellow party members over the weekend. The retired Lieutenant from the Binghamton Fire Department will succeed Democrat Daniel Reynolds as chair. He was first elected as a legislator in 2002.
The chairman sets the agenda for legislative sessions as well as appointing committee chairs and members.
Republicans will have a 12-7 majority in the legislature beginning in January.
Marinich says the time for politics is over and now the legislature as a whole must find a way to work together. He says the Republicans are committed to getting a deal done on safe gas drilling and tackling the county’s budget deficit.
Republicans elected Legislator Wayne Howard from Port Crane as Majority Leader, the second highest post on the board.