Woronchak Announces Run for County Commission Reelection
The Dearborn Democrat has served on the commission since 2005.
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Gary Woronchak will seek another term on the Wayne County Commission, the Dearborn Democrat announced Wednesday.
Woronchak has served on the commission since 2005, and is currently the chairman of the commission, elected by his colleagues to that position in 2011. The former state legislator and newspaper editor is running in the 13th District, which includes Dearborn and Allen Park.
“Our county is facing some unprecedented challenges, and the role of the Wayne County Commission in addressing those concerns is more important than ever,” Woronchak said in a statement. “I will respectfully ask the voters I have served for several years to re-elect me to the commission so I can continue to strengthen oversight of county government while working to resolve our budget concerns so we can maintain delivery of services with declining resources.”
A federal investigation that began last fall has included records being subpoenaed and has resulted in the firings, resignations and arrests of appointees in the administration of County Executive Robert Ficano. The Wayne County Commission has responded with a series of resolutions and ordinances designed to tighten their oversight of the administration–including one authored by Woronchak.
He also aided in the creation of an Ethics Ordinance, which sets up standards of conduct for county officials and employees to avoid conflicts of interest and other practices, and establishes an Ethics Board to hear complaints of violations of the ordinance.
Woronchak is currently in his fourth term on the commission, which is the legislative branch of county government, responsible for approving the county budget, enacting ordinances and approving contracts and appointments.
Before being elected to the Wayne County Commission, he served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing Dearborn.
As a state legislator, Woronchak named his biggest accomplishment as successfully changing the state School Aid Act to increase funding for at-risk students in Dearborn Public Schools, which resulted in the school district receiving $2.5 million more per year.
Woronchak is a graduate of Edsel Ford High School and Henry Ford Community College, and holds a degree in political science from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
Before being elected to public office, Woronchak worked more than 20 years as a journalist, most of that as editor of the Dearborn Press & Guide.
Deadline for filing documents to run for the office was Tuesday. Woronchak is unopposed in the Aug. 7 primary election and will be challenged on the Nov. 6 general election ballot by J. Scott Saionz.
Learn more about Woronchak's reelection campaign at CommissionerGary.com.
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Edsel Ford High School
20601 Rotunda Dr, Dearborn, MI -
Henry Ford Community College
5101 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI -
University of Michigan-Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI
Millie
11:30 am on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Time for a good housecleaning. Bring us some new candidates with more honesty and transparency. Tired of the crooked behaviour.
Frank Lee
3:56 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Exactly, this guy has zero credibility. First when he was term limited out of his other government job he switched parties, and now he wants to provide oversight. Why was he not providing oversight the last 5 years. This guy will do whatever he has to do to prevent working for a living. This job is only part time and pays 70,000 grand a year, maybe we can elect someone who will actually do something. This guy is tainted, time to clean house
Dearborn Taxpayer
5:30 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
So Frank, does that mean you might vote for a Republican?
Ernest
10:25 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Has this guy ever held a real job? We need someone with the guts to stand up to Ficano, not just make pointless gestures. Heard Kroger was hiring.
Frank Lee
5:45 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Woronchak is a republican, at least he was when it got him votes. Any politician that is for improving government accountability and transparency has my vote. Political parties exist to increase the power of the party and not improve the country
Scott Saionz
9:20 pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012
Scott Saionz
Whatever you call Gary, and I used to call him a friend, he is not now working for the best interests of the People of Allen Park and Dearborn. It may be time for a candidate with business experience. Not a Poli Sci Major with years of entrenched government service.
This may be an interesting year politically but incumbents do not have the edge that they once did.
Scott......
Wondering
9:58 pm on Sunday, May 27, 2012
So what would you do differently Mr. Saionz, and what concrete and measurable results are you responsible for in your present job?
Scott Saionz
8:40 am on Monday, May 28, 2012
Scott Saionz
As you may know, the office of Wayne County Commissioner is the legislative branch of county government. It is responsible for approving the county budget, enacting ordinances and approving contracts and appointments.
So.....
Let's start with submitting a balanced budget, an audit of all ordinances and their affect on the county, an audit of all county contracts and even posting them online for all to see, and an audit of all appointments. A modification of the toothless ethics committee that the current commissioner set up is required to give it an enforcement provision.
Also, the current commissioner is no longer seen or heard much in Dearborn. As I am a current EDDDA commissioner, I will continue to be available to hear issues as put forth by the people of Allen Park and Dearborn. My goal is to make Wayne County Government responsible to the needs of the people that elected that government.
Scott......
Frank Lee
8:07 pm on Monday, May 28, 2012
Woronchak takes Ficano money, Ficano gets in trouble and now Wronchack is all about accountability. What has this guy been doing for the last 4 years. Nothing. He is a backstabbing turncoat and Dearborn will turn this Republican turned Democrat turned Ficano supporter now anti Ficano supporter out on the street. Woronchak accepted a 75,000 a year salary for a part time job, and he couldn't even do it right now he wants Dearborn to give him another chance. What has this pathetic chump who wears eyeliner ever done but collect a check. He is the definition of a political opportunist and creep