By Jason Arndt
Editor
Racine County Supervisor Thomas E. Roanhouse, of District 18, earned an appointment to serve as interim county executive through a unanimous vote from the Board of Supervisors.
Roanhouse, who submitted his letter of resignation from District 18, will assume the position until a Dec. 19 countywide special election to fill a vacancy left by former County Executive Jonathan Delagrave.
Delagrave died unexpectedly on June 28 from an apparent heart attack.
County Board Chairman Thomas Kramer, of District 13, took on Delagrave’s responsibilities until a County Board meeting on July 23 when Kramer recommended Roanhouse as interim county executive.
Roanhouse carries more than 15 years of public service within Racine County, including 10 years as county supervisor, and four years as county board chairman.
“During his time as county board chairman and in the months that followed, Mr. Roanhouse worked closely with Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave and he is committed to ensuring a smooth transition in the office of county executive and furthering the priorities and vision of County Executive Delagrave…,” Kramer wrote in a report submitted to the County Board of Supervisors.
Priorities included, but are not limited to, attracting economic development, developing a ready workforce, expanding mental health services, and preserving Racine County’s standing as a regional leader in providing cost-effective services while maintaining the lowest debt levels and property taxes in the region, Kramer added.
“I am honored and flattered that my peers have appointed me to fill this big, big, big void,” Roanhouse said in a July 24 phone interview. “Jonathan was the best leader in the state. Nobody was better than him.”
The Standard Press, Waterford Post and Westine Report will have more in the Aug. 1 print editions.
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