Commissioners honored for years of service

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On Thursday, Dec. 11, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners honored Commissioners Mike Bosnic, Kathy S. Crawford, Mattie McKinney Hatchett, and Jim Runestad at the Board’s final meeting of the year.

Commissioner Mike Bosnic (R) has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioner since 2011 after being elected in November 2010. He served in many leadership capacities on the Board during his tenure. He was the vice chairperson of the Board of Commissioners’ Public Services Committee and served as former vice chairperson of the Board’s Human Resources Committee. He was also a member of the Planning and Building Committee. Bosnic served as vice chairperson of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Regional Water Authority Study Group and voted to create the Great Lakes Water Authority.

During his tenure he voted on many resolutions to create more transparency in government and he also raised money for charity donating funds to the Troy-Clawson Optimist Club as a result of his winning the Board of Commissioners “Count Your Steps Commissioners Challenge.” He was publicly recognized for his work with the 17th District Veteran’s Court receiving a gold medallion for his work and service. Commissioner Bosnic represents Clawson and a portion of Troy in District #16.

Commissioner Kathy S. Crawford (R) has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2011 and was elected to the Board in November 2010. She has served as vice chairperson of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners General Government Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee.

Throughout her time on the Board, she has been an advocate for senior issues serving on the Area Agency on Aging 1-B Board of Directors and the Oakland County Senior Advisory Committee, where she served as an advisor.  Crawford initiated having many resolutions on senior issues. She also served as vice chairperson of the Board’s Ad-Hoc Webcasting Committee. She represents Novi, Novi Township, and a portion of Northville in District #9.

Beginning in 2015, Crawford will begin her first term as a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives in District #38. She will serve as the representative for District #38 in the state legislature.

Commissioner Jim Runestad (R) has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2009, after being elected to the Board in November 2008. He served as the chairperson of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Planning & Building Committee and was a member of the Finance Committee. He is the former chairperson of the Board’s Public Service Committee and was a member of the General Government and Human Resources committees. He is also a former member of the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency.

During his tenure, he established E-verification requirements for employees and contractors in Oakland County government changing the county’s policies. He was the catalyst for the implementation of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Coast2Coast Prescription Discount Card program. His contributions also include establishing an Oakland County Veterans Internship program and the creation of a liaison position to the Detroit Fusion Center. He advocated for crime victims’ rights creating an award which honored professionals and organizations that have worked tirelessly for victims.  He also supported the creation of the Great Lakes Water Authority and was very vocal on the regional water issue. He was also very vocal and passionate about the plight of foster care children introducing and hosting the “KidSpeak” forum in Oakland County.  Runestad worked in a bipartisan manner on many issues. He represents White Lake and Waterford townships in District #6.

Beginning in 2015, Runestad will begin his first term as a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives. He will serve as the representative for District #44 in the state legislature.

Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett (D) has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2003, after being elected to the Board in November 2002. She was one of the longest serving members on the Board of Commissioners. During her tenure, Hatchett served as minority-vice chairperson of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Human Resources Committee and was a member of the General Government Committee. She is the former minority vice chairperson of the Personnel Committee and is a former member of the Planning & Building Committee.

Hatchett has been a trailblazer on the Board becoming the first African American and the first African American woman to be elected president of the Michigan Association of Counties organization and she was also the first Oakland County commissioner woman to achieve this position. Hatchett has the distinction of having her name read and recorded in the official congressional recorded in to recognition of her receiving the prestigious Wonder Woman Award.

During her tenure on the board, she was very vocal on the Emergency Management Law which impacted her community, the City of Pontiac. She fought for transparency and fairness as well as fought to sustain her community’s local control of city services. Hatchett also honored many military service men from World War II recognizing their contributions, while bringing awareness of local African Americans who contributed to preserving American’s freedoms despite the fact that they were denied freedoms and fair treatment in their country, due to racism and discrimination. She publicly honored local Tuskegee Airmen and the 761st Tank Battalion giving Oakland County residents the opportunity to meet some of these local residents who made contributions to America’s military history. She also honored the Montford Point Marines and local civil rights activists who participated as Freedom Riders in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders.

During her time on the Board, she worked in a bipartisan manner to create the Great Lakes Water Authority and served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Regional Water Authority Study Group. She represents the City of Pontiac in District #10.

Oakland County Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell presented service awards to celebrate the contributions of these exceptional commissioners whose efforts have enhanced the quality of life for   Oakland County residents. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson also honored the outgoing commissioners giving them proclamations which were presented by his representative, Deputy County Executive/Information Officer Philip Bertolini.

The commissioners’ terms officially ended on December 31, 2014, at 11:59 pm.

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