The Snohomish County Council voted unanimously today to elect Councilman Mike Cooper as chair for the 2009 business year. Cooper was handily elected from the third county council district November of 2007 and took office in January of 2008. He served as Council Vice Chairman throughout his first year in office.

"I am honored to have my colleagues place this confidence in me. I look forward to working with the Executive and other elected officials on the important challenges facing our county," Cooper said.

Noted within his first year with Snohomish County; Cooper was the architect of the recent movement of the Corrections Department from under the control of the Executives office into that of the Sheriffs. He also made headlines with his leadership in the passage of an emergency ordinance that protects senior and low income Mobile Home Park residents from losing their homes. This issue remains in the balance as he takes chairmanship.

Cooper is taking the reigns immediately proceeding the first year in which the Council presented and adopted a "chair budget" under outgoing chair Dave Somers.

"Last year was full of tough economic climates and tougher decisions effecting Snohomish County. I look forward to working with incoming Chair Cooper as we move ahead in 2009" Somers commented. Councilman Dave Gossett was elected vice chair and will round out the 2009 leadership team of the Snohomish County Council.

Contributed by: Snohomish County