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The Wayne County Commission voted unanimously Jan. 7 to appoint Glenn Anderson to replace Richard LeBlanc as the 12th District commissioner. LeBlanc resigned effective Jan. 1 when he began his first four-year term as Westland city clerk, to which he was elected in November 2015.

The Commission's 12th District covers Garden City, Inkster and most of Westland.

"I am appreciative to the Wayne County Commission for the unanimous vote of confidence in my appointment to fill the unexpired term of former Commissioner Richard LeBlanc," Anderson said. "I look forward to working with the commission and the county executive to secure the county's finances, and strengthen processes to bring greater efficiency and accountability to county government, while providing exceptional services to our residents and businesses."

The Wayne County Charter requires that a replacement be named within 30 days of a commissioner's resignation. The replacement must be a registered voter in that district and of the same party as the departing commissioner. While the departing commissioner can recommend a replacement, the vote is conducted by the remaining commissioners. Anderson will serve the remainder of the two-year term, which ends Dec. 31, 2016.

Anderson, D-Westland, served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001- 06 and the Michigan Senate from 2007-14, and was the Commission's appointment to the seven-member Wayne County Ethics Board in 2015.

He also served on the Westland City Council from 1991-2000, has been a Realtor since 1979 and worked for Ford Motor Co. for 28 years. He has been a UAW member since 1972.

Anderson, 61, and his wife, Gail, have lived in Westland since 1978. They have two adult children, Melissa and Kyle, and two grandchildren, Mackenzie and Logan.

LeBlanc, 57, was midway through his second term on the Commission. He was elected in November 2012 for the 2013-14 term and then re-elected in November 2014. He also served for three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, three terms on the Westland City Council and one term on the Wayne-Westland Community Schools' Board of Education.