Madison County and Venice Township have a Black township supervisor for the first time in their collective history after swearing in the township board on Monday.
Mark Crochrell Sr., who won the supervisor position in last month鈥檚 election, beamed as he raised his right hand to take the oath of office.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great feeling,鈥� he said. 鈥淰ery excited about how the whole night went and being able to take the office.鈥�
Crochrell was part of a , often against longtime white incumbents. He unseated Andrew Economy, who had been Venice Township supervisor since 1993.
鈥淲e really want to graduate into the 21st century,鈥� Crochrell said. 鈥淲e want to be able to bring plenty of resources and be able to serve the community.鈥�
Also sworn in on Monday were Township Clerk Gussie Glasper, Trustees Marie Nelson, DeWanda Crochrell (Mark鈥檚 sister), Roshelle Williams-Gardner and John Cortez Williams and Highway Commissioner Sean Mosby. All but two ran together.
All of the newly sworn-in officials have been active in the community for years and now have the chance to augment that work with the power of local government, Crochrell said.
鈥淭o be able to continue what we鈥檝e been doing, now we have a support system,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e can come with the township and explore other avenues.鈥�
Community and youth development are priorities for the new leaders as well as senior services and mental health work. Crochrell stressed his goal is for Venice Township to grow in population, resources and opportunity.
He also noted the historical significance of the night and gave credit to those who got him and his team there.
鈥淭he people voted this in 鈥� our whole team,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he people that were here tonight, we鈥檙e going to work hard for them.鈥�
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