TORRINGTON – Following a unanimous 2-0 vote from his fellow Goshen County Commissioners, Wally Wolski was elected the new chairman of the commission during its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday. 

Wolski, who has served on the commission for six years, told commissioners John Ellis and Cody Cox that he is excited to take over as chairman. 

“The first thing I want to say is to my two fellow commissioners. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve as chairman,” he said. 

Leading the commission is something Wolski said he would have never imagined getting the opportunity to do. In his new post, Wolski hopes to help the county move forward and grow. 

“It’s a pleasure serving as a county commissioner, but to be in a leadership position is extra special,” he said. “When I ran, I never imagined a day when I would actually be sitting up here. I take it very seriously. 

“I’m really looking forward to the challenges. I’m looking forward to working with our clerk, all of the elected officials and particularly the two of you as we try to do what’s best for the welfare and safety of the people of Goshen County.”

Ellis was named vice chairman. Ellis, who won re-election for his spot on the commission in November 2018, said he is looking forward to this term and, hopefully, solving some long-term issues in order to tackle new challenges. 

“I really enjoy being on the county commission and serving the people of Goshen County,” he said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be given this opportunity. We have some things we carried over from the past couple of years so we can get them started and start something new.”

Wolski’s first order of business was to introduce a new agenda for the county commission meetings that he said would allow the public to voice opinions, and would allow for the commission to become more familiar with county departments and personnel. The new agenda includes a specified period for public comment and an afternoon work session for the commissioners to work hand-in-hand with county departments. 

“We’ve set up an agenda that is a little different than in the past,” Wolski said. “I’ve worked with the clerk and we’ve divided it into the same routine all of the time. We’re going to have departmental reports, we’ll take a break and then we’ll get into other business, basically. 

“Every time we meet, between approximately 11 and 11:30, we’ll have time for public comment. Occasionally people come in and they sit here for a long time and we wonder what they’re here for. If they have something to say, we’re going to give everyone an opportunity to say it.”