The leadership of the executive and legislative branches of Pierce County government has changed with the new year GÇô some of it unplanned, the rest scheduled. In changes announced last week, Ron Klein was named deputy county executive, and Doug Richardson was elected by his fellow County Council members as the council's new chairman. Klein was picked by Executive Pat McCarthy to replace Kevin Phelps, who recently left the deputy executive position to become city manager of Glendale, Ariz. Klein most recently was the county's communications director, the same post he filled from 2001 to 2009. He also held a similar position previously with Pierce Transit. Klein, a Pierce County native who lives in Tacoma, "knows Pierce County and can address the complex issues we're facing,GÇ¥ said McCarthy. Klein's appointment is through the rest of this year. McCarthy will leave office at the end of December after the final year of her second four-year term. The county charter limits the executive to two terms. As part of the annual restructuring of the Couinty Council leadership, Richardson was chosen by the rest of the six-member council to be its chairman. The move was expected, as he'd been serving as vice chairman. During their Jan. 12 weekly meeting, council members also chose Dan Roach as vice chairman and Joyce McDonald as executive pro tem. Roach was the previous chairman. Roach and Richard will be involved in election campaigns this year GÇô Roach for county executive and Richardson for re-election. Both are Republicans. McDonald, also a Republican, is term-limited and will leave office at the end of 2016 after eight years on the council. Her role as executive pro tem gives her certain executive duties if the executive is away from the job or unable to perform its tasks.
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