William Burke, Roy Wilson re-elected to AQMD Leadership Posts
The South Coast Air Quality Management District's Governing Board has re-elected its top two leaders to guide the AQMD over the next two years.
William A. Burke was re-elected Chair, and Fourth District Supervisor Roy Wilson was re-elected Vice Chair of the 12-member panel.
Nine of the Board members are elected officials-four county Supervisors representing Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and five are city council members. The remaining three members are appointed by state officials; the position occupied by Burke is appointed by the Speaker of the State Assembly.
Both Burke and Wilson have served the panel with distinction. Burke is perhaps best known for founding the Los Angeles Marathon, but before that he had already established himself for his diverse blend of professional experience in several fields.
Supervisor Wilson is one of the longest-serving members on the AQMD Governing Board, having joined the panel in 1988. He has served in the vice-chair post since January 2003, and is in his fourth term as Supervisor of Riverside County's Fourth District.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District is the air pollution control agency for all of Orange County and for the urban parts of Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. More than 16 million Californians live within the District boundaries. It's the second largest urban area in the country, and one of the smoggiest.
According to its Mission statement:
"The South Coast AQMD believes that all who live or work in this area have a right to breathe clean air. AQMD is committed to undertaking all necessary steps to protect public health from air pollution, with sensitivity to the impacts of its actions on the community and businesses. This is accomplished through a comprehensive program of planning, regulation, compliance assistance, enforcement, monitoring, technology advancement, and public education."