Joe Gale Responds To New Montco Commissioner: 'I Am Optimistic'

NORRISTOWN, PA — Following the departure of longtime Commissioner's Chair Val Arkoosh and the appointment of a replacement this week, Montgomery County's lone Republican commissioner is maintaining optimism that the new alignment will be a productive one.

The county announced this week the chair of the East Norriton Board of Supervisors, Democrat Jamila Winder, would be filling Arkoosh's seat for the next year, through the end of her term. GOP Commissioner Joe Gale said he called and congratulated Winder.

"I look forward to helping Ms. Winder get acquainted to her new position by introducing her to the many departments and personnel that the Board of Commissioners oversees," Gale said Tuesday. "I hope that in making their selection to fill the Commissioner vacancy, the Common Pleas Judges chose someone who will make Montgomery County government more open and transparent to both me, as the sole Republican on the board, and taxpayers of all political affiliations."

RELATED: Montco Names New County Commissioner To Replace Val Arkoosh

Winder, who will be the first Black woman to serve on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, was on the Norristown Area School Board from 2017 to 2020 and has served on the East Norriton Township Board of Supervisors since 2020 and was named chair in 2023. She also leads the American team at an international digital medical education company.

Winder's appointment comes just weeks after Arkoosh was selected to lead Gov. Josh Shapiro's Department of Human Services, and Lawrence announced he would leave at the end of his term in 2023.

Gale has made no secret of his disagreements with the policies of Arkoosh and Commissioner Ken Lawrence, particularly as they related to the pandemic and economic and school shutdowns. He expressed hope that with Winder in the fold, the team would be more productive.

"In the past, the Democrat majority Commissioners have made every effort to marginalize my participation by keeping me in the dark about County operations," Gale added. "I am optimistic that will change under this new administration.”

Arkoosh, Lawrence, and Gale have made up the same three-person board since 2015.

Winder will be sworn in on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 3:30 p.m. in the Montgomery County Courthouse.