Commissioners Maciejewski and Light retained their seats on the County Council.

Photo: Jason Maciejewski (left). Photo: jasonmaciejewski.com and Crystal Lyte. Photo: lectcrystalyte.com

County Commissioners Jason Maciejewski (District 1) and Crystal Light (District 2) retained their seats in the November 5, 2024 election, defeating challengers Phyllis Risdon and P. McNichol, respectively.

Elected to the County Commission in 2018, Maciejewski has served on various committees including the Broadband Task Force, the Area Agency on Aging 1B Board of Directors, the County Road Funding Subcommittee, the County Emergency Telephone Board and the SEMCOG Executive Committee.

As director of advocacy and planning for the nonprofit Area Agency on Aging, Maciejewski advocates for resources for seniors, such as Meals on Wheels, and oversees programs that benefit seniors. He previously served two terms as a Dexter Township Trustee and served on the Westerno-Woshten Recycling Authority Board for ten years.

Jason Maciejewski worked with local leaders in Chelsea and surrounding communities to advocate for the continuation of court services at the county courthouse in downtown Chelsea. Recognizing that the current building was not suitable for modern court operations, he worked to ensure that the Western Service Center was included in the county’s new office space plan. This Chelsea-area facility will not only house court services, but also provide other county services to residents of western Washtenaw County.

Commissioner Crystal Light was born and raised in Ypsilanti and is a graduate of Willow Run Community Schools, with an Associate of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Washtenaw Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Michigan University. She is the Chair of the East Washtenaw Democratic Club, Co-Chair of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party Events Committee, and is active in Michigan Works! Southeastern Removal/Clean Slate Committee.

Committed to the best interests of Washtenaw County, Lyte is committed to removing community barriers and working with the Board of Commissioners to establish strategic goals to promote progress.

The Washtenaw County Commissioners serve as the primary governing body of Washtenaw County, overseeing policies, budgets and services that impact residents throughout the county. They are responsible for approving county budgets, developing county policies, and ensuring effective management of government services, including health and human services, public safety, infrastructure, and the environment.

Commissioners work with local municipalities and agencies to meet community needs and improve quality of life. They also engage with constituents to understand local issues and represent their interests in county government, making decisions that affect public resources and services in Washtenaw County.

Local politicians, such as county commissioners, city council members, and school board representatives, often influence our daily lives more directly than national politicians. They make decisions about local policies, budgets and services that affect our schools, roads, public safety and public resources.

While national issues dominate the headlines, it is often local government that determines the quality of our parks, the effectiveness of emergency services and community development priorities. Local leaders are also more accessible, allowing residents to voice concerns and see change happening close to home.