A Gay Day in Broward

The highest-ranking openly gay mayor in the United States now leads Broward County.

Ken Keechl was elected mayor Tuesday and will serve for the next year as leader of the 1.8 million populous. Keechl was elected vice mayor in 2008 by his colleagues on the commission.

The landmark moment comes at a time of turmoil on the dais as corruption scandals have already resulted in the removal of one commissioner with rumors of more to follow. Former commissioner Josephus Eggelletion was arrested last month by the FBI and charged wit money laundering.

Gov. Charlie Crist has not appointed Eggelletion's successor, which has some in the black community fuming.

But Tuesday was Keechl's day in the sunshine.

The mayor's torch in Broward doesn't mean a heck of a whole lot except Keechl will get to bang the gavel during meetings and cut ribbons at park and library openings. But while in office, he does have the authority to redecorate County Hall a bit.

Keechl was first elected to the county commission in 2006.

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