Ailing commissioner will leave office Dec. 6

11/20/2002

Lucas County Commissioner Bill Copeland has set Dec. 6 as his date for retirement, the county announced yesterday.

Mr. Copeland, 80, a commissioner since 1990, told The Blade Monday that health concerns are forcing him to step down two years before his term is finished. He recently began dialysis and was released from the hospital this month after a two-week stay.

The county's Democratic Party likely will appoint someone to fill the remainder of his term by mid-December, party Chairman Paula Ross said.