ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Gov.-elect Mark Dayton has picked a new leader for the board that runs the Twin Cities transit system, coordinates affordable housing and plans for regional population growth.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity chief executive Susan Haigh will be chairwoman of the 17-member Metropolitan Council. She is a former Ramsey County commissioner.

The Met Council has some big projects in the pipeline. Chief among them is the Central Corridor light-rail line connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The chair position is considered part-time, so Haigh plans to stay on with Habitat for Humanity.

She is married to Ramsey County judge Gregg Johnson, who was on the canvassing board that certified Dayton as the race winner after a statewide recount.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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