Sentence:  That such expansion can be obtained without a raise in taxes is due to growth of the tax digest and sound fiscal planning on the part of the board of commissioners , <WSD>headed</WSD> by Chairman Charles O. Emmerich who is demonstrating that the public trust he was given was well placed , and other county officials . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  be the first or leading member of (a group) and excel