Westchester Legislators Sworn In and Begin New Two-Year Session

Jenkins and Williams Re-Elected to Leadership Posts

The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL), including four new members, were sworn into office at a special ceremony tonight during its 2012 organizational meeting to mark the beginning of the 2012-2013 county legislative session. The ceremony, conducted in the BOL Chambers, was presided over by Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni and drew a standing room only crowd of family members, friends and supporters.

The Westchester legislators also re-elected Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) as BOL Chairman and Legislator Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon) as BOL Vice Chairman during the ceremony after Administrative Judge Alan Scheinkman from the Ninth Judicial District had administered the oath of office to the legislators. The oaths of office for the two BOL leaders were administered by Supreme Court Justice Sam D. Walker from the Ninth Judicial District.

Tina Seckerson was also re-elected Clerk of the BOL. The new members of the BOL are: Michael J. Smith (R-Valhalla), representing District 3 (Mount Pleasant, Pleasantville and North Castle); David B. Gelfarb (R-Rye), representing District 6 (Harrison, Rye Brook and Port Chester); Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining), representing District 9 (Croton-on-Hudson, Cortlandt, Ossining and Briarcliff Manor); and Virginia Perez (D-Yonkers), representing District 17 (Yonkers).

In his remarks following his oath of office, Chairman Jenkins remarked upon the successes of the previous legislative session, and said: “Working for the people of Westchester means understanding the values that we share, and staying focused on the priorities that are right for all of our residents. Working together, this Board will confidently meet the challenges ahead.”

Vice Chair Williams thanked Chairman Jenkins and his fellow legislators for their efforts over the past two years, and also acknowledged the sacrifices made by families of the legislators, adding: “One thing the legislators here tonight, and those who have served before us here, can all agree on, though, is that being a legislator requires the highest level of purpose and accountability possible.”

The next regular meeting of the BOL is on Monday, January 23. Between now and then, legislators will be assigned to the eleven standing committees of the BOL and chairpersons for each of the committees will be announced.