WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. From Westchester County Board of Legislators. January 7, 2008: At the organizational meeting starting the 2008-2009 legislative term, the County Board of Legislators elected Bill Ryan (D, I, WF-White Plains) to a third term as Board Chairman. Ryan, first elected to the County Board’s 5th District’s legislative seat in 1998, was first elected to the position of Chair in 2004, a leadership position he held for four years. Prior to that, he served as Vice Chair of the County Board and as Chair of the Committee on Public Safety. Ryan is the first legislator to be elected to a third term as Chair since the 1988 election of Ed Brady. Prior to that, Andy O'Rourke was elected to a third term as Chair in 1982.
The legislators also elected County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers) as the Board's Vice Chair. Previously, Kaplowitz chaired the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Environment Committee. Christina Seckerson was re-elected to the position of Clerk of the Board.
“I would like to thank my colleagues for giving me the privilege to serve as Chair for a third term. It is an honor to serve the people of this county as their leader of the legislature," said Ryan.
Ryan continued, "In recent years, we have been confronted with the toughest, most difficult issues and challenges to face our people. As the legislature, we've been in the thick of the action in all the major concerns. 2008 will be no different. We have a great story to tell and I believe we should use this 325th anniversary year to launch a program of education to let the people know what the county legislature does and exactly how well we do it. I will also ask the legislators to help me map out a course to explore ways we can improve how we operate."
In his remarks, Kaplowitz said, "Thank you to all my legislative colleagues for their show of support in my election as Vice Chairman of the County Board. I see the Vice Chairman position for what it is---a privilege and an opportunity."
During his address, Chairman Ryan welcomed newly elected legislators John Nonna (D-Mt. Pleasant), Lyndon Williams (D-Mount Vernon) and Peter B. Harckham (D-Bedford) to the Board. The meeting was attended by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
