January 8, 2007

BOARD UNANIMOUSLY ELECTS YOUNG AS VICE CHAIR
---Veteran Lawmaker Assumes Leadership Position---

Contact: Betsy DeSoye, Director of Communications, (914) 995-3277

At its meeting this evening, the Westchester County Board of Legislators elected County Legislator Clinton I. Young, Jr. (D-I, Mt. Vernon) the Board’s Vice Chair.

“I am honored that I was chosen by my peers on both sides of the aisle as the Board’s Vice Chair,” Young said. “I know the ropes and intend to use my eleven years of experience as a County Legislator to work with both caucuses to move our mutual agenda forward.

I look forward to working closely with our Board Chair, Bill Ryan. I fully appreciate and will fulfill my responsibility as Vice Chair to support the Chairman in his work to promote efficient operation the Board’s policies.”

Clinton I. Young, Jr. was first elected as the 13th District’s County Legislator in 1995. In 1998, Young was chosen as the Majority Whip and in 2002 he became the first African American to hold the position of Majority Leader, one of the Board’s highest leadership positions. In addition to his diligence on budgetary matters and policy issues, Young has remained vigilant on such issues as fair labor practices, environmental justice and increased participation of women and minority owned business enterprises and has supported extensive legislation to promote economically challenged areas in Westchester. Young currently serves as Chair of the Legislation Committee.

In other action, Christina Seckerson, who has worked for the Board for 27 years and is currently Acting Clerk of the Board, was elected as the Board’s Clerk. In addition, the Board voted to hold a Special Election on February 13th to fill the seat vacated by former County Legislator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.