A sharp contrast was drawn by a number of speakers between the Trump Administration’s efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and Westchester County government’s efforts to provide seats at the table for a full range of people during the public inauguration ceremony for Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins on March 30.
The event took place at Westchester Community College in Valhalla. The oath of office was administered by Hon. Kathie E. Davidson, dean of the NYS Judicial Institute as Jenkins’ wife Deborah held the Bible on which Jenkins had placed his left hand. Two of their three children were present.
Jenkins, who was elected to serve the remainder of the term of George Latimer who was elected to Congress, has become the tenth Westchester County executive and the first Black person to hold the office.
Dr. Belinda Miles, president of WCC, made a welcoming speech and noted that the college and Jenkins think alike when it comes to promoting the value of education and providing opportunities.
New York State Sen. Shelley Mayer served as MC for the event, which featured bagpipers from the Emerald Society Pipes and Drums as well as flags brought in for display by the Westchester County Police Department Color Guard. Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni led the Pledge of Allegiance. Invocations were delivered by Bishop Troy P. DeCohen and Imam Shaffieq Chace.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul was a featured speaker, and recalled that election night 2024 was a difficult night for Democrats but having Jenkins as county executive and George Latimer representing New York’s 16th Congressional District gives her important allies in her fights against the Trump Administration.
Hochul pointed to the Social Security Administration’s plan to close the White Plains Hearing Office as a sign that the Trump Administration doesn’t care about seniors in Westchester. Hochul said that the administration takes the attitude “we don’t care about your seniors. They can go miles, and miles, and miles to get help from Social Security because we really don’t care about them and we don’t care about the 40 or 50 people who work there either.”
Hochul noted that Jenkins and Latimer offered Social Security alternative space for the office in White Plains but the offer was quickly rejected.
“They wanted to inflict pain on our people and that’s the only thing I can conclude,” Hochul said. “This era calls for strong leaders that people can believe in again, and that’s what we have to deliver with leaders like Ken Jenkins and George Latimer and everyone else because we have the backs of our people. We know who we’re fighting for, and we’ll never, ever surrender to anyone — not here, not now, not ever.”
Hochul said that Westchester County is known for exceptional teachers in schools. She pledged to continue to fight for childcare, downtown revitalization, and investments in Metro-North.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the ceremony and having Jenkins as county executive marked a great day for Westchester and for the country’s democracy.
“This democracy is an amazing thing,” Schumer said. “Someone’s trying to take it away right now and we’re gonna keep it, we’re gonna keep it.”
Schumer reminded people of the tradition in the U.S. that people ” stand in quiet dignity, go inside the polling place, and do our duty. Until Trump came along, everyone abided by the decision. Everyone. And that’s an amazing thing. We’re going to get that back.”
Latimer said, “Anyone can say what they want about DEI. We live it every day.” He then recognized Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of the 17th Congressional District who was in the audience.
Latimer praised Jenkins for being a good partner when Latimer was county executive and Jenkins was deputy county executive. He pointed out that Jenkins worked in promoting affordable housing in the county, helped bring in a new family court facility, and helped bring about successful negotiations of union contracts.
“The great part about Westchester County, we’d love to say it was true everywhere, is that if you were Black, Latino, Asian, Muslim, if you’re male or female, or you have an identification in the LGBTQ community, whatever your religion is, in this county you’ve got a seat at the table,” Latimer said.
Jenkins, who has said he will run for a full four-year term in November, looked to the future in his remarks.
“The work is just beginning. But we will not falter. We will rise to the challenge because, here in Westchester, we vote with our hearts, we vote with our heads, and we vote to enact laws that protect, defend, and uplift one another. We will not be divided. In Westchester, we respond and not react. Together, we will build a future that reflects the values we hold dear. The road ahead is long, but the strength and determination of this community will guide us every step of the way.”
The program included video messages from U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, and Westchester County Democratic Committee Chair Suzanne Berger spoke. There was a poetry reading by Westchester County Poet Laureate Phylisha Villanueva, as well as a performance by the Calvary Baptist Church Youth Choir. Benedictions were delivered by Arun Bhagirath from the Hindu Temple of Tri-State and Rabbi Leora Frankel of Larchmont Temple.
