Jenkins sworn in as acting county executive

In a ceremony at the County Executive’s Office on the ninth floor of the Westchester County Office Building in White Plains on Jan. 6, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins was sworn in as acting county executive. District Administrative Judge Anne Minihan of State Supreme Court in Westchester administered the oath of office to Jenkins as his wife, Deborah Hudson-Jenkins, held a bible on which Jenkins had rested his left hand. County Clerk Tim Idoni presided at the ceremony.

Shortly before the swearing-in, Jenkins was selected by the County Board of Legislators to serve as acting county executive until a special election is held on Feb. 11 to fill the balance of George Latimer’s term. Latimer resigned as county executive to become a member of Congress representing New York’s 16th Congressional District. Jenkins was chosen as acting county executive by a 16 to 0 vote of the board, which in a previous 16 to 0 vote set Feb. 11 as the date for a special election to fill the office of county executive for the balance of Latimer’s term. In November, there will be an election for a full four-year term as county executive. Jenkins has already declared his interest in seeking the position.

“I am deeply honored and humbled at the confidence placed in me by all of you,” Jenkins said. “Westchester is my home and I’ve dedicated my life to making it a place where every resident has an opportunity to thrive. The challenges ahead require all of us to work together, every community, every leader and every resident in our great county.”

Jenkins thanked Richard Wishnie, the county’s emergency services commissioner, who served for a few days as acting county executive until the Board of Legislators could meet and make its selection.

“I pledge to continue to lead with integrity, transparency and a deep commitment to the values that make Westchester so unique,” Jenkins said. “The special election scheduled for Feb. 11 is an important opportunity for the people of Westchester to have their voices heard and I’m encouraging everyone to engage in that democratic process and make your vote count.”

During his remarks at the swearing-in ceremony, Jenkins recalled that both his father and mother engaged in public service. His father was a police officer and his mother was a nurse.

“They just didn’t go to work. They served their neighbors and their communities,” Jenkins said. “From them I learned a very simple lesson but a profound truth: if we want change we have to be the ones to make that happen. Service is not just a responsibility. It’s a calling. Those early lessons of integrity, hard work and compassion are the very principles that have guided me throughout my life and career in the private and public sector.”