Michael Kaplowitz, a Somers Democrat, was elected chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators in a 15-2 vote Monday.
Kaplowitz, the sole nominee, had the backing of a coalition majority made up of Kaplowitz, Yonkers Democrat Virginia Perez and the seven Republicans on the board. But most board Democrats also supported his leadership, with the only no votes coming from former Chairman Ken Jenkins, of Yonkers, and Greenburgh”™s Alfreda Williams, a failed nominee for vice chairwoman.
Kaplowitz said the board would focus on a cooperative spirit.
“That”™s a very high ideal because we”™re not going to agree on every issue,” he said after being sworn in. “That”™s not who we are as people.”
Since 1998, Kaplowitz has represented District 4, which encompasses parts of Somers, Yorktown and New Castle. He told legislators it was a “gift” to be named chairman.
“Whether it”™s your first term or it”™s your Nth term, please always remember, as of course you always will, that we are sent here to be a representative, to do our people”™s bidding,” he said.
New Rochelle Republican Jim Maisano became vice chairman in a much tighter 9-8 vote, with no Democrats outside of the coalition members supporting his candidacy.
Maisano, like Kaplowitz, came into office as a member of the so-called “Class of 1998” and has represented District 11 which includes part of New Rochelle and Pelham.
Maisano said the board was committed to legislative oversight of the county executive, Robert P. Astorino, a Republican who is exploring a gubernatorial run this year.
“And we look forward to working with all legislators together to make sure that we”™re a Board of Legislators that works together to write a check and balance on the county executive,” he said.
That came after some criticisms from former Chairman Jenkins, who in a letter to north county Democrats opposing the coalition leadership, said Kaplowitz was “carrying Astorino”™s water” during negotiations for the 2013 budget. Jenkins”™ four years as chairman were marked by static between the board”™s Democratic majority and the county executive, leading to Jenkins suing Astorino over what Jenkins felt were procedural decisions that overstepped the authority of the executive branch.
Jenkins sought to run as the Democratic candidate for county executive against Astorino last year, but lost the nomination to New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson. Astorino defeated Bramson in November, grabbing 56 percent of the total vote.
Monday”™s meeting of the board was the first for the new two-year legislative term, at which two new legislators joined the 17-member board for the first time. Rye”™s Catherine Parker and White Plains”™ Benjamin Boykin II, both Democrats, were sworn in, replacing Judy Myers and William Ryan, respectively. Both retiring legislators decided not to seek re-election in 2013.
