Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman took his oath of office on Monday evening, along with running mates Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell and Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, to begin his second term in office.
The event was held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City Park. It featured an array of high-profile speakers, including Nassau County Republican Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr., Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, and several respected clergy officials from the Nassau community.
County Executive Blakeman was preceded in the swearing-in process by Maureen O’Connell and Elaine Phillips, who thanked Nassau County residents for their support and promised to work hard as they enter their new terms.
“As the Nassau County Clerk, I faced many challenges, and thanks to the dedication and hard work of an outstanding staff, we made great strides in achieving an efficient and modern Clerk’s office. I am proud of all we have accomplished, and in my next term, I look forward to continuing to advance my priorities for the office on behalf of the residents of Nassau County,” O’Connell said.
“I’m confident that Nassau County and, most importantly, our residents are better off as a result of our work,” Phillips added. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished – and even more proud of how we’ve accomplished it: by listening, learning, and delivering real results with professionalism.”
Following a rousing introduction by GOP Chairman Cairo, County Executive Blakeman was sworn in by his wife, Judge Segal Blakeman. He reflected on his first term in office and reaffirmed his commitment to Nassau County and its residents.
“The election is over. Now, we have to govern. I was blessed to receive so many votes – not just Republican votes, not just Conservative votes, but Independent voters and Democrats who believe in what we’re doing here in Nassau County,” County Executive Blakeman said. “I’m on a journey. I don’t know where that path will end. Wherever I may travel, wherever I may go, whatever I may do, my heart will always be here in Nassau County.”
Wasting no time in getting to work, County Executive Blakeman took the opportunity at the conclusion of the ceremonies to sign a new law that protects houses of worship and their attendees from being targeted by protestors.
“I sign this on behalf of every religious institution here in the County of Nassau. You know how I feel about religious freedom and the ability for people to be able to worship in their mosque, their church, their synagogue, and their temple. And therefore, we will protect those institutions, and we will protect people’s rights to worship freely here in Nassau County,” he stated.
CREDIT: Nassau County Press Release