Inauguration ceremonies were held throughout Westchester at the start of the New Year, as elected officials took their oaths of office after winning election last year. One of the most important inaugurations took place in Mt. Vernon at the Nellie Thorton High School, as Shawyn Patterson-Howard became the mayor of Mt. Vernon.
Patterson-Howard takes office as Mt. Vernon saw the resignation of Mayor Richard Thomas last year, and continued infighting between members of the City Council and the comptroller. Patterson-Howard gave an upbeat speech after her swearing-in by Judge Kathie Davidson, saying: “I need you to know and pray that I’m always going to do what’s needed to be done in the best interests of Mount Vernon. We have to choose hope over fear and collaboration over confrontation. We have to choose passion over pettiness. Mt Vernon is about to shine and gleam again.”
In attendance was U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, who called Patterson-Howard’s inauguration “a great day for Mt. Vernon.” State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins was also in attendance, and said, “She will serve the people of Mt. Vernon in a way that it’s never been never done before.”
Patterson-Howard has the support, and prayers, of many democrats and elected officials across Westchester, with the hope that she will be given the opportunity to lead the city to great achievements.
In the Town of Yorktown, Supervisor Matt Slater also took the oath of office this month for his first term, and Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner took the oath for another term. Harrison Supervisor Ron Belmont and Eastchester Supervisor Anthony Colavita also took oaths for another term leading their communities.
