On Jan. 4, Assemblyman Matthew Slater was sworn into office in Albany with other newly elected members of the Assembly Republican Conference. Slater will be representing the 94th Assembly District and is fully prepared for the upcoming legislative session to focus on issues such as eliminating cashless bail and lowering state taxes.
“I deeply appreciate the trust placed in me by the voters of Westchester and Putnam counties, and I’m proud to be their voice in state government. With rising crime and a $300 million projected budget deficit, New York state faces tremendous challenges. As town supervisor, I cut both spending and taxes to protect local residents and partnered with law enforcement to make Yorktown one of America’s safest towns. I look forward to applying that experience in the state Legislature to make New York state a better place to live, work and raise a family. We have a lot to do and, with the start of the new legislative session, I’m excited that it is finally time to get to work.”
Slater replaces Kevin Byrne in Assembly District 94. Byrne took the oath as Putnam County Supervisor on Dec. 30. at Carmel High School’s Casey Hall. Byrne took the Oath of Office among hundreds of attendees from the community, surrounded by family. A lifelong county resident, and graduate of Carmel High School, Byrne comes to the office after 3 terms of service as the county’s New York State Assemblyman.
“As County Executive, I will ensure our mission is to deliver a responsible, affordable, accountable government that serves us all and continues to put the people of Putnam County first,” said County Executive Byrne. “I remain grateful to all those who served, and continue to serve, in county government who have led with a desire to better this community so it may continue to prosper. Together, we will continue to promote opportunity, freedom, and respect for one another.”
The oath of office was administered by former Dutchess County Executive and current Congressman Marc Molinaro following a presentation of the colors by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Cadets, Carmel Troop 1 Boy Scouts (where Byrne earn the rank of Eagle Scout as a high school student), and the Putnam County Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol.
They were escorted in by a contingent of the Steven P. Driscoll Memorial Pipe Band (of which Byrne is a founding member) on the bagpipes, immediately followed by the Pledge of Allegiance lead by military veterans Karl Rhode (US Army, Ret), James Burpoe (US Army, Ret), and County Executive Byrne’s brother Christopher Byrne (US Air Force).
The national anthem was sung by Putnam County Sheriff’s Cadet Veronika Bilinski, an invocation was given by Reverend Casey Carbone of First Presbyterian Church of Mahopac, and the benediction was given by Rabbi Sarah Freidson of Temple Beth Shalom of Mahopac.
