At noon today, the entire 39 members of the County Legislature was sworn into office for another four years. The room was packed with family and well-wishers with every one represented from the Tea Party to the Progs. (Personally, I didn’t see any OAers there though Higgins was representing his newest constituents when being personally sworn in by Judge Keefe.)

Let me introduce you to Albany’s new County Ledge (I know it drives Mr. Horstmyer crazy when I call it the Ledge!)

1^st District: Luci McKnight - D

2^nd District: Merton Simpson - D

3^rd District: Virginia Maffia-Tobler - D

4^th District: Norma Chapman - D

5^th District: Christopher Higgins - D

6^th District: Noelle Kinsch - D

7^th District: Doug “Bullhorn” Bullock - D

8^th District: Don Rahm - D

9^th District: Justin Corcoran (I just like saying that name!) - D

10^th District: Gary Domalewicz - D

11^th District: Frank Commisso – King D

12^th District: William Clay - D

13^th District: Raymond Joyce - D

14^th Distrcit: Phil Steck - D

15^th District: Bob Beston - D

16^th District: Sean Ward - D

17^th District: Shawn Morse - D

18^th District: Gil Ethier - D

19^th District: Tim Nichols - D

20^th District: Dave Mayo - D

21^st District: Brian Hogan - R

22^nd District: Peter Tunny - R

23^rd District: Rich Jacobson - D

24^th District: Peter Crouse - D

25^th District: Joe O’Brien - D

26^th District: Patty Lockart - R

27^th District: Christine Benedict - R

28^th District: Dennis Feeney - D

29^th District: Lee Carman - R

30^th District: Bryan Clenahan - D

31^st District: Travis Stevens - R

32^nd District: Mary Lou Connolly - D

33^rd District: Herb Reilly - D

34^th District: Tom Cotrofeld, Jr. - D

35^th District: Charlie Dawson - D

36^th District: Rich Mendick – C (caucuses with the GOP)

37^th District: Peter Clouse - R

38^th District: Michael Mackey - D

39^th District: Deborah Busch – R

After the swearing in, Sean Ward became the temporary Chair to select the Chairman of the County Legislature which, as we know, is pre-ordained, Shawn Morse…still, it was kinda cut to watch Mr. Ward acting in an official capacity. The first nomination was put forth by Mr. Ethier who, if you remember with me, was in the running for the Chairman’s position early on…his nomination was for Shawn Morse with whom he shares a geography.

In a surprise move, Ms. Benedict, Minority Leader of the County Legislature nominated Patty Lockart, a GOPer entering her second term representing the Colonie area and an area which was previously represented by Ms. Lockart’s mother. Hey, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…if you don’t have anyone willing to lead in a party why have the party at all. I was very pleased to see the GOP nomination.

In a squeaker, Ms. Lockart lost the vote along party lines, 28 to 10 but it was a dignified loss. Maybe next time the majority can’t claim a bi-partisan ordination in campaign materials. Unanimously approved were the staff sitting at the helm of this legislative ship, Paul, Liz and Jamie.

Of note, Mr. Morse’s acceptance speech was, I hear…a stunner…it had everything…everything to razzle dazzle a bipartisan crowd, unfortunately, he left that speech at his County Legislative desk so, when he got to the Chair…he had to ad lib. It actually was kind of sweet and for the first time since I’ve known Morse, his speech humanized him...he thanked his family, his beautiful wife, his Dad and his Mom who is no longer with us. Morse, choking up just a little bit, told the audience, he works so hard for her…his Mom.

(Honestly, I never thought of Mr. Morse as having a Mom.)