On January 1, 2024, the Town of Yorktown held a special inauguration ceremony to swear in elected officials for new terms. The ceremony took place in the afternoon and included the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, an opening prayer, remarks from Congressman Mike Waller, the swearing-in of five officials, and a closing prayer. The event emphasized family, community, and dedication to public service.
Good afternoon, everybody, and thank you all for coming out on this uh special day and happy new years and uh to everybody and health and happiness in 2024. Um we're gonna start uh the uh proceedings today by uh having Alex Madero from uh the BFW post 8328. Alex, please come up and whatever everybody can stand, please say we're saying the legal legions. Happy new year, everyone. There we go. Our nation under God in his role with liberty and justice. I just want to say congratulations to everyone. Thank you, Alex. Thank you very much. If you don't mind all stand, just continue to stand. We're gonna have uh Sean Riley come up and sing the national anthem. Sean, where are you, Sean? I know I saw you earlier. Here you are. And the rock is regular Gap through the night, not a flock was still the same last spangled of the law of the free and the home of watching Sean. Thank you so much. Great job as usual. Thank you, Sean. All right, everybody, if you be seated, that would be great. Next I'm going to uh have the opening prayer uh by uh Rabbi Aber, sir. Our sages teach us to pray for the well-being of the government. It is due to the presence of an upright system of government that law and order is established and that civilians are assured their freedoms and safety. Particularly at a time when a lack of moral clarity seems to pervade our world. The need for leaders of strength and courage is so vital. May all the distinguished men and women serving in public service across our nation maintain the goal for which our country was established, namely that it be one nation under God and divisible with liberty and justice for all. At the same time, may we, the people, find the strength to hold steadfast to these time-honored values and principles that have made our society so decent and upstanding. There are seven universal laws of morality given by God to humanity since the biblical times of Noah. These are the foundations of a moral and upright society. They include the belief in God, not killing, not stealing, sexual morality, and establishing governments with the power to enforce proper conduct. Our trust in God and belief that we are all created in his image allows us to be treated and to treat others with equality. Ribone, oh let me master of the universe. Please grant wisdom, understanding and knowledge to those who hold the power to make decisions on behalf of this town and its inhabitants. Please guide them in their valuable work in the service of our community. May they always possess the integrity and strength to maintain to remain dedicated to the cause of protecting and defending the rights and freedoms of all. And in return, may they and their families be blessed with health, happiness, and success in all they do. O sa shalomi Rama Huya Sesha Lomalayu. May he who makes peace in the heavens make peace make peace for us and the entire world and let us say Amen. Amen. Thank you, Rabbi. Next, I just kind of I would not it's not in the uh program here, but I would like to invite uh Congressman Waller, who's here for a few quick words. Thank you, Senator Murphy, and good morning, everyone. Uh it's great to be here in Yorktown. I wanted to just stop by and congratulate uh Supervisor Diana, a councilman Lockerman, a councilman Murphy, uh, and Judge Raniolo and town clerk plus for uh winning uh a term uh of office and being willing and able to serve. Uh local government is critically important, and while a lot of focus uh often is paid to uh what goes on at the federal and state level, having a competent people in local government uh who can serve the community in which they live uh is important. And I know uh having over the last year worked with uh Tom closely and Ed and Patrick and the town board uh that they do a phenomenal job here in Yorktown, uh, and really it is an honor uh along with my colleague in state government, assemblyman Matt Slater, uh, to represent Yorktown and to work with all of you to address the needs of our citizens here, our residents here. So uh it's just an honor to stop by uh and congratulate all of you and look forward to working with you over the course of the next year. God bless, enjoy the day, happy new year. Thank you, Congressman Waller. Um, at this point, I do want to, before I forget to acknowledge a few people, I do know we have uh the greatest police force in New York State sitting with us, our Yorktown police force, and this doesn't happen without uh the employees of the town of Yorktown that uh you know that it's where the rubber meets the road. These guys make came in here on their days off and set the stage and made sure that the doors were open on a day when they could be home, uh sitting at home with their families.