The Cayuga County Legislature is under new leadership.聽
Legislator Jonathan Anna, I-Sterling, was elected chair at the Legislature's reorganizational meeting Thursday. He succeeds Legislator Aileen McNabb-Coleman, D-Sennett, who served three terms as chair in 2020-21 and 2024.聽
Anna was nominated by Legislator Heidi Nightengale, D-Auburn, who will serve as vice chair. Both received bipartisan support for their nominations, with the Legislature unanimously voting to approve their one-year appointments.聽
Legislator Elane Daly, D-Auburn, will be the majority leader. Legislator Mark Strong, R-Moravia, will continue as minority leader.聽
Speaking after the leadership votes, Anna acknowledged the challenges the county must address in the new year. Three departments, including social services, will be relocating to 63 Genesee St. due to the closure of the Cayuga County Office Building. There is also ongoing work to assess the shuttered building's condition and balance the county budget.聽
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"As I assume this role of chairman of the Legislature, I am making a commitment to work to represent all of us on this legislative board, to support our county workforce, while protecting the interests of the taxpayers who voted to place us in office," Anna said. "I want you to know that I plan to focus on our immediate needs while always keeping the lines of communication open."聽
Anna is a retired Onondaga County sheriff's deputy who lives in the town of Sterling with his son. He was elected to the county Legislature in 2023 and represents District 1, which includes the towns of Ira, Sterling and Victory.聽
In his first year as a legislator, Anna chaired the Legislature's Judicial and Public Safety Committee. He was among the legislators who were vocal about the need to be fiscally responsible after past budgets used millions from the county's fund balance.聽
Anna plans to announce the oversight committee assignments by the end of the week. He noted the Legislature has a lot of work to do and "it won't be easy."聽
In closing his remarks, Anna read a Winston Churchill quote that "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts."聽
"We will have that courage," he said.聽
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.