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The Tompkins County Legislature made history Tuesday night in electing Legislator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne (D-Ithaca) to serve as its Chair for 2020. She is the first woman of color to fill the top elected leadership position in Tompkins County history.

The 9-5 vote in favor of McBean-Clairborne ended a stalemate that began at the January 7th organizational meeting, when neither Legislator Anna Kelles nor Mike Lane generated the necessary eight votes to become Chair. On February 7th, County Clerk Maureen Reynolds – as stipulated by the County Charter – appointed Legislator Shawna Black (D) as Interim Chair.

In presiding over the start of Tuesday's meeting, Black said she had appreciated the kindness and support she received during her 11 days as Chairperson, and then opened the floor to nominations. Legislator Kelles – who withdrew her interest in becoming Chair when she announced her candidacy for the 125th Assembly District seat – nominated McBean-Clairborne, calling her the 'soul of the Legislature,' noting she has served on every committee during her 20 years on the Legislature, including serving as Vice Chair.

Legislator Anne Koreman seconded McBean-Clairborne's nomination, urging her colleagues to 'make history tonight,' and move to elect the first person of color to serve as Chair of the County Legislature.

As was the case at previous meetings, Legislator Dan Klein nominated Mike Lane for Chair. The nomination was seconded by Legislator Henry Granison.

Voting in favor of Leslyn McBean-Clairborne were Legislators Shawna Black, Anne Koreman, Rich John, Martha Robertson, Anna Kelles, McBean-Clairborne and the three Republicans on the Legislature - Dave McKenna, Glenn Morey, and Mike Sigler.

Voting for Mike Lane were Legislators Amanda Champion, Deborah Dawson, Henry Granison, Dan Klein, and Lane.

An emotional McBean-Clairborne said she appreciated her colleagues' vote of confidence. "It tells me and others looking to serve that we are not colorblind and that we can embrace a career-minded, working-family person to serve on this body and even become its leader."

She went on to quote the former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan – who was the first woman, let alone black woman, elected to serve as a representative from Texas – "A spirit of harmony can only survive if each of us remembers, when bitterness and self-interest seem to prevail, that we share a common destiny."

By a vote of 13-1 (Rich John voting no), Legislator Shawna Black was elected Vice Chair for 2020. Black also served as Vice Chair in 2019.

Sigler, who served as temporary chair for over a month before Black was appointed, spoke highly of McBean-Clairborne at Wednesday's Town Board meeting, saying he has been friends with her and her husband for many years, and noted "our daughters kinda grew up together in the Legislature, which was kinda nice."

"A lot of people are (saying she is) the first African American to serve as the chairperson of the Tompkins County Legislature," Sigler said. "While that is important, that was not why I voted for Leslyn. I voted for Leslyn because she's incredibly competent, a very caring person and really just good at good at the work. I find her to be very in touch with her voters and her constituency and I appreciate that. And when I hear from her, I know that she's actually thought through the issue and she is somebody who I could disagree with without being disagreeable."

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