Lahey chosen as Orange County Legislature chairman

Lahey chosen as Orange County Legislature chairman


Lahey
Former Orange County Legislature Majority Leader William Lahey yesterday was chosen on a party line vote as the new chairman of the lawmaking body. Republicans hold a one vote margin over Democrats and for the last two weeks, both parties were trying to come up with a compromise candidate.

Republicans Frank Fornario, Jr. and Spencer McLaughlin and Democrat Roxanne Donnery wanted the job.

Back room negotiations failed to produce a clear cut frontrunner so last week, Lahey expressed interest in the post and following quickly called party caucuses prior to the first session of the year yesterday, the dye was cast.

Lahey was nominated by Republican colleagues. Democrat Thomas Pahucki nominated McLaughlin. Another Democrat, Minority Leader Anthony Marino nominated fellow Democrat Roxanne Donnery. After that, McLaughlin withdrew. That left the 11 Republicans to vote for Lahey and the 10 Democrats to vote for Donnery.

Lahey is seen as a compromise candidate who will be able to work with both parties, which he mentioned in his brief remarks.

“It was the desire to resolve the issue within the Republican caucus that we solve this thing with the 11 of us and control the legislature as we should with 11,” he said.

Democrat Minority Leader Anthony Marino doesn’t anticipate ma jor problems with the new leadership. “There will certainly be issues that obviously where we’re going to part, but I don’t think over all it will be a difficult time dealing with Mr. Lahey,” he said.

County Executive Edward Diana expressed relief that the process is over. “I will work with all 21 legislators for the betterment of Orange County and the people that live and work here to make this a better county than it is today,” he said.

Marino will remain on as minority leader and McLaughlin will serve as interim ma jority leader.