New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec takes his oath of office before an audience of Sloatsburg Elementary students on January 16 / Photo courtesy Ramapo Central Schools
Sloatsburg Elementary students got a front-row glimpse of government in action as witnesses of the ceremonial swearing-in of New York State Assemblymember Karl Brabenec in their school gymnasium on January 16.
Brabenec replaced fellow Republican Annie Rabbitt, who resigned from the assembly in January 2014 to become Orange County clerk. The race to replace Rabbit was tight, with Brabenec winning against Democratic challenger Elisa Tutini of Monroe after a near forensic post-election examination of absentee and other ballots. Brabenec, the former Deerpark town supervisor, was declared the winner by 37 votes.
Assemblyman Brabenec officially sworn-in at SES by Mr. Tom Bollatto, Jr., Village Clerk; Mayor Wright also attended. pic.twitter.com/SMVZ8kpWhN
— Joe Lloyd (@SESPirates) January 16, 2015
Sloatsburg Elementary 3rd through 5th grade students attended the brief ceremony in the school’s auditorium — Sloatsburg was honored with the ceremony due to its central location in the slice of Ramapo that makes up the Rockland County part of Brabenec’s Assembly District 98. District 98 stretches along the southern Orange County border from Tuxedo up through Port Jervis. Sloatsburg Village Clerk and Ramapo Central Board of Education member Thomas Bollatto, Jr. administered the oath of office.
Senora Duke’s FLES students created and dedicated their own class books to Mrs. Callinan and our school Library… pic.twitter.com/xKylBvqaAs
— Joe Lloyd (@SESPirates) January 22, 2015
Principal Joseph Lloyd explained to students that in his new role representing the 98th District, Assemblyman Brabenec will work at the state level as “a critical thinker and problem solver for many Rockland and Orange County citizens.”
For his part, Assemblymember Brabenec reflected on his experience and offered students advice.
“When I was Town Supervisor of Deerpark, lots of people came to me asking for help. Most of the time, there was something I can do—you always have to make the effort. Be friendly, be positive and do your best to help your neighbors and you will be successful,” he said. “Thank you for sharing this special moment with me.”
@SESPirates Riya from #Sloatsburg shows her #RCSDMountiePride with a snowy caterpillar and a math challenge pic.twitter.com/2FdKn2bsm3
— Lisa Weber ASI (@LisaWeberASI) January 27, 2015
Thanks to the Ramapo Central School District for some of the information and photos used in this article.
