Bruce Blakeman Sworn In As Nassau County Executive

GARDEN CITY, NY — On Monday, Bruce Blakeman was sworn in as the 10th Nassau County executive at a ceremony at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.

Also sworn into office were Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips and Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell. There was a crowd of 400 people in attendance for the ceremony.

"My vision for Nassau County is for us to become the most exciting and vibrant place to live," Blakeman said. "Not just in America, but in the world. We will dare to be bold. We will leave no community behind."

Blakeman also reiterated his decision not to enforce Gov. Kathleen Hochul's mask mandate, despite a surge of coronavirus cases across Long Island.

“Government has an important role in giving people options to create a healthier environment," he said. "But government should not act in a heavy-handed way by curtailing important constitutional rights, such as the right of patients and their physicians to make healthcare decisions.”

Blakeman was criticized by Democrats in the Nassau County Legislature for the large gathering he held for his inauguration.

“At a time when Long Island’s positivity rate continues to soar, it would have been most prudent to postpone this ceremonial gathering in the interest of preventing a potential super-spreader event," said William Biamonte, the chief of staff for the Democrats in the Legislature. "However, the county executive chose to proceed, and we hope that everyone who attended took every possible precaution to protect themselves and others.”

Blakeman's wife, Segal Blakeman, administered his oath of office.