Westchester County Executive George Latimer introduced legislation to the Westchester County Board of Legislators to recognize Andrew J. Spano, Westchester’s seventh County Executive, by naming the Westchester County Archives and Records Center in his honor. The building is proposed to be named the Andrew J. Spano County Archives and Records Center. The dedication is part of Latimer’s ongoing effort to pay homage and respect to his predecessors in Westchester County Government.
Latimer said: “As I close my seventh year as Westchester County Executive, I feel a sense of pride in recognizing the accomplishments of the leaders who came before me. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Andy and his family, and it is my hope that as people pass this County building, they will think of him fondly for all that he achieved for the people of Westchester.”
Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Andy Spano was the kind of leader we all aspire to be – an executive, a mentor, and a friend. He cared about making a difference in the lives of Westchester’s residents, but he also cared very much about his colleagues in County government. Andy is truly deserving of this prestigious honor, and today we recognize him for his lasting contributions as County Executive.”
Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Vedat Gashi said: “This is a well-deserved honor to a great man, and a great former County Executive and Yorktown’s own Andy Spano. Thank you County Executive Latimer for introducing this piece of legislation and thank you, Andy for your many years of service to Westchester County and New York State.”
Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni said: “Andy Spano is best known for twelve amazing years as our County Executive. But, his public service began as first a teacher and then as an amazing County Clerk. As Clerk, Andy was a true visionary, automating an antiquated recording system and bringing about a true, important public understanding of the then obscure work the Clerk’s office performed. This is a truly deserving honor.”
Westchester County Historical Society Executive Director Barbara Davis said: “The Westchester County Historical Society is forever grateful to Andy Spano for including the WCHS operations in the development of the Records Center. As a result of his keen vision, the preservation, protection and promotion of the County’s extraordinary history is secure for all generations.”
Former Westchester Deputy Executive and Former Director of Communications Susan Tolchin said: “Andy was County Clerk and I was Greenburgh Town Clerk when, as a history buff, he turned the Records Center (as it was known then) into a showplace where anyone would be welcome to learn about the growth of the County. He created a volunteer corps to help residents search for the records they needed. And he gave a home to the Westchester County Historical Society. Later, as County Executive, when he asked me to join his Administration, I knew he would bring change to a County that had been stagnant for years. He well deserves this honor, and I thank County Executive George Latimer for publicly recognizing Andy’s legacy.”
Former Westchester Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz said: “I want to thank County Executive George Latimer and the County Legislature in recognizing Andy Spano’s many contributions to the people of Westchester County both as County Clerk and County Executive. During his term as County Clerk, some of Andy’s initiatives included creating a County Archives in the Records Center, in addition to introducing technology to the County Clerk’s office by implementing digital copies of Westchester’s most critical records. As a history buff, Andy always understood and appreciated the importance and value of recording and preserving the History of Westchester County. This will serve as part of his unsung legacy both as County Clerk and as Westchester’s County Executive.”
Former Westchester County Executive Andy Spano said: “Today I am really, really happy. And I’m happy for this reason, not because my name is on a building. I’m just really happy that the County thought of doing this, that the County did this for me, and that you all came today. Thank you so much.”
Spano served three terms as County Executive from 1998 through 2009. During his administration, he oversaw the implementation of many programs that improved the quality of life for Westchester’s residents, including protecting the environment, encouraging affordable housing, combating domestic violence and enhancing public safety. Spano is credited with tripling the County’s New Homes Land Acquisition Fund, which helped builders of affordable housing overcome the high cost of land. Spano also created the County’s Domestic Violence Legal Program, a nationally-recognized center where women could obtain orders of protection, legal representation and child support.
Spano served as County Clerk from 1982 through 1994, and it was during that time he is credited with expanding the County’s record management program to include an archive, and digitizing the County’s most critical records. Once County Executive, Spano continued this work, helping to shepherd the creation of the County’s Virtual Archives, and the renovation of the Archives and Records Center.
The introduction to this legislation follows Latimer’s naming of the Andrew P. O’Rourke Westchester County Trailway, and the rededication of the Edwin G. Michaelian County Office Building.
