Symbolic of the changes wrought by the November election, the induction ceremony for the Nassau County Legislature was chaired by New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, a Democrat. "It is important for New York State that Nassau County be strong," he told the enthusiastic audience at Nassau Community College. "When the perception of government goes from bad to worse, it's bad for all of us in both parties. You are the part of government that is closest to the people. You make a tangible impact on them and you must use that power. The problems of Nassau County are not Republican problems or Democratic problems but problems of all the people." Despite the current fiscal problems of the county, McCall concluded, "the economy is strong and it's a great place to live. Good luck and God speed."

County Executive Thomas Gulotta received a lukewarm reception when he was introduced but it changed to cheering when he called Judy Jacobs, Democratic majority leader, and Peter Schmitt, minority leader, to join him at the microphone. Holding their hands high, he said: "This is the secret of success. This is the bond we must forge." He predicted a new beginning for Nassau County in this new millennium, saying that there is a sense of hope, a sense of optimism. "Political parties don't solve problems," he said. "People solve problems."

United States Senator Charles Schumer also acknowledged that Nassau County has had its problems of late. "It's a time of crisis, true," he said, "but it's a great day--great for the legislators, great for their families and a great day for Nassau County." He warned the legislators: "Don't do what has been done in D.C. in the last decade where partisanship has ruled. And don't rush. It's better to do it right than to do it fast."

United States Congressman Peter King administered the oath of office to Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt. Acknowledging the enthusiastic Democratic audience, King jokingly thanked them for asking him to speak at "this Democratic convention." Schmitt spoke of the accomplishments of the legislature in its four years of existence, giving credit to the former majority leader, Bruce Blakeman, who lost his bid for re-election in November. The establishment of a Breast Cancer Center was one of the past legislature's most important actions, he said, adding that anti-tobacco legislation was another. Although he would have preferred to see a Republican majority continue on the legislature, Schmitt said, "the people have spoken."

When her turn came to speak, Majority Leader Judy Jacobs, who had been cheered enthusiastically by the largely partisan crowd, pulled no punches. "If the message of the voters is ignored, more than the political future of any one politician will be put in peril. Much more is at stake because, if that message is ignored, Nassau County risks becoming a textbook case of how a county rich in resources can, nevertheless, find its fiscal future in serious doubt. And even more devastating, if that message is ignored, the hopes of Nassau's children, the care of its elderly and the expectations and needs of all its residents will become only tattered remnants of a prouder and more promising past."

She concluded: "I pledge to the people of Nassau County that we will confront the challenges ahead of us with determination and with a humility of spirit. You the people have given us the mandate to bring this county back to the financially secure, socially progressive beacon that it has always been known for. I ask that we be given the wisdom to see and the strength to endure as you, the people, have given us the right to prevail."