Traditionally the swearing-in and reorganizational meeting for the Cayuga County Legislature is a dry, somewhat boring, affair - that was far from the case last Thursday.

Once new and re-elected legislators were sworn in, the real intrigue began. The legislative chamber was packed with supporters and opponents of both then-Chairman Raymond Lockwood, R-Aurelius, and his challenger, former Chairman Herb Marshall, R-Throop. They included political allies, the family members of several newly-elected legislators and a number of county officials.

The crowd spilled out into the hallway with onlookers, including county department heads and employees, contorting to hear how votes were cast. At one door, several individuals had what must now be seen as the ultimate racing form for the county, the weighted value list, of each of the 15 legislator's votes.

As the roll call of names was called, the silence became more deafening, until the sixth name was called, that of newly-elected Legislator Michele Sedor, D-Sennett, who explained why she was casting her 79 weighted votes for Marshall. Once she named her choice, even though nine legislators still had to cast their votes, the crowd knew the decision had been made, giving Marshall a weighted vote of 500, some 68 more than the majority he needed to win. One onlooker at the doorway commented with "that's it," while others crumpled their forms. As far as they were concerned the main show was over.

Mrs. Sedor's decisive vote has set the direction of leadership for the next 12 months, but she wasn't the only freshman making a notable debut last week. Legislator David Pappert, R-Auburn, was also in the thick of things with some carefully worded resolutions of his own regarding the issue that seemed to be the only publicly stated reasons for changing the chairman, the county's current budget troubles.

His amendments to restrain spending and curb new hires were slightly amended, but mainly to be more restrictive than less. Expect Mr. Pappert to be at the forefront of budget issues for some time.

At least three members in attendance had broad grins on their faces, when it came to the naming of a new chairman. Both Conservative Party Chair Greg Rigby and Independence Party Chair Gary Temple were in the chamber watching as their wish to remove Mr. Lockwood came to fruition. Conservative City Chairman Billy Kufs waited outside the chamber for word as to whether those who pledged that they would support a change in leadership in exchange for his party's endorsements would deliver. He was soon gratified to know that they had come through.

Mr. Cosentino is a former mayor of the City of Auburn. He can be e-mailed at cozguytho@aol.com.