BOARD HONORS LEGISLATORS BOYKIN AND PARKER WITH DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD AT FINAL 2025 MEETING
Both Complete Service on County Board After Six Terms
On Monday, the Board of Legislators honored two outgoing legislators with the Westchester County Distinguished Service Award, the highest level of recognition the Board can bestow. The medals are awarded to individuals who have significantly benefited the general welfare and common good of the County through dedicated public service.
The honorees were Legislator Ben Boykin, District 5 (representing most of White Plains, all of Scarsdale, and West Harrison), and Legislator Catherine F. Parker, District 7 (representing Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye, and part of Harrison), both of whom will leave office at the end of the month, having reached term limits.
“I would like to extend my most heartfelt congratulations to my friends, Former Chair and Legislator Ben Boykin and Legislator Catherine Parker, on their well-deserved retirement from the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Their years of dedicated service, thoughtful leadership, and commitment to the people of Westchester have left a profound impact on our communities,” County Executive Ken Jenkins shared with Black Westchester.
Board Chairman Vedat Gashi (D–New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) said, “Transitions on the Board are always bittersweet, but the departure of these two outstanding legislators seems especially poignant.
Ben’s long service to the public is extraordinary. Serving as NYSAC’s 80th president and completing two terms as Chair of the Board during a period of tremendous change are accomplishments unlikely to be matched. He guided the legislature through the pandemic, ushering in technological advances that kept the Board’s work moving forward. He also led the first Board with majorities of women and people of color, and offered me, personally, invaluable mentorship.
Catherine has dedicated 18 years to public service—six years on Rye City Council, followed by six terms steadfastly representing District 7 on the Board. Her legislative leadership on environmental issues set a high standard for the future, improving quality of life for the Sound Shore towns she represents and all of Westchester—from advancing flood-control measures, to creating a County Office of Sustainability, to stewarding the management of Rye Playland, a cherished County gem.”
“I am humbled and honored to receive this prestigious award from the Westchester County Board of Legislators, the highest honor the Board bestows. My twelve-year tenure here has been historic and transformative in many respects as I led this Board as Chairman for four years from 2018–2021. I have enjoyed working with my colleagues and our outstanding staff to move our County forward. My service has been a labor of love, and I thank my constituents and all the residents of Westchester for allowing me to help make our County a better place to live, work, and enjoy,” Legislator Benjamin Boykin II said.
“It has been the honor and privilege of my life to have served as the County Legislator for the 7th District these last 12 years. So many individuals and local organizations have shown me over my tenure that we can achieve so much when we come together to tackle problems like climate change, affordability, and flooding. I leave office knowing government can be a force for good, and feeling that the legacy I leave shows the next generation that we were thinking of them as we made our policy decisions,” Legislator Catherine F. Parker said.
The legislators’ colleagues included enthusiastic statements of gratitude for the leadership, friendship, and institutional knowledge both legislators freely gave throughout the years, noting in particular their steadfast leadership in County government during the COVID-19 pandemic. Immediately following the celebration, the Board of Legislators convened a special meeting to vote on the 2026 Budget.
Watch the full Regular Meeting below.
“During his tenure, both as legislator and Chair of the Board, Legislator Boykin guided his colleagues through complex budget cycles, COVID, and advanced policies that strengthened County Services. Legislator Parker’s deep commitment to the sound shore communities and strong advocacy on quality-of-life issues made a meaningful difference to the residents she served. As they begin this next chapter, I offer my sincere gratitude for their partnership and tireless effort on behalf of the people of Westchester. We wish them continued success and fulfillment in all that they do,” CE Jenkins shared in closing.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators is the policy-making branch of county government, serving one million residents. The 17-member Board allocates funds, approves the budget, and manages taxes, in addition to passing local laws, acts, and resolutions. It is the longest-running elected body in New York, with a history of over 300 years. Learn more by visiting www.westchesterlegislators.com.
