Westchester Reporter

In an ongoing effort to honor past leaders who have made substantial contributions to Westchester County, County Executive George Latimer rededicated the Edwin G. Michaelian Office Building in White Plains in honor of Edwin G. Michaelian. Michaelian, who served as Westchester’s fourth County Executive from 1958 to 1973, left office 50 years ago and is remembered for his impactful leadership.

Latimer will bestow the Edwin G. Michaelian Award for a Distinguished Public Official upon Nancy Kaboolian, the highest-ranking Armenian American elected official in Westchester, and the Edwin G. Michaelian Award for Public Service upon John M. Vorperian, Esq., for his contributions to Armenian history and culture in the county.

Latimer said: “I am proud to stand on the steps of the Edwin G. Michaelian County Office Building and recognize the great accomplishments of my predecessor. While we may have differed in our ideologies from administration to administration, each County Executive has used their time in office to create positive change for the people who call Westchester County home. I hope today’s rededication ceremony reminds us all of the great leader Edwin Michaelian was, and encourages us to follow in his footsteps.”

Kaboolian remarked: “As a person of Armenian descent, I am honored to be part of the rededication of the Michealian Building and to celebrate Armenian culture in Westchester County. All my grandparents and both of my parents were Armenian. I am proud of my Armenian heritage. I know that my desire to help asylum seekers when they came to Ardsley was inspired by my grandparents’ stories of immigration to this country and the lessons I learned from them. As Mayor of Ardsley, I love to celebrate our village’s diversity, so it is especially meaningful for me to celebrate my Armenian culture today.”

Vorperian added: “Ed Michaelian’s legacy remains a blueprint to all that seek Westchester’s betterment. A fearless advocate for the county in Albany and DC, a relentless recruiter for companies to make Westchester their home, a true conservationist securing acres of parks enjoyed by residents to this day. He acted locally and thought globally. Proud of his heritage, he helped found the Armenian Assembly of America which educates decision-makers in understanding vital issues important to our community. Kudos to County Executive George Latimer for honoring this legendary leader.”

Under Michaelian’s 16-year tenure, numerous projects and developments were launched that have had a lasting impact on the county. The new county courthouse was built, several large corporations made their headquarters in Westchester including IBM, Nestle, PepsiCo, Texaco, AT&T as well as smaller companies and retail stores.

Michaelian's plans for a new Westchester Medical Center at Grasslands were approved during his tenure; additionally more than 4,000 acres of parkland including Muscoot Farm and part of Ward Pound Ridge Reservation were acquired by the county under his leadership.

The Sprain Ridge Pool Complex opened in 1971 under his guidance; moreover he established the first sales tax for county government in 1972.

Since 1938 Westchester County has had nine County Executives with Latimer recently proposing naming the Westchester County Trailway after Andrew P O’Rourke intending also celebrating other former leaders pivotal roles within county history.

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