ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – A longtime Tompkins County lawmaker is eager to get to work.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the Legislature had its first meeting of the year. After Legislator Shawna Black was appointed as Chair, Legislator Deborah Dawson was chosen unanimously as Vice Chair. Due to redistricting, the Legislature has grown to 16 seats.

Dawson says she hopes to help her eight new colleagues hit the ground running this year.

Dawson, who is beginning her third term as a county lawmaker, was elected in a write-in campaign after reversing her decision to retire. She previously cited economic uncertainty at the federal and state levels of government, as well as high turnover in county government as reasons to continue serving.

You can watch Tuesday’s full meeting of the Tompkins County Legislature here.