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Email: legclerk@co.rockland.ny.us

Hood Elected 2025 Chair Of Rockland County Legislature 

Paul Elected Vice Chairwoman

Soskin Named Second Vice Chair

Democrats Elect Wolfe As Majority Leader; Republicans Elect Hofstein As Minority Leader; Wieder Appointed Deputy Majority Leader; Sheridan Appointed Deputy Minority Leader

The Rockland County Legislature filled its 2025 leadership positions Tuesday night, reelecting Jay Hood Jr. as Chairman and Aney Paul as Vice Chairwoman. Phil Soskin was named Second Vice Chairman.

Democrats reelected Alden H. Wolfe as Majority Leader and Republicans reelected Lon M. Hofstein as Minority Leader. Aron Wieder was appointed Deputy Majority Leader and Raymond W. Sheridan III was appointed Deputy Minority Leader.

“I want to thank all of my Legislative colleagues for their confidence in my leadership abilities as we head into another year of serving Rockland County residents,” Chairman Hood said. “I also want to thank the County Executive and the rest of the Administration for their efforts. We have all tried hard to work together to bring the best outcomes for our residents. We enjoyed tremendous success last year and I am hopeful we can do even better this year.”

This marks the fourth consecutive year that Chairman Hood has been elected to serve as head of the 17-member board. He previously served as Vice Chairman and Majority Leader. He has served in the Legislature since 2007 and previously served on the Haverstraw Town Board.

Legislators voted to elect Legislator Paul as Vice Chairwoman for a fifth time. She was first elected in 2020 and previously served as Majority Leader.

Laurence O. Toole, the Clerk to the Legislature, was unanimously reappointed to a one-year term. He named Mary Widmer as Deputy Clerk to the Legislature.

All were sworn in by Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. County Clerk Donna Silberman oversaw the signing of the elected officials’ registry.

Chairman Hood offered some highlights of Legislative accomplishments in 2024 during its organizational meeting:

• A 2 percent County property tax cut for the second consecutive year, following a cut in 2024 and zero increases in 2023 and 2022.
• New affordable housing initiatives, including creation of an $13.5 million Housing Loan Fund in support of the creation or preservation of housing that is attainable to the average Rockland resident; and the redevelopment of existing county-owned property, including the Sain building, which will create new workforce housing for essential workers and generate nearly $500 million in property taxes annually.
• A funding increase of more than 21 percent between 2024 and 2025 - to $2.341 million - for nonprofits. This is due to the increased funding needs of nonprofits serving residents, who in turn are experiencing increased needs for services.
• A new $30 million capital project to install sidewalks in every legislative district in Rockland to help improve pedestrian safety.
• The preservation of more than 300 acres of open space.
• The awarding of $10 million to 24 Urban Green Space projects, bringing new or updated parks, playgrounds, gardens and walkways around Rockland.
• The renewed Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management to drive the conservation and sustainability measures necessary to safeguard our water supply. Chaired by County Legislator Beth Davidson.
• Creation of the new Health & Wellness Committee to help promote awareness, support preventative behaviors, and encourage action when necessary for the betterment of Rockland County Residents. Chaired by Legislative Vice Chairwoman Dr. Aney Paul.
• Bipartisan Passage of Rockland County Volunteer Benefit Act. Awards up to $1 million to the families of local volunteer firefighters, EMS workers and auxiliary police officers who lose their lives in the line of duty. County Legislator Paul Cleary was the main sponsor.
• Bipartisan Passage of the Firearms Warnings Law. Requires signs to be posted at locations where firearms & ammunition are sold to remind buyers of potential dangers associated with having firearms in their homes or businesses, including increased risk of suicide, homicide, and death during domestic disputes, as well as the risk of accidental shootings, which have become the leading cause of death for children in America. Also includes a helpline number for those thinking of harming themselves. County Legislator Beth Davidson was the main sponsor.
• Bipartisan passage of Local Law No. 10 extends until Dec. 1, 2029, the county’s ability to enforce a law to impose liability on the owners of motor vehicles that fail to stop for stopped school buses. County Legislators Alden H. Wolfe and Aron Wieder were the main sponsors.

Moving into 2025, Chairman Hood said he expected more work to be done on the sidewalk project in hopes of completing several sidewalks at a time versus one after another. He said more work will also be needed on the housing initiatives in order to make meaningful progress on the overall efforts, which include working with affordable housing organizations to identify additional housing opportunities.

“Affordable housing is on the table now,” Chairman Hood said.

He noted the contributions of the Economic Development & Housing Committee, chaired by Legislator Jesse Malowitz in assisting the effort.

Chairman Hood said the County Legislature is considering allowing a mortgage tax “holiday” on the purchases of homes costing about $500,000 or less to assist first-time buyers. Legislator Paul Cleary suggested the legislature review the possibility.

Chairman Hood also said that Majority Leader Alden Wolfe will lead efforts to explore possible changes to the Rockland County Charter, essentially the laws that govern how County government operates, with details to come as possible changes are discussed; the work follows charter changes completed several years ago.

Rockland County Legislator Jay Hood Jr. was sworn in as Chairman for a fourth consecutive year. Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh conducted the ceremony.

Legislators voted to elect Rockland County Legislator Dr. Aney Paul as Vice Chairwoman for a fifth time. Her daughter, Natasha, held the Bible as Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh conducted the ceremony.

Rockland County Legislator Phil Soskin was appointed Second Vice Chair.

Rockland County Legislator Alden H. Wolfe was elected Majority Leader by the Democratic members of the Legislature and sworn in by Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. County Clerk Donna Silberman oversaw the signing of the elected officials’ registry.

Rockland County Legislator Lon M. Hofstein was elected Minority Leader by the Republican members of the Legislature and sworn in by Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. County Clerk Donna Silberman oversaw the signing of the elected officials’ registry.

Rockland County Legislature Vice Chairwoman Dr. Aney Paul and Chairman Jay Hood Jr.

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