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Email: legclerk@co.rockland.ny.us

Ed Day Comments Are Off The Wall

County Executive Who Vowed To Serve Just 2 Terms In Office But Is Now Running At A Frantic Pace For A 4th Term Issues Press Release That Is Off The Wall

In grand fashion, Ed Day, the County Executive who vowed to serve just 2 terms in office but is now running at a frantic pace for a 4^th term, today issued a press release that is completely off the wall.

Majority Leader Legislator Alden Wolfe did not state that he favored changing the operation of county government so that a County Manager instead of a County Executive would run the day to day business of county government.

He actually said the complete opposite: “I don’t think that there’s a interest at this point in making a wholesale change to how county government operates, for example changing from the county executive model to a county manager model, even though many believe that that would be a way of saving significant amounts of tax dollars and making county government operate less with political tension.”

Ed Day is also confused about previous efforts at Charter revision, last done in 2014. Legislators more than willingly negotiated with him in 2014, but in the end, he opted to veto virtually everything agreed upon. As a result, Legislator Wolfe said he was wary of a similar interaction and outcome this time around. But he was also clearly stated that any suggestions for Charter Revision from Ed Day or any County Legislator were welcome.

Rockland County operates under the rules and laws of the Rockland County Charter. From time to time, it is changed or “revised” with the goal of improving efficiency.

Among the possible Charter Revision discussion items, Legislator Wolfe said, were trying to find a way to depoliticize the post of Human Rights Commissioner; the possible adoption of a county Human Rights Law; possibly changing language so that the Sheriff would be able to appoint undersheriffs versus an undersheriff;  and a possible review of when the terms for different commissioners run to see if staggered remains best.

In his off the wall press release, Ed Day states, “I am shocked that a sitting Legislator would even suggest eliminating an entire branch of government without so much as a real discussion with me, other members of the County Legislature, or the citizens we serve.”

Again, Legislator Wolfe never suggested such an action.

But Ed Day’s press release comments get even wackier, “Dissolving my Office and creating a County Manager who reports directly to the Legislature would be nothing short of an undemocratic power grab.”

Again, Legislator Wolfe did not suggest dissolving the County Executive’s position (nor Ed Day’s personal office).

And finally, Ed Day once again takes credit for every single accomplishment in County government, as though Rockland County government – a co-equal government that includes both an Executive and Legislative branch – is not dependent on both branches to succeed.

Here it is: “Let’s not forget, the County Executive and his administration dug this county out of a $138 million deficit by his third term.”

As though such action could happen completely at the hands of one person, third term or not.

And this gem: “Thanks to the job elected Rockland County Executive Ed Day has done, his administration was able to institute a 4% County Property Tax cut, eliminate the Energy Tax equivalent to an 8.4% County Property Tax cut, expand county property tax deductions for seniors and volunteer first responders, and much more for the families he serves.”

Holy Cow! Now if only he could bring down the price of eggs!

Legislator Wolfe also said at the meeting of nearly two weeks ago, “When you’re going through the charter, keep in mind that this is our foundational document and really the sky is the limit in terms of, to the extent that it doesn’t conflict with New York State law. So, let’s take a look and see what you want to do.”

Maybe term limits?

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