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“Election Manipulation Without Representation” By Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Published

1 year ago

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State Senator James Skoufis tried his best to paint my factual concerns about significant changes to local elections as nothing more than a child’s tantrum. The State Senator dedicated more words to name calling and insults than he did trying to justify this poorly disguised, partisan power grab. The fact is he took away a choice that should ONLY be made by those people affected by the law.  

Local self-determination is a founding principle of this nation and this State. For 250 years, since 1789, the people of Rockland, and their legislators and executives have decided through democratic processes, what years local elected officials are up for election and the length of their terms.  

When Albany – specifically Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State Senator Skoufis and his fellow legislators from New York City and other upstate cities make drastic changes, impacting how county officials are to be chosen rather than letting local voters decide, they are taking that choice away from you. 

Elected officials, me included, serve the public plain and simple. 

What State Senator Skoufis isn’t disclosing is that this was a self-serving decision to disallow the public to weigh in because he stands to gain the most as there are rumblings he is running in the near future for a seat that would benefit from the change. 

The facts are this decision was overwhelmingly decided by New York State Legislators representing New York City, who this does not effect, rather than the upstate counties, towns, and villages who it does. This is election law manipulation without representation is an insult to what democracy stands for.

In the New York State Assembly, excluding representatives for districts outside the City of New York, delegates voted no against this 57 to 34. 

In the New York State Senate, excluding representatives for districts outside the City of New York, delegates voted no against this 22 to 10. 

The total vote on this by representatives outside New York City was 79 against and only 44 in favor.  Why is New York City and Governor Hochul dictating to us when to have our local elections and when our elected official’s terms start and end? 

As for my track record in just 10 years:

  • Dug Rockland out of a $138m deficit and into a surplus.
  • Implemented a 2% county property tax cut, following two years of no tax increase. A huge leap from the double-digit tax increases every year before I took office. 
  • Repealed the Energy Tax, equivalent to an 8.4% County Property Tax cut, saving families $12 million annually. 
  • Transformed this administration from the most fiscally stressed County statewide to one of the strongest. 
  • Launched two college tuition assistance programs for volunteer firefighters and emergency responders.
  • Constructed a new Fire Operations Building. 
  • Still waiving bus fare for riders since the pandemic. 
  • Rehabilitated the Demarest Dam.  
  • Equipped school buses with stop-arm cameras at no cost to families or schools.
  • Preserved 25 acres and counting of open space.
  • Built a new County Highway Garage. 

The list goes on. 

With so many accomplishments under my belt, yes, I stayed longer than originally planned when I ran so I can lock in a few more achievements that would ensure the residents I live and breathe for are in good hands well long after I’m out of office. 

If the State wants to engage in tyranny, depriving us of self-determination, and taking the power to control these local elections from the people and their local officials, the question should be put up for a public referendum in the municipal jurisdictions it impacts. If it passes, then I would concede, because it would truly be what the people decided. 

In his last statement on this matter, State Senator Skoufis said, “let them vote.” If he truly meant that and cared about the will of the people – or their voices – he would sponsor a bill to repeal this law and redraft it to put it up for referendum in the local counties, towns and villages, let the people vote on this change, rather than Albany and New York City. 

* This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

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Creating a More Inclusive Rockland – One Business at a Time By Rockland County Executive Ed Day

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2 days ago

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May 31, 2025

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To our business leaders, healthcare providers, first responders, and community organizations that make Rockland County the vibrant place it is, I want to bring your attention to a new and FREE training that will create a more inclusive Rockland one business at a time.

Here in the United States, 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with Autism. And yet, many of our public spaces, businesses, and institutions remain unfamiliar with how to support them.
That needs to change—and here in Rockland, we’re leading that change.

It was with that in mind that in April, during Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, my administration’s Department of Mental Health launched a new All-Abilities Training Program, created in partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism.
This training is available at no cost and is designed to educate the workforce, including our local businesses, healthcare providers, first responders, and community organizations. It’s a powerful tool to help you better serve all members of our community, especially those with Autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

This initiative is more than just training—it’s a commitment to understanding, acceptance, and accessibility for individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

When we launched the Rockland Thinks Differently initiative in 2024, we committed ourselves to promoting inclusion at every level of our community. This training is a direct extension of that promise. It will help your team create more welcoming environments for all.

But this isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s also smart business.

Many individuals with Autism are loyal, capable, and hardworking.

The training includes insight into how to make your workplace more accessible for potential employees with Autism and the many benefits of hiring from this often-overlooked talent pool.

I urge every business and organization in Rockland to take advantage of this fantastic and free opportunity. Doing so will show the community that your organization not only accepts differences but embraces and celebrates them. Let’s work together and continue creating a Rockland that truly thinks differently.

To sign up for the training or learn more, please contact the Anderson Center at 845-889-9616 or ACCT@AndersonCares.org.

* This is a weekly column by Rockland County Executive Ed Day.

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Senator Bill Weber Honors the Late Clarkstown Councilman Mark Woods Jr. with Induction into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame

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3 days ago

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May 30, 2025

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – This week, State Senator Bill Weber posthumously inducted Town of Clarkstown Councilman Mark Woods Jr. into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at the State Capitol.

Mark’s beloved wife, Jeanne, his daughter, Maggie, his son, Ray, and his mother, Marie, joined the ceremony to accept the award on Mark’s behalf.

A Brooklyn native, Woods was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Infantry after attending The Citadel. He served in Berlin at the end of the Cold War and deployed to Bosnia for peacekeeping operations. His civilian career included service as a corrections officer, border agent, and NYPD officer, where he was part of the Vice Squad and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He returned to active duty in Iraq post-9/11 before continuing his public service stateside.

Woods later became Deputy Director of the Rockland County Veterans Service Agency and then Director of the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Program at BRIDGES, where he supported fellow veterans through mental health and crisis recovery work. His advocacy and compassion touched countless lives.

“Mark Woods Jr. exemplified the spirit of selfless service,” said Senator Weber. “His dedication to his country, his community, and especially to his fellow veterans, was unparalleled. This induction ensures that his legacy of compassion, leadership, and service will be remembered and honored for generations to come.”

“I can think of no one more deserving at this moment. Mark Woods is the purest example of a serviceman dedicated to his country and his community. He was humble, passionate and undeniably committed to seeing our community be better. I can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to a selfless man like Mark Woods and his enduring legacy than his induction to the NYS Veterans Hall of Fame.” said Carlos Martinez, LMSW, CEO and Executive Director of BRIDGES

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, a good friend of Mark Woods added, “I am proud to help honor the life and legacy of Mark Woods. From his service in the U.S. Army to the streets of NYC as an NYPD officer, to his compassionate work with our veterans and as Town Councilman, his unwavering commitment to helping others will always be an inspiration. Clarkstown and New York State will never forget his lifetime of service.”

The New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame honors the courage, sacrifice, and service of veterans who enrich their communities long after leaving active duty. Mark Woods Jr. stands among the finest examples of that enduring legacy.

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