Government

“Local Elections Stolen From The People” By Rockland County Executive Ed Day

Published

10 months ago

January 4, 2024

The year 2023 ended with two politicians completely failing their constituents miserably by stealing local elections away from the people. Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator James Skoufis pushed through a new law forcing local elections to occur only in even years, which will result in local races being overshadowed by State and Federal elections.

It is incredibly insulting that Governor Hochul and Senator Skoufis made such a drastic decision, impacting local elections statewide, without any formal input from those they’re elected to serve and who this change will impact.

This now means anyone the people elect in odd years after January 1, 2025, will magically have that term reduced a year for this new law to take effect, as elections need to shift to even years, in essence illegally taking away the will of the people. This is bare-faced partisanship and Gov. Hochul and Senator James Skoufis should be ashamed of themselves for pushing this bill through and not allowing voters to weigh in on such a major and abrupt change to their elections.

To add insult to injury, they brag the move will save money which is the biggest lie as this will not save a penny because regardless elections must run every year. The irony is the State of New York has been spending up to $50 a vote for early voting. Do you think that is the best use of taxpayer money? We certainly don’t.

Senator Skoufis, most famously known for allegedly hiding in a bathroom during a critical vote in the senate, is telling Rockland County residents how to run their elections just because he can. We the people decide to have local elections and it should not be up to Albany to change it and if they are then I think the Governor of New York or Senator James Skoufis should lose a year of their term as well.

The Rockland County Charter delineates elections and when they should occur. This law is an attempt to override that charter and local control in a home rule state and the oath I took is to that charter and the people of Rockland County not Governor Hochul. And we must ask ourselves why? Why make this sudden and drastic change?

Local governments are the most responsive and responsible to the everyday person and play a vital governance role for drinking water, social services, sewage, zoning, schools, roads, parks, police, courts, jails, trash disposal — and more.

The local elections were setup by the people of Rockland via the charter that this now overrides. The County believes this law pits local elections against the highly charged State and Federal elections which will drown the public discourse on local elections out of existence.

So as we embark on 2024, let us all remember the two politicians who kicked off the new year by stealing local elections from the people.

Government

The Warming Center is Ready for Guests

Published

13 hours ago

October 27, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Social Services Joan Silvestri announce the opening of the Rockland County Warming Center, located at the Dr. Robert L. Yeager Health Center in Pomona, for the upcoming winter season. The center, which will be operated by the Department of Social Services (DSS), can provide shelter for up to 75 homeless single adults.

“This Warming Center remains a critical resource in protecting our most vulnerable residents from the harsh conditions of winter,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I am incredibly proud of the collective efforts that make this possible, and I commend our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment to the well-being of those in need.”

Guests at the Warming Center will have access to not only a warm, safe place to rest but also essential services such as showers and laundry facilities. In addition, staff will be on-site to assist individuals with benefits and referrals to other support programs.

Starting in November 2024, the Warming Center will operate during nighttime hours when the wind chill drops below 35°F. Beginning December 1, 2024, the center will be open every night, with daytime operations triggered only if the wind chill again falls below 35°F. This schedule will continue through March, then during the month of April, the center will revert to night-only operations under the same temperature criteria.

Transportation to the Warming Center will be provided from the following locations:

Nyack: 7:00 p.m. at Broadway and Burd Street, in front of the First Reformed Church of Nyack.
Haverstraw: 7:30 p.m. from the Commuter Parking Lot across from Village Hall.
Spring Valley: 5:30 p.m., 6:10 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. at the Spring Valley Bus and Train Station.
Pomona: 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Building L Bus Shelter on the Health Center campus.

For more information, please contact the Rockland County Department of Social Services at (845) 364-2332 or 845-608-6670.

Additionally, the Department of Social Services will continue to operate the long-standing Emergency Family Shelter, providing services for children and families in need.

Government

RCDOH Is Proud To Announce PrEP Awareness Week From October 21-27th

Published

5 days ago

October 23, 2024

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health is proud to participate in PrEP Aware Week from October 21-27, 2024, dedicated to increasing public awareness about PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), who it’s for, and how to access it. This year’s theme, “PrEP for All Ages,” emphasizes the importance of taking control of your health at any stage of life.

PrEP is a prescription medication, available in pill or injectable form, that is taken before potential exposure to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) to significantly reduce the risk of infection. It is designed for adults and adolescents who are HIV-negative and may be exposed to HIV through sexual activity or injection drug use. Additionally, PrEP can be a valuable tool for protecting pregnant individuals and their babies from HIV during conception, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. It is important to have an open and honest conversation about PrEP with your healthcare provider before beginning PrEP to see if it’s right for you.

PrEP is available at the Rockland County Department of Health Sexual Health Clinic. Clinic hours are by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please call (845) 364-3771 to schedule an appointment. Visit the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute Provider Directory to see other locations where PrEP is available in Rockland County. Many local providers also offer PrEP, so ask your medical provider during your next visit.

When taken as prescribed, PrEP is 99% effective at preventing HIV. However, since PrEP only offers protection against HIV, using condoms remains crucial in preventing other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and offering additional HIV protection if PrEP is not taken consistently.

For those concerned about the cost, Medicaid and most health insurance plans cover PrEP without co-pays or cost-sharing. Additionally, drug manufacturers and the New York State Department of Health’s PrEP Assistance Program (PrEP-AP) offers financial support to ensure access to this life-saving medication.

For more information, visit the PrEP Aware website and the New York State Department of Health.