Government

Rockland County Legislature Selects Leadership for 2026

Published

3 months ago

January 19, 2026

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Legislature voted Thursday night to fill its leadership positions for 2026, reelecting Jay Hood Jr. to a fifth consecutive term as Chairman.

Aney Paul was reelected Vice Chairwoman, while Phil Soskin was named Second Vice Chairman.

Party leadership roles were also confirmed, with Democrats reelecting Alden H. Wolfe as Majority Leader and Republicans reelecting Lon M. Hofstein as Minority Leader. Dana Stilley was appointed Deputy Majority Leader, and Raymond W. Sheridan III was appointed Deputy Minority Leader.

“I am grateful to my colleagues for once again placing their trust in me,” Hood said. “I look forward to continuing our collaborative work within the Legislature and with the County Executive and Administration to deliver responsible governance and positive results for Rockland County residents. We accomplished a great deal in 2025, and I am confident we can build on that momentum in 2026.”

Hood has served in the County Legislature since 2007 and previously held the positions of Vice Chairman and Majority Leader. Before joining the Legislature, he served on the Haverstraw Town Board.

Paul was elected Vice Chairwoman for the seventh time. She was first elected to the County Legislature in 2012 and has previously served as Majority Leader.

In addition, Moshe Hopstein was sworn in after being appointed last year and subsequently winning election in November to fill the seat vacated by Aron B. Weider, who was elected to the New York State Assembly.

Legislators also unanimously reappointed Laurence O. Toole to a one-year term as Clerk to the Legislature. Toole appointed Mary Widmer as Deputy Clerk.

All officials were sworn in by Donna Silberman.

Government

Rockland County Urges Water Conservation as Climate Change Impacts Supply

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

NEW CITY, NY — The Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management is encouraging residents to learn how climate change is affecting water availability and what steps they can take to protect the county’s supply.

Experts say climate change is increasingly being viewed as a water crisis, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns lead to stronger storms, flooding, and drought. Although water covers much of the planet, less than one percent of freshwater is readily available for human use, making conservation critical.

Rockland County depends entirely on local surface and groundwater sources to serve homes, schools, businesses, and healthcare facilities. As the population grows and climate conditions evolve, officials say responsible water use is essential to maintaining a stable supply.

“Protecting our water supply is essential to the long-term health and economic stability of Rockland County,” said Ed Day. “Education and conservation are key tools that help ensure our water resources remain reliable for future generations.”

💧 Simple Ways to Conserve Water

Residents can make a meaningful impact with small, everyday actions:

Fix household leaks promptly
Take shorter showers
Turn off the tap while brushing teeth
Use water-efficient appliances
Plant native or drought-tolerant landscaping
Water lawns and gardens efficiently

Reducing water use also lowers energy consumption, since energy is required to pump, treat, and heat water—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Officials encourage residents to follow the task force online for updates, resources, and conservation tips. More information is available through the county’s water conservation program.

Government

Rockland County Offers Free Mosquito Dunks and Minnows to Fight Summer Mosquitoes

Published

5 days ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

The Rockland County Department of Health (RCDOH) is giving residents two free tools to fight mosquitoes:

1. Mosquito Dunks®

Donut-shaped tablets placed in standing water
Kill mosquito larvae before they become biting adults
Safe for use in:
- Unused/covered pools
- Hot tubs
- Other stagnant water containers

2. Fathead minnows

Small fish that eat mosquito larvae (up to ~200 per day each)
Good for:
- Unused pools
- Ornamental ponds
- Water sources with at least 8 inches of water