Rockland’s Ed Day praises progress in State of the County speech – The Journal News

NEW CITY Rockland County Executive EdDay used his State of the County speech Tuesday to discuss the county's economic and social progress during his tenure and the headway made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Day, a Republican starting histhirdfour-year term, provided a list of what he saw as his administration's accomplishments during a speech that lasted less than an hour.

He discussed, among other issues, economic recovery, private investments, efforts to combat slum housing, health initiatives,maintaining social and constituents services, preserving open space, and holding developers to strict standards of zoning.

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"While the road was bumpy at times, the people of Rockland and the Legislature stood united, made tough choices, and against all odds by working together we put this county back on track," Day said.

Day returned to the Legislature Chambers for his speech after several years of delivering his annual address at locales like the Palisades Center mall in West Nyack.

Development: The Rockland Department of Planning reviews of building applications jumped 25% over the five-year average. The value oftaxable real estate increased by $7.4 billion in five years. Day said the growth brings good jobs to Rockland, stabilizes thetax baseand shields families from the double-digit tax increases.

Public transportation: The Department of Transportation is purchasing nearly two dozen new TRIPS buses and 20 clean-diesel TOR buses. Stateand federal funding will pay the costs.The department is identifying locations for bus shelters and launching a "Bus Shelter Solar Lighting" campaign utilizingsolar lights,designed to enhancesafety and transportation at night for riders.

Film production: The Department of Economic Development and Tourism generated$958,000 in revenue last year from 32 film productions, including "FBI: Most Wanted," "A Journal for Jordan" and "The Good Fight."

American Rescue Plan: Rockland received$63 million in ARP funds and created a department tasked with maximizing every federal dollar. The grants will reimburse, for example, restaurants that encountered unexpected costs from COVID, such as renovations to accommodate outdoor dining. The grants will also reimburse foodpantriesfor feedingfamilies during the pandemic.

Drug interdiction: The RocklandDistrict Attorneys Office is collaborating with the Clarkstown Police Department and Department of Mental Health to create plans and strategies in areas that have seen a high number of overdoses.The county is increasing access to Naloxone, offering fentanyl test strips, and ensuring that tele-practice treatment options.

Health and fire code enforcement: Rockland took over the dysfunctional Spring Valley Building Department and has done more than400 inspections. Additionally, the Rockland Codes Investigations Unit issued more than $200,000 in fines,about $50,000 this year, for violations of the county sanitary code since being formed six years ago.

"But the fees and fines are not the goals of these programs, they are merely a tool to ensure compliance with the health and sanitary codes of this county," Day said. "More importantly, they ensure the health and safety of the people ... and our first responders."

Day, a former Clarkstown legislator before being elected executive in November 2013,noted the county's progress came despite hurdles presented by the pandemic and economy.

He credited government workers and his appointed department heads for keeping the government services for taxpayers moving forward.

He noted Rockland's unemployment rate was down 3.4% in February according to the latest state Department of Labor estimates compared to13.3%at its highest point during the pandemic in April 2020.

As Day has discussed in previous speeches, he spoke about inheriting a county on the brink of financial failure. Working with the Democrat-controlled Legislature and financed by a$96 million state-approved bond, Day and the county circumvented a $138 million deficit. The county's final $13.1million bond payment is due in 2024.

"If we have learned anything over the past few years, our work is far from over and tonight Im excited to share some of our accomplishments and great things ahead," he said. "Every year we are making incredible strides revitalizing Rocklands economy."

Steve Lieberman coversgovernment, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations.Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.Read more articlesandbio.Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

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Rockland's Ed Day praises progress in State of the County speech - The Journal News