Welcome to the official website for Rockland County
Legislator Ed Day, District 5 (New City-Haverstraw).
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Our website is now interacting with and updating our community !! YOU can join simply by sending
in an e mail (see link at the bottom of the page) and you will receive ALL of Ed's "Community Updates" ... At NO
COST to you ... The Funder of our Government!!
Take a moment to navigate through the site, and come back often
for updates! It is Ed's goal to keep his constituents informed and involved, so check it out!
And ... Link DIRECTLY to the Legislature's website -
http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/Legislature/BioDay.htm
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Ed keeps the promises he made during the campaign !! Click on the "Media Info" tab to see the coverage
of Ed's sponsorship of legislation establishing "Sex Offender Free Zones" here in Rockland to protect our children
from predatory sex offenders !
Great news came as
Local Law #1 was enacted on February 20th, 2007, and now Predatory Sex Offenders will not be able to live, work, or loiter
within 1000' where our children typically congregate. Local Law #1 of 2007 is a victory for our community and our children
!! Even Putnam and Westchester Counties are emulating Rockland's law !!
The
results ? Less than 2 months after the law was signed, a predatory child sex offender who moved right near Franklin Avenue
Elementary School in Pearl River was forced to vacate the premises. In August, two child molesters in Monsey were the first
predators arrested under Ed's new law. A continuing victory for our families and children !!
And ... On May 3rd, Ed was awarded the Rockland County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (SPCC)
"Special Award of Honor" for both his "long term dedication to the health, safety, and well-being of children",
and his sponsorship of this critical child protection legislation.
IMPORTANT - Be aware and stay apprised of registered sexual predators in our community:
Link
to the N.Y. State Division of Criminal Justice Services - Full seach capability -
Link to NY State's just expanded "NY-ALERT"
- Register and receive broad search and notifications via e mail -
Link to the Rockland County Sheriff’s Department website - Address search and e mail alert
capability -
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The Founding Fathers never envisioned career politicians running your
government, and Ed agrees. He introduced legislation limiting the County Executive and County Legislators to three terms in
office. While those who look to avoid the debate declare that Election Day essentially is the opportunity for term limits,
everyone knows that the playing field simply is not level. Ed believes that the question of term limits should not be left
to the self serving conjecture of politicians, but rather to the voters, which is why Ed is working to have the matter placed
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Did
you know that gas prices spiking past $4 per gallon, Rockland County still collects an additional 8 to 10 cents per gallon
of taxes over and above a sales tax cap that N.Y. State has authorized Rockland to implement. With more and more consumers
marching with their pocketbooks and deserting our economy to seek cheaper prices in New Jersey, Ed is doing something about
it. Legislation that Ed introduced passed and cut the sales tax on gasoline permanently so we can better compete. The
time has come for government to recognize that gas is not any better in New Jersey; just made cheaper by onerous
local and N.Y. State taxation.
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Catcalls, placards, profanities directed at military families while they are
burying a family member who gave their life in service to our Country? While the Supreme Court upheld the rights of a hate
group carrying the banner of religion, they also urged municipalities to establish laws to maintain order and buffers between
families and protestors. Ed immediately submitted legislation to accomplish this, and on Aug. 2nd, the Rockland County Funeral
Privacy Act was passed UNANIMOUSLY by the County legislature. The law, strongly supported by our veteran organizations, will
provide 750' buffers for ALL commemorative funeral and memorial services. This is one of the most comprehensive laws
passed on the matter to date, and is a victory for decency and common sense.
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The Access Road that
was proposed to be built behind the jail adjacent to the Demarest Kill and leading to New Hempstead Road, has been formally
WITHDRAWN by the County Executive, and two days later, on a motion made by Ed, the full
legislature unanimously voted to WITHDRAW the project from consideration.
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You
heard that the New City Post Office was all set to curtail their hours of operations ... Just as we were entering the busy
holiday season ! Well, Ed got word of it, made the calls, and the Postal authorities announced a reinstatement
of the original hours just an hour and a half later !! Ed acknowledged the local postmaster and the community in
the effort.
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Ed
is standing with his neighbors and keeping up the pressure to have the FAA Air Space planned pulled. Ed, who voted in the
legislature to have the FAA plan pulled also spoke passionately at both rallys held in Rockland. He has
again demanded effective assistance, not lip service, from our federally elected officials. AND ... Ed AGAIN spoke to
the issue at the September 19th meeting of the County legislature.
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Since he was first elected, Ed has been pushing the MTA to "stop treating Rockland
like the stepchild with a bank account". In 2006 alone, we conveyed $42 million dollars MORE than we received
from the MTA. Enough is enough, and Ed has laid out the challenge!
And
in May, 2009, the MTA inflicted a Mobility Payroll tax and added various auto fees to our County while minimizing the cost
to New York City residents. Ed was ahead of this, having introduced legislation to withdraw five months earler from
what he called "The Consortium of Inequity", where we get only 43 cents for every dollar we give the MTA.
A $60 million value gap, more than our total County property tax bill! In 2010, Ed has also successfully lobbied for a withdrawal
plan and legal action designed to roll back the Mobility Tax.
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A 10% property tax for 2009? On top of a property tax increase last year that was supposed to be
"only" 7 1/2% BUT was found by Ed to actully range between 18 and 32% !! When added to much of the speculative
revenue that was projected in the County Executive's budget, Ed simply said "Enough" and voted "No". See
the "Community Issues" section for his comments and details ALL taxpayers should be aware of. And the 2011 budget
was one of the most problematic Ed has ever seen in his professional career, and he did the right thing by voting "No".
But Ed did not stop there ... He took the most judicious course possible to
save the financial future of Rockland by successfully getting the NYS Comptroller to do a full audit of the County books.
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Approve
a contract when nine companies formally express interest in a 3 MILLION DOLLAR job, but only ONE bids for the work? A company
is selected for a $125,000 contract, but the paperwork only reflects a company "name" which CANNOT be found in any
directory ... No address, no background, nothing ! Does that get your attention? It should, as it is your money. Well, it
got Ed's attention also, and he asked the hard questions, and made clear recommendations that reflects his experience and
background. See the "COMMUNITY ISSUES" section for details.
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Catcalls, derogatory signs, screaming of epithets at families as they try to bury a soldier
who gave his life for this Country, protecting the very rights they abuse? Well, while the Supreme Court said thay could,
the Court also said local municipalities should consider establishing legal buffers to afford peace to grieving families.
Ed immediately acted upon this, and the legislation he introduced is now a County Local Law that protects ALL families from
hate groups, even those masquerading as religious organizations. Click on the "More Media " tab for more.
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Patronage; unecessary government jobs; and doing more with less. For 5 years as your legislator, Ed
has worked with his colleagues to reduce the County workforce by nearly 15%; defund uneeded high paying positions such as
the Deputy Probation position; and lobbied to have a 1/2 million Tourism department removed from the County budget. Ed continues
his fight to protect the taxpayer !!
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Sell expired food products here in Rockland? Rancid produce or spoiled dairy products? How about
ineffective (or worse) medication? Maybe even baby food? Does that make you sick? Well, Ed sees the same nonsense you do,
and he introduced the Rockland County Expired Food Sale Act of 2008 that now gives YOU, the consumer, the right of recourse
when unscrupulous retailers just don't get it by wasting your hard earned dollars and risking your health. See "Media
Info" section for details on this important piece of consumer protection law.
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Our thanks to
all our neighbors who continue to help in Ed's fight to support Clarkstown's efforts to FINALLY get the Downtown New City
project done !! Meetings are ongoing (see "Meeting/Event" section). The results of the ongoing visioning surveys
can be seen by linking to the Vision Planning website @
New City Visioning Survey
Ed has already been in front of the matter of two
major roadway projects affecting the New City Hamlet and has gotten all the parties involved to work in sync with each other
in order to minimize disruption to residents and business. Construction updates, a website, and Ed's "Community
Updates" are all being done to keep you informed. And ... see Ed's comments by clicking on the "Media Info"
tab.
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Citizens' comments as to how Ed has already had an effect on their lives are coming
in. Click on the "Testimonials" tab for more.
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Looking out for Rocklanders
is what Ed has pledged to do, as witnessed by legislation he introduced that will protect local art projects but CAP the maximum
expenditure simply out of respect for YOUR wallet. Right now, $150,000 PER PROJECT can be spent, and Ed believes that
county government MUST exercise discretion in spending just as we do!! He also is looking to use some of the savings
for our citizens, particularly our children, who play is sub standard parks that also have a shiny, new piece of art sited
there. Ed believes that is not consistent with his belief that art should beautify and serve in a broad sense, and once
again has submitted legislation designed to do just that. Click on the "More Media" tab for the full story.
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On Thursday, January 5th, 2006, Ed Day was formally sworn in as County Legislator for District 5. The
ceremony, held at the Legislative Chambers, was attended by dozens upon dozens of Ed's friends and supporters who provided
for an air of excitement and electricity. Ed, who was clearly humbled by the turnout, said "I look to maximize
the accessibility of, and connection to, government for the people in this community. Simply put, I will make every effort
to make life just a little bit easier for those whom I serve.” Click on the "Biography" tab for the
text of his comments.
