A few years ago, I put a small addition onto my house so I could expand my kitchen. Before I did, I applied for and received a permit from my town, hired licensed contractors and, when it was just about done, had the work – plumbing, electrical, construction –...
Once again here in Rockland we have a solution that is needlessly becoming a problem. The solution: we have successfully negotiated a contract with sheriff deputies who have been working without one for six years that is fair to them and fair to the taxpayer. The problem: some...
Critics have been calling for years for the shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear power plant right across from Stony Point in Northern Westchester. Now they have gotten their wish in the form of an announcement from Gov. Cuomo that he and Entergy have brokered a deal to close...
Now, in this season of miracles we have one of our own: A 2017 county budget that sticks to the 1.17 property tax cap, cuts spending and maintains services. This budget sets the path for a solid and sustainable financial future for our county with no tax increase for most...
It would have been so easy to return to the Legislature a 2017 budget unchanged – with all of their many amendments and the promise of a 50 cent per month tax cut. But Rockland residents elected me to do the right thing, which is not necessarily the easy thing....
It’s no secret what earned Rockland a $138 million budget deficit and the shameful distinction of most fiscally stressed municipality in the state of New York. It was dishonest budgeting based on phony revenue and expense projections. Now, nearly three years into...
Two months have passed since I presented my proposed 2017 county budget to the Legislature and the people of Rockland. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from Rockland residents, which is heartening since they are the ones paying the tax and it’s their opinion...
When I took office less than three years ago, Rockland’s bonds were rated just one step above junk as the extent of the county’s financial meltdown became all too apparent. We were $138 million in the hole and it investors were rightly reluctant to take a risk...
Rockland County wouldn’t be the high-quality place to live without its non-profits. Our non-profit agencies and the dedicated people who run them do everything from feed and clothe the hungry and working poor to providing services for people with disabilities to...
When I took office just three years ago, this county was on the brink of financial disaster. We were a mere $42,000 away from default and had the worst score in New York on the state Comptroller’s list of most fiscally stressed municipalities. Rockland’s score then...
