Ed Day is scheduled to become the new Rockland County Executive when he’s sworn into office on New Year’s Day in a ceremony at the Rockland County Fire Training Center. Day has invited the public to attend the 11 a.m. inauguration, which will feature “first come, first served” seating.
“This is not a ‘you’re terminated’ letter,” said Ed Day’s Chief of Staff Guillermo Rosa about the mid-December request for letters of resignation from Rockland County commissioners, department heads and political appointees.
Guillermo Rosa (left) and new County Executive Ed Day. Day takes office on New Year’s Day.
But Day and new Chief of Staff Guillermo Rosa have not waited for the swearing in ceremony to begin the hiring and firing process.
Day’s transition team sent out letters to all county government commissioners and department heads in mid-December to submit their resignations by 5 p.m. Friday, December 27.
According to a December 26 article in LoHud by Laura Incalcaterra, hand-delivered letters by the county’s Department of Personnel were sent out by Rosa to “all commissioners, department heads, appointees and others who serve at the please of the county executive.” Rockland Personnel Commissioner Joan Silvestri said that department heads were advised by current County Executive Scott Vanderhoef to cooperate with Day’s transition effort.
“This is not a ‘you’re terminated’ letter,” Day’s Chief of Staff Rosa said in Calcaterra’s article. Rosa said the resignation letters should include statements of intent on whether the writer is interested in serving in the Day administration and why. Rosa said that each county worker will be considered for reappointment or possible new position — but also noted that there will be department consolidations and fewer available positions.
Meanwhile, Day said election to office was a victory by the people and taxpayers looking for answers to Rockland’s fiscal problems.
“I want local residents of all ages and backgrounds to feel that Rockland County is moving forward, that we are a community with a shared vision, that we have a direction and we will get there together,” said Day in a statement about his New Year’s Day inauguration ceremony.
“The inauguration is a way to highlight the themes of my administration,” Day said. “Now is the time for action, not words, and we must all come together, as neighbors, to keep Rockland County a great place to live and learn.”
The inaugural ceremony and reception will be held at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen’s Memorial Drive, Pomona, New York. Seating is first-come, first-serve. Attendees are asked to arrive by 10:45 a.m.
Photo of Guillermo Rosa and Ed Day courtesy of Nyack Free Press.
