FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2019
Contact: John Lyon (845) 638-5645

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ED DAY SPEAKS TO INCREASED ECONOMIC GROWTH
HONORS COUNTY EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR DEDICATION

New City, NY - County Executive Ed Day reported that the state of Rockland is strong and becoming more robust; with great progress being made over the five years he has been in office despite significant challenges. For the first time ever, the event was held outside of the chambers of the County Legislature in an effort to make government more open and accessible to the people of Rockland. The event was held on Level One of the Palisades Center near Macy's.

"Coming here to the Palisades Center was not done by accident," said Day. "Critical to the success of this county is that we continue to focus on economic development and this shopping and entertainment center is one of the keys to that success."

The Palisades Center generated $21.4 million in property taxes during 2018 and $23.5 million in sales tax revenue. They also collaborated with 75 not-for-profits to hold over 560 events. Everything from tabling for fundraising and awareness campaigns to trainings in the community rooms and large events like the State of the County Address.

The Palisades Center is proposing an internal enhancement, the use of space that already exists and adding parking to remain competitive. The improvements would bring more money in property taxes to Clarkstown and more sales tax revenue to the County.

"The benefits to building out the existing space on the 3rd and 4th floors are significant. 700 construction jobs, 500 new permanent retail, entertainment and food service jobs, more ways to attract visitors to Rockland and an estimated $5 million in taxes generated for Clarkstown and the County," said County Executive Day.

County Executive Day encouraged Clarkstown and the Palisades Center to find common ground on this possible internal expansion because the benefits of doing this far outweigh any perceived issues.

The County Executive also mentioned a number of businesses expanding or in the process of opening across Rockland including; RK Pharma in Pearl River, Caribbean Food Delights in Tappan, the GARNER Historic District in West Haverstraw, Java Love Coffee in Suffern, the NYC Football Club in Orangeburg and the Valley Rock Inn in Sloatsburg.

"This volume and variety of right sized development across Rockland is exactly what will place us on the map and bring great wealth to our County, wealth that will ensure stability in our tax base for years to come," said Day. "A cautionary note to our citizens however as this strategy works only if politicians do something often difficult for too many; not to spend that added revenue. We here in County government have not and will not travel that path."

The Address also highlighted the positive work done by the 1,700 employees of Rockland County government. Highlighting the dedication and long hours worked by staff in the Department of Health during the ongoing measles outbreak.

"As we move through our 19th week of this measles outbreak, the number of investigations performed, clinics held, vaccines given and hours worked are significant. And your hard work has not gone unnoticed," said Day.

Since the beginning of the outbreak in October of 2018; 7 un-vaccinated travelers diagnosed with measles entered Rockland, 130 cases of measles have been confirmed and 14,870 MMR vaccines have been administered.

"Each of our Department of Health employees invited to be here tonight ought to be acknowledged for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to preserving public health in Rockland County. You are the reason we have been able to contain this outbreak as well as we have. The fact that we had 7 primary carriers of this disease during October and only have the number of cases we have now is remarkable and a testament to all of you. On behalf of the people of Rockland I thank you for doing your best to protect us," said Day.

Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, Director of the Center for Community Health Dr. Maria Cecilia Mosquera and Maria Souto from Communicable Disease, who all played a critical role in the measles outbreak response, were presented with Awards of Appreciation.

County Executive Day concluded the Address with a call to action, "it is time to get involved. Meet your neighbors, attend a school board meeting, volunteer at a not-for-profit, run for office. Raise your voice when you see something wrong in government and actively applaud and support efforts and officials that do the right thing. Because when we come together and work together there is nothing we cannot accomplish. Let us prove to everyone what I already know, that Rockland is the greatest county in the State of New York."

READ: Full 2019 State of the County Address

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