FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2019
Contact: John Lyon 845-248-7748

STATEMENT FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE ED DAY REGARDING JAMES J. ELCIK

New City, NY - Jim Elcik, a former U.S. Marshal who oversaw over 200 personnel, is more than qualified to serve as Director of Consumer Protection and Public Advocate. Mr. Elcik meets the education and experience requirements of Rockland County's Director of Consumer Protection and Public Advocate position which exceed the minimum qualifications required per Agriculture and Markets Law/Civil Service. He was also formally deemed to be qualified by the Rockland County Commissioner of Personnel as well as New York State Civil Service Division. In fact, this position does not require Legislative approval, yet we submitted it in order to further attempt to collaboratively work with the Legislature.

Instead we were again met with personal, irrational anger by Legislative Majority Member Michael Grant, who by his comments made it clear that his animus towards the County Executive was more important than hiring a person who by his own words was highly "qualified". That is a betrayal of both his oath of office and of the people of Rockland County. The only thing more troubling than the action by Legislator Grant in not confirming Mr. Elcik, was that the members of the Ramapo Bloc, Legislators Wolfe, Weider, Yeger and Soskin once again dutifully followed his lead, which should be quite disturbing to the Haverstraw constituents Mr. Grant is supposed to serve.

Contrary to the false narrative peddled by Mr. Grant, the vast majority of Legislative requests for attendance to meetings have been honored. Embarrassingly, these meetings are often totally disorganized, have been insulting to managers who attend to merely assist legislators to understand resolutions and have gone on, at times, to nearly midnight. It is extremely rare for a Commissioner or Department Head to not attend a Legislative Committee Meeting.

The County Executive's door is always open to any legislator who has a concern or need for the people in their District. Interesting is that in the five plus years that County Executive Day has served, Mr. Grant has not once taken the opportunity to advocate for any project or concern to the residents and businesses in his own District. Every project and matter addressed has come from the Office of the County Executive and that fact speaks volumes to the futility of the misguided, angry actions of Mr. Grant. Mr. Grant is urged to put aside any personal matters that trouble him and as needed, seek appropriate help to accomplish that.

# # #

Follow us on Twitter: @rocklandgov
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/rocklandcountyny
Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/rocklandgov
Visit our website: rocklandgov.com