FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2022

Statement from County Executive Ed Day

The reported actions of Legislators Aney Paul and Toney Earl during last night's meeting of the Rockland County Legislature were regrettable to say the least. While I am pleased that the Rockland County Legislature passed the Local Law establishing the County Office of Building and Codes, I am incredibly frustrated that the four other resolutions we needed, including a budget to fund this effort, couldn't be voted on causing yet another unnecessary delay in this process.

After last night's meeting I spoke with Jared Lloyd's mother, Sabrail Davenport, and she shared my dismay, disappointment, and anger that these Legislators seemingly left the meeting early without warning or prior explanation, resulting in an inability to vote on these four resolutions. *Chairman Jay Hood has clarified to me that Legislator Alden Wolfe had spoken to him prior to the meeting about his necessary absence.

Regardless of this attempt in my view to sabotage our process, we are moving forward. While I have been assured by Chairman Jay Hood that these Resolutions will be voted on during a special meeting of the Legislature on Tuesday, February 8th we are preparing for every eventuality.

This afternoon Chairman Hood and I will be signing a Declaration of Procurement Emergency to direct the County's Director of Purchasing to take immediate action to contract the qualified building inspectors and code enforcement officials necessary for the County of Rockland to respond effectively to the Order from New York State.

The County of Rockland has been Ordered to take over the functions of the Spring Valley Building Department and if the Legislature fails to act in support of that Order, I will declare a rarely used local State of Emergency and take whatever steps are necessary to protect the health and safety of Village residents, visitors and first responders.

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