SUPPORTERS HELP NEW COUNTY EXEC RING IN A “HAPPY NEW DAY”

Ed Day rings in New Year with Reaganesque inauguration

BY DYLAN SKRILOFF

Ed Day kicked off his first term as county executive on a high note New Year’s Day, with a well-attended inauguration and swearing-in ceremony at the Fire Emergency Services Center in Pomona. Several hundred were on hand as Day livened their spirits with an optimistic first speech, invoking the memory of Ronald Reagan at one point.

Day has sought to inspire renewed hope and confidence in the future of Rockland County since winning the election in November, and he continued to emphasize the same theme. He acknowledged a number of troubles racing Rockland County, including high taxes, FBI raids targeting corruption, ethnic strife in Ramapo and the county’s deficit. Rocklanders need to realize “we’re all neighbors,” said Day. “We will prevail…today we embark on a mission of renewal.”

One of Day’s draws during the campaign was his connection to community grassroots. His start in Rockland politics came through the New City Civic Association, and he but up from there. He said he will remain true to that spirit. Citing Ronald Reagan, he said it, “will take the best of ourselves” to resolve Rockland’s issues.

“Rockland will be moving forward. We are a community with a shared vision and we will get there…I will never falter, waver or rest until Rockland County is back to the greatness we were known for.”

Day repeated campaign promises to target social services fraud, stem the tide of tax increases, fight slum lords who do not follow fire codes, implement aggressive economic development initiatives and create a culture of no tolerance toward political corruption. Day promised bold action, noting “some will be surprised.”

Father Charles Arlin of St. John’s Episcopal Church in New City handled the invocation at the event. Of Day, he waxed, “He’s on a mission and the people of Rockland support his vision.” Scott C. Walker impressed with a rendition of the national anthem.