Rockland County Executive Ed Day Honors Members of Rockland’s Puerto Rican Community

On June 22 Rockland County held a ceremony honoring members of Rockland’s Puerto Rican community for their contributions.
 

“Rockland County is a place of great diversity, made up of people from all over the world, of many religions, of many beliefs, of many languages,” County Executive Ed Day said. “Members of the Puerto Rican community, like so many other groups, came to Rockland County looking for a safe and welcoming place to raise their families. In the process, they have enriched Rockland.”

The Puerto Rican community formed in Spring Valley in the late 1950s and later in the North Rockland area. People of Puerto Rican descent now live all over Rockland and comprise an important part of the county, Day said.

He presented certificates of recognition to four people with roots in the North Rockland areas.

County Executive Day also praised Rockland County Deputy County Executive Guillermo Rosa, a native of Puerto Rico and the highest ranking Latino official ever to serve in the county.

“I cannot say enough about Guillermo and his talents,” Day said. “I could not function as well without him and this county could not function without him.”

Day praised the honorees for sharing the desire to make Rockland County a better place by making sure that everyone has access to opportunities and can live with a sense of security and belonging.

“These four people we are honoring today have done that,” he said. “They have served their communities and demonstrated excellence in so many ways.”

Honored by the County Executive:

Elizabeth Martinez of Garnerville has lived in Rockland County since 1989. She currently works at the Rockland County Career Center in Haverstraw assisting Rockland residents receiving unemployment improve their skills so they can get jobs. She has been a major help to the Hispanic community and is well regarded among her peers and those she serves.

Virgin Torres of West Haverstraw who has lived in the county since 1959. She retired after working for many years as a sewing machine operator for Louis Hornick and Company in Haverstraw. She has been an active member of the North Rockland community and has served as a positive role model for many young people.

Esther Vargas of Garnerville left Puerto Rico in 1962 and has lived in Rockland County since. She and her husband Rafael founded Vargas Services, an Insurance, Immigration and Tax company in Garnerville. Esther has volunteered for more than 30 years at the Rockland Psychiatric Center. She is active in the Haverstraw community and serves a leadership role in organizing various community events.

Councilman Hector L. Soto, who was born in Puerto Rico and came to Haverstraw with his family when he was 14. Following high school, he joined the Air Force and did a tour of duty in Vietnam. After he was honorably discharged, he began his law enforcement career with Haverstraw Police Department and retired in 2007 after a highly decorated career. He has served as member of the Haverstraw Town Board since 2007.

(Pictured left to right: Deputy County Executive Guillermo Rosa, Esther Vargas, Elizabeth Martinez, Virgin Torres, Hector Soto, County Executive Ed Day, Rockland Director of Tourism and Economic Growth Lucy Redzeposki)