Committee Chair Legislator Alden Wolfe Makes Shocking Comments 

Comments Made at County Legislature’s Charter Revision Committee Meeting

New City, NY, - The Legislature of Rockland County’s Special Committee on Charter Revision met on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5:45 PM (see attached agenda). During the discussion of the “Charter Reform Process and Issues” agenda item, Chair of the Committee Legislator Alden Wolfe laid out his thoughts and justification for pursuing changes to the County Charter. The Charter is essentially the County’s Constitution and delineates the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the branches of government.

During the discussion Legislator Wolfe stated that he considered removing the democratically elected County Executive, the office presently held by Ed Day. In the place of the elected official running the day-to-day operations of the County, Legislator Wolfe stated that he wants to consider having a County Manager, an unelected bureaucrat with no direct accountability to the public.

Checks and balances are crucial in a democracy because they prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful, safeguarding against potential abuses of power, and helps protect citizens' rights by ensuring no single entity can act without oversight. 

An independently elected County Executive, chosen by the voters, is critical to providing those checks and balances, which it appears Legislator Wolfe does not appreciate as his comments express his desire to have a county manager under his direct control.

“I am shocked that a sitting Legislator would even suggest eliminating an entire branch of government without so much as a real discussion with me, other members of the County Legislature, or the citizens we serve,” said County Executive Ed Day. “Dissolving my Office and creating a County Manager who reports directly to the Legislature would be nothing short of an undemocratic power grab. These statements by Legislator Wolfe reaffirm the importance of civic engagement and voting, particularly in local elections.”

Let’s not forget, the County Executive and his administration dug this county out of a $138 million deficit by his third term. An incredible achievement that has earned countless praise by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli who was recently quoted saying, “I’m not allowed to pick favorites with elected officials, but I love your County Executive,” going on to say “he gets the job done.”

Thanks to the job elected Rockland County Executive Ed Day has done, his administration was able to institute a 4% County Property Tax cut, eliminate the Energy Tax equivalent to an 8.4% County Property Tax cut, expand county property tax deductions for seniors and volunteer first responders, and much more for the families he serves.

Legislator Wolfe also said during the meeting that he was not willing to negotiate potential Charter amendments with the County Executive directly due to disagreements the last time the Charter was amended in 2014. Legislator Wolfe suggested that the County Executive submit any proposed Charter amendments to the Legislature.

The last time the Charter was substantially revised was 2014. In that year certain changes were made to the budgeting and appointment processes, and the Deputy County Executive position was added as an official officer of the County. The terms were negotiated by the Legislature and County Executive’s Office. The negotiations and agreements to terms continued until the County Executive made requests. When those terms were raised members of the Legislature became overly emotional, pounded their fists on the table, and screamed “no” multiple times after which, negotiations ended.

Charter changes must be passed by the County Legislature as a local law, after a public hearing. Before the local law can be passed by the Legislature, the law must be made available to the Legislators for at least eight days. During those eight days, it cannot be substantially changed.

The County Executive then has an opportunity to sign or veto the changes. The Legislature can override the veto of the County Executive with a super majority vote. Currently, there are 12 Democrats and 5 Republicans serving on the Legislature.

Charter Amendments are then subject to voter referendum. The County Charter is available here: https://ecode360.com/12119265

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