Rockland County Legislature Fills Leadership Posts for 2023

The Rockland County Legislature filled its leadership posts Wednesday night, reelecting Jay Hood Jr. as Chairman and returning Aney Paul as Vice Chairwoman. Democrats reelected Alden H. Wolfe as Majority Leader, and Republicans reelected Lon M. Hofstein as Minority Leader. Philip Soskin was reappointed Deputy Majority Leader, and Vincent D. Tyer was reappointed Deputy Minority Leader.  

Chairman Hood discussed some of the highlights of the past year: 

• There will be no county property tax increase in 2023, just as there was no increase in 2022. 
• The county motor vehicle tax and residential energy sales tax were both cut out completely. Together representing the equivalent of a 9.54 percent property tax cut for residents.
• The county’s portion of sales tax on gasoline was reduced. 
• The income eligibility for seniors seeking a reduction in property taxes has been increased from $29,000 to $50,000 for people aged 65 and older. 

On the list for 2023 are capital projects and open space preservation. Work is also underway to implement a 10 percent exemption on the assessed value of a volunteer firefighter or ambulance corps worker’s primary home. 

The Legislature has approved the funding to purchase two parcels on South Mountain Road and two others in Pomona, which are in line to be completed this year. 

The opening of the new County Highway Garage is expected to protect the investment that has been made in highway equipment over the years, everything from snowplows to dump trucks.

 Chairman Hood also announced that he will take special action in recognition of long-time County Legislator Harriet Cornell. 

This marks Hood’s second term serving as Chairman of the County Legislature. He previously served as Vice Chairman and Majority Leader. He has served in the Legislature since being appointed in 2007. He previously served on the Haverstraw Town Board and currently serves as Haverstraw Village Attorney.  

He was sworn in by Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh. County Clerk Donna Silberman oversaw the signing into the elected officials’ registry. Hood was presented with a new gavel in honor of his new leadership position.

Legislators also voted to elect Legislator Paul as Vice Chairwoman for a fourth time. She was first elected in 2020 and previously served as Majority Leader. She was sworn in by District Attorney Walsh.  

Democrats voted to elect Legislator Alden Wolfe as Majority Leader. He appointed Legislator Phil Soskin as Deputy Majority Leader. Republicans voted to elect Legislator Lon Hofstein as Minority Leader. He appointed Legislator Vince Tyer as Deputy Minority Leader.  

Laurence O. Toole, the Clerk to the Legislature, was unanimously reappointed to a one-year term. He named Mary Widmer as Deputy Clerk to the Legislature. He was also sworn in by D.A. Walsh.