State Senator Bill Weber Sworn Into Office

By M.C. Millman

Rockland County State Senator Bill Weber was sworn in this morning at the Rockland County Fire Training Center, attended by an entire room of elected officials, community leaders, and Rockland residents on hand for the ceremony.

"Today, we are here because we have a renewed sense of hope," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. "Today, a man, not from the political world but from our own ranks, a man possessing financial acumen and expertise, a man from a law enforcement family, a down-to-earth family man, a man who will not shy away from the crisis that we face, a man who will be guided by what is right and not by what's politically expedient …today we have that hero. He is our new state senator."

"Now that the campaign is over, and I'm your state senator," Bill Weber began his speech, "the real work begins…Politics in this state and country has become toxic over the years, and I hope to change that tone. For far too many long, politicians and citizens have been talking at each rather than talking to each other. That has to stop, and I plan on changing that in Albany… 

"I believe that anything can be done and any problem solved if people commit themselves to wanting to make those changes happen. I believe that the best days of New York State and Rockland County are ahead of us if we all roll up our sleeves in committing to wanting to solve these problems."

Weber defeated incumbent Elijah Rechlin-Melnick for the 38th State Senate seat, covering most of Rockland County.