ISSUES
Public Service, Not Self-Service
Rockland County government belongs to the people—not to political parties and not to patronage networks. Yet increasingly, decisions are made in the shadows, jobs are handed to friends, and contracts are steered to entrenched insiders. That’s not public service—it’s self-service. Ed Day’s bid for a fourth four-year term as County Executive is a prime example of this corrosive culture.
Fiscal Policy—Public Good, Not Private Gain
As County Executive, I will open the books, strengthen ethics rules, and make hiring and contracting fully transparent. Every tax dollar must serve the public good, not private gain. True stewardship means guarding the public’s money as a sacred trust—because that’s exactly what it is.
This is perhaps the most fundamental and challenging issue we face, shaping our future, our environment, and our quality of life for generations to come.
Fairness and Common Sense
Rockland’s future depends on land use decisions made in the open for the public good, not in backroom deals that dole out favors to special interests for profit and power. Unfortunately, our community is being destroyed by corrupt machinations that benefit special interests to the detriment of the community at large. We have a growing population and business community, and development is a necessity. But there are right and wrong ways for development to happen. Zoning changes and variances change property values, sometimes radically, and have an enormous impact on the quality of life of neighbors and the values of properties in the community nearby and throughout the county. Changing zoning and granting variances should benefit the entire community, not just special interests. When the properties of community members are negatively impacted by zoning changes and variances, their owners should be protected and appropriately compensated.
Housing
Sustainable housing opportunities using creative solutions, such as repurposed commercial space, can help meet our growing housing needs. Public housing funds must be administered fairly, according to law, and be distributed on a nondiscriminatory basis. Unlicensed builders and unscrupulous landlords flout the law, cut corners, and endanger public safety. As County Executive, I will strengthen code enforcement and press county and state prosecutors to hold violators accountable.
As a member of the County Planning Board for more than a decade, I understand the complexities of commercial and residential development in our growing county. Although county government has limited authority over land use decisions, I will use the office to be a forceful, fearless advocate for fairness and transparency in the public interest.
Rockland is one of the safest counties in the nation because of the people who answer the call—our Sheriff’s Department and local police. Equally vital are our volunteer firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, ambulance corps, crisis response teams, and neighbors who step up when crisis strikes. So many of these heroes are volunteers who train for hours, leave their beds in the middle of the night, and ask for nothing in return. To every volunteer—and to the families and employers who support them—thank you. Your service is the backbone of Rockland.
A Parietti administration will protect, support, and stand beside those who keep our community safe. It’s common sense, and it will be a priority under my leadership.
Clean water is non-negotiable. Lake DeForest and our local wells, public and private, supply every household in Rockland. Yet development pressure, toxic “forever chemicals,” and weak oversight threaten this lifeline. PFAS contamination has already been found in local wells. We can’t afford business as usual.
As County Executive, I’ll fight for strict protection of our reservoirs, streams, and aquifers; hold polluters accountable; and demand full transparency from utilities. We’ll insist our watershed be safeguarded because nothing is more basic to life and health, and we’ll protect what sustains us—our soil, forests, clean air, wildlife, and every natural resource that makes Rockland livable.
From innovative start-ups to thriving small businesses, major corporations, and multinationals, Rockland’s prosperity depends on creativity and productivity. And the economy is at a transition point.
The AI revolution is here, and our county government must harness its potential and ensure it serves the public good. This will require an administration with the vision and expertise to plan for and integrate AI into our future.
By capitalizing on our prime location, natural beauty, and cultural richness, Rockland can attract world-class events and become a premier destination, bringing customers, investment, and opportunity for every kind of business. As County Executive I will work to strengthen the business environment for the benefit of all.
Every child, whether in public or private school, needs an education that meets state standards and prepares them for the future. It is shocking that this should be controversial in our county and our state.
In East Ramapo, public school students have been systematically shortchanged through the siphoning off of public resources to benefit private religious schools. Other school districts in Rockland are now also at risk.
Meanwhile, many students in religious private schools receive little or no secular subject coursework. It’s a fiscal reality: Rockland cannot prosper if our residents lack the education to provide for themselves and their families. Denied that foundation, too many struggle as adults to find good jobs and end up needing to rely on public assistance, driving up costs for every taxpayer.
The county doesn’t run the schools, but the County Executive can, and must, be a relentless advocate for quality education for Rockland’s children. I will stand up and be that advocate for every student in our county.
Rockland commuters face some of the longest, most expensive commutes in the region. Yet, under the current administration, Rockland’s position on the MTA has been vacant for 2 years. As County Executive, I’ll fight to fix that. I’ll fight to get our fair share of state and federal dollars for visionary projects, like a single-seat ride to NYC. I will lead a long-overdue overhaul of the Route 59 corridor, making it safer, less congested, and easier to navigate. Energy, vision, and independence will enable me to undertake long-term projects today to build a better future.
A healthy community isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation for everything else we value in Rockland. The measles outbreaks, West Nile virus, and other threats have made one thing clear: we need a public health system that is prepared and can move fast to protect everyone. As County Executive, I’ll fight for disease prevention, clean air and water, safe housing, and strong county health programs. We’ll be ready for the next crisis, guard against environmental hazards, and ensure that every neighborhood is served fairly and effectively. Public health is the bedrock of our shared future.
