Vanderhoef Names his Spokeswoman as New Tourism Director

C.J. Miller of Nanuet, who has been spokeswoman for Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef, is the county's new director of tourism.

Vanderhoef has appointed Miller to the $102,000-a-year post effective next Monday to fill the vacancy created by the death in July of longtime Tourism Director Heather Duke. In addition to Miller, the New City-based agency has two employees and one other vacant position.

Miller, 47, a Rockland County resident for more than 20 years, is a former journalist who has been part of Vanderhoef's staff since 2005. Miller said she has already had discussions with members of the Rockland County Legislature about the county's tourism efforts and her ideas for bringing more visitors to the county.

Miller's appointment comes at a time when the future of the county's tourism program is being examined.  As lawmakers look for ways of saving money, there have been suggestions that tourism efforts could be turned over to a private organization such as the Pearl River-based Rockland Economic Development Corporation.

Vanderhoef has supported keeping the tourism program in county government. Over the years, the agency has produced a variety of tourism brochures and runs a web site listing events around the county as well as information for people interested in moving to Rockland.

Miller said as she takes office she will be looking at the tourism agency's programs and spending to look for new efficiencies and potential savings. Miller said she would like to immediately start working on new efforts to promote Rockland communities including the Village of Haverstraw and downtown Pearl River.