This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Rockland 1, Haters 0

Last night I watched with absolute joy as my friend Ed Day was elected to be the next Rockland County Executive. I actually had a little mist in my eyes, and once his victory was announced I smiled more than I usually do. Those that know me know I don’t do a lot of PDA (public display of affection), but how could I not last night? There were an awful lot of negative things said about Ed, as there were about his opponent as well. I would like to think those who were fervent in their off the chart attacks for either side were not people who were actually close to either candidate, but we will never really know.


What I do know is this was not a win for any established political party last night, although I know party leaders will take great credit for Ed’s win. This was a win for the average Rockland citizen who wants this beautiful county to have a chance to rebuild and replenish for the next generation and beyond. That is why many voters, regardless of party affiliation, voted for Ed.


As a volunteer for Ed’s campaign, I am delighted to have been able to play a small part in Ed’s march to victory. I know there were a lot of good people behind Ed, but when you compare the number of volunteers to the number of people we needed to reach it was a really a relatively small yet energetic group that pounded the pavement over the campaign. The key to success belongs to the people of Rockland who came out in large numbers yesterday that made this win possible.


Growing up in Brooklyn, it turns out Ed and I lived less than 1/2 mile apart, although I never met him way back then. When I started working as a young rookie cop in Harlem, one of the people who took the time and effort to give me some good advice and tutelage was a guy named Ed Day. We didn’t hang out together or socialize, but I recognized then that Ed was a person with great presence about him. When I first ran for Town Justice in Clarkstown, one of the people who provided insight and guidance was a Legislator named Ed Day, who now lived 2 miles away from me. We still did not circulate in the same social circles, but we certainly crossed paths far more often and have had a great relationship with what I believe was mutual respect for one another.


It was with that history that I was honored to become part of what I referred to as Team Day. I came aboard in April, and knew it was going to be a busy 6 months. Frankly, I had no idea which way this race was going to go. I was cautiously optimistic last night as the returns began to come in, but quickly realized that it was going to be yet another ride on the wacky political roller-coaster. Up, then down, then up, then down, then down again, then up and finally, 100% in and Ed is declared the winner! What a warm, wonderful feeling that was. I have been at too many political gatherings at the end of election day where I or those I supported were on the losing end. I know how bad a feeling that is. I appreciated the graciousness of David Fried as he conceded the race to Ed, and I certainly was inspired by the dignity Ed displayed as he gave his acceptance speech. This was truly a win for all of Rockland, and was fueled by many grass roots organizations that came together and inspired a county.


I don’t envy Ed though; he knows what lies ahead of him. We see at every level of politics those who run for office can say anything they want. They can tell you what they believe you want to hear. Winning a race, especially when you come from a minority party (which the Republican party is in Rockland), is hard. Winning when you have just your own party line and a start-up line as Preserve Rockland was, against an opponent who has the major party line and two strong third-party lines is unbelievable. What could be tougher than that? The answer is trying to steer a county that is $120+ million in debt in the right direction. It is almost as if we were on the Titanic, the lookout just spotted the iceberg dead ahead, and the Captain decided it was time to step aside and let someone else try to steer the ship. Ed is getting his hands on the wheel at a very precarious time, and in order to miss the iceberg a lot needs to happen. 


Ed is going to need to build relationships that cut across party lines to work with our legislature, which has its own need to look in the mirror as a collective body and figure out quickly how to do much better in representing the people of Rockland. Ed needs to work with all the diverse groups that live here, each with their own needs and concerns, but all with the common bond of being a part of the fabric of our communality. Looking at those who were at the Comfort Inn last night I believe Ed is well ahead in terms of forging those relationships, but there is need for more outreach and I know Ed and his team will work on that immediately.


In the days leading up to the election, a flyer was circulated that purported to be from over 30 rabbi’s and other leaders of the Orthodox community, urging support for David Fried. They portrayed Ed just short of the devil himself, claiming Ed and his agenda would be detrimental to their community. I have known Ed for a long time, and what I know for certain is this - Ed will not target anyone or any group based upon perceptions and bias. But he will not shy away from looking anywhere and everywhere to root out corruption and fraud, no matter where that may lead. If that leads to groups or areas that were heretofore politically insulated, then that is where it will lead. So for anyone of any race, color, creed, ethnicity or social or economic stature, you have a new County Executive who stands on his own two feet and will not be fearful of upsetting you by examining areas that have the smell and appearance of impropriety. For those who have not been “gaming the system” they have no reason to fear Ed Day and his “agenda”. Ed’s agenda has been, and I believe will continue to be the protection and enhancement of the quality of life of the citizens of Rockland who want to do things the right way - work hard, be ethically and morally true, and grow our county back to where we, our children and our grandchildren can live and prosper. Those who choose to try to better themselves by manipulation of others, no matter the cost to the people and communities that surround them; well they may have a reason to be afraid because the status quo may be changing. This is not anti-semitism as some will undoubtedly portray it. There are those who believe in truth, justice and the American way as it was when I was a kid growing up in Brooklyn, and it just so happens our new County Executive happens to be one of them.


I suppose I could gloat, especially to those 8-10 commenters who relentlessly bashed Ed over the past months with increasing vitriol, but I don’t need to. Ed just picked up the ultimate political endorsement last night - that of the constituency he will represent. I wish him nothing but success, and the fortitude to withstand all he will be faced with in the weeks, months and years to come.


Oh, and by some miracle should 4,000+ absentee votes come in for David Fried making him the winner, disregard everything written above! 

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