County Executive Elect Day Pushing For Salary Reduction Legislation

Day, who ran on the Republican and Rockland Preserve lines, won on Tuesday beating Democrat David Fried, who also ran on the Working Families and Independence lines. Day received 36, 542 votes (51.9 percent) to Fried’s 32,311 votes (45.9 percent). 

Day, who is currently a county legislator, said he contacted Legislative Chair Harriet Cornell about adding his resolution proposing 10 percent salary cuts for elected county officials under new business on tonight’s meeting agenda. He said the resolution had not been acted upon since its October introduction and time was limited for it to be put in place. Day said he had been reaching out to fellow legislators Wednesday. 

“If we do not move this forward tonight we will not be able to implement it next year,” he said. 

Day said the proposal would have to be acted on quickly in order for reductions in the county executive and county clerk’s salaries to take effect for January 1, 2014 when the new terms begin. The cuts would not affect elected officials who are in the middle of their terms. Cornell could not be immediately reached for comment.

Day said he intends to remain in his county legislator post until December 31st because he has an obligation to represent the 18,000 people in his district. He said it was critical to continue in the position since the county budget process is under way. He said the legislature has 30 days from his resignation to appoint a replacement if no action is taken then a special election would be held.

Several transitions will take place.

“It is critical we hit the ground running on January 1st,” Day said.

Day said he would be resigning from his fulltime job as a security consultant and focusing on addressing county issues. He has been on a leave of absence for several months. Current County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef called Day to congratulate him and the two will be sitting down soon and Day hopes to meet with county departments heads as well. 

“We will be putting together a transition team,” he said. 

Day said his son Chris, who worked as his campaign manager, would have an unofficial role on his transition team.

In his victory speech, Day spoke about Chris.

“There were questions early on about whether or not my selection for campaign manager and media and strategist (were the best),” said Day. “I will tell you now, Chris Day, my son, I warned people he is very skilled in two things important to politics: combat and logistics. I think Chris showed everybody what a good campaign manager is about." 

Although Day stated his son would make an excellent deputy county executive based on his achievements and intelligence, he would not appoint him, saying he would not offer it and Chris would not accept it.

The legislature is meeting at 7 p.m. tonight at the county office building at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.