Former County Executive Candidate Offers “50 Ideas For A Better Rockland”

Although Dagan Lacorte is currently off the Democratic primary ballot in the race for Rockland County Executive that has not stopped him from suggesting solutions to the county’s financial problems. He recently unveiled "50 Ideas for a Better Rockland" aimed at getting the county's finances in shape.

Lacorte’s petitions were ruled invalid by the county Board of Elections after opponent David Fried’s campaign challenged them. Hearings on Lacorte’s appeal of the Board of Elections decision to remove him from the ballot began earlier this week in Rockland County Supreme Court and will continue on Monday. 

Among Lacorte's recommendations are fiscal measures such as bringing county property taxes under the tax cap, balancing the county budget, eliminating pay raises for politicians and consolidating all agencies and boards regulating environmental policy into a Parks, Preservation and Environmental Stewardship Commission. 

"I am the only candidate with a specific plan to get taxes under Governor Cuomo's tax cap like I have in Suffern, stand up to the special interests and fight overdevelopment," Lacorte said, "This campaign is about who has a proven record of holding down taxes and a clear vision for Rockland's future."

Lacorte also suggested actions to make the county more attractive and livable including expansion of the façade improvement program to Route 59, which is the main commercial corridor, exempting aging in place improvements from increased tax assessments to encourage more seniors to remain in their homes and create a Rockland Creative Coalition to promote different cultures and expand the creative community.

Other suggestions include creating a Hudson Riverfront Preservation Alliance to review developments within one mile of the Hudson shoreline, repealing the county’s tax on electric and gas bills and lobbying for a county representative on the state Public Service Commission.

The full list of 50 Ideas for a Better Rockland can be found at www.solutions2013.com

Lacorte has been Suffern’s mayor since 2009 and describes himself as a progressive Democrat.