UPDATE: Rockland Legislature Reorganization Tonight, Clarkstown Postponed

Editor's Note: The Rockland County Legislature announced Thursday afternoon that it was postponing its reorganization until Monday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. 

The Rockland County Legislature begins its 2014 session with its reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. tonight. The Town of Clarkstown originally planned its reorganization for 8 p.m. but has postponed it until Tuesday, Jan. 7 because of the approaching snowstorm.

Legislators will vote on appointing Democrat Barry Kantrowitz to the seat vacated by Republican Ed Day, Rockland’s newly sworn in county executive.  Kantrowitz, a 14-year resident of New City, is expected to win support of the legislature’s Democratic majority and be voted in to represent District 5, which covers New City and Pomona. If he is appointed as expected, the Democrats will represent 12 of the 17 legislative districts.  

Kantrowitz is a senior partner in the law firm of Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C. of Chestnut Ridge. He moved to Rockland with his family as a child and attended elementary, middle and high school in the county. Kantrowitz's community involvement includes being a member of the first class of Leadership Rockland and active with Junior Achievement of the Hudson Valley, the Rockland Community College Foundation, Jewish Federation of Rockland and JCC Rockland.  

Legislators will also appoint a new chairperson. Democrat Harriet Cornell who has held that post since 2005 decided not to seek re-election. After the selection of a vice chairperson, legislators will appoint the clerk and deputy clerk to the legislature. Laurence O. Toole and Mary Widmer currently hold those posts.

Democratic legislators will chose a majority party leader and members of the legislature’s Republican minority will vote on a minority party leader.

When Clarkstown holds its reorganization meeting on Tuesday, re-elected officials will be sworn in and Supervisor Alexander Gromack will deliver his "State of the Town" address.