Rockland Legislature Reorganization Rescheduled For Monday

Last week’s snowstorm resulted in the Rockland County Legislature rescheduling its reorganization meeting from Thursday to Monday at 7 p.m.

Legislators will vote on appointing Democrat Barry Kantrowitz to the District 5 seat vacated by Republican Ed Day, Rockland’s new 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 New City and Pomona. If he is appointed as anticipated, 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. Harriet Cornell (D-West Nyack) who has held that post since 2005 decided not to seek re-election. The legislature will also appoint a vice chairperson, a position currently held by Democratic Alden Wolfe (D-Suffern. After the selection of a vice chairperson, legislators will appoint the clerk to the legislature who then has the authority to appoint the deputy clerk. Laurence O. Toole and Mary Widmer currently hold those posts.

Democratic legislators will chose a majority party leader. Jay Hood (D-Haverstraw) is presently the majority party leader. Members of the legislature’s Republican minority will vote on a minority party leader. Cris Carey (R-Bardonia) has held that post for the past year.

The legislature meets in the county office building at 11 New Hempstead Road in New City and all meetings are open to the public.