Vanderhoef Leaves County Executive’s Office After 20 Years

Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef completes his final term in office today after serving five, four-year terms. Vanderhoef is Rockland’s second county executive. His future plans include opening a law office in Montebello and teaching at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill.

His office released a statement citing the accomplishments of his administration.

During his tenure Vanderhoef created the first Open Space Program, which resulted in the preservation of 1,200 acres of land, including three farms. The Republican county executive envisioned the county’s first riverfront park, Haverstraw Bay County Park, which houses Rockland’s 9-11 memorial. Over the past two decades county buildings have been modernized and rebuilt with eight new buildings and building extensions.  Among them are the new county courthouse and state-of-the-art Technology Building at Rockland Community College.

Vanderhoef worked with Legislator Harriet Cornell to establish the School of the 21st Century and increase the availability of affordable housing. The Office of Community Development funded more than 2,000 units of affordable housing.

During his first term, Rockland partnered with the U.S. Veterans Administration to establish a veterans' clinic.  Before 1996, fewer than 300 veterans were using VA outpatient services because the closest VA hospital was more than an hour away.  Currently, more than 6,000 veterans receive health services at the VA clinic in New City.

The statement also credited Vanderhoef with innovative social services and health programs; a computer mapping system; emergency services and public safety initiatives; economic development efforts; award-winning land-use plans; improved public transportation and a county property tax rate that remains among the lowest in the state.

As Vanderhoef re-enters the private sector, Ed Day prepares to take over as county executive. His swearing in ceremony takes place Wednesday in Pomona at 11 a.m.