Candidate Profile: Francis Seeks District 10 Seat On County Board

NEW CITY, NY — Election season 2023 election is here and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Raymond Francis is vying with Beth Davidson for the District 10 seat in the Rockland County Legislature being vacated by longtime lawmaker Harriet Cornell. A code enforcement officer for the town of Clarkstown, he is president of the CSEA. He is on the board of the Helen Hayes Foundation and an officer in Clarkstown's auxiliary police force. The 57-year-old lives in New City and is married with a daughter. He attended the College of Staten Island.

Campaign website: friendsofraymondfrancis.com

Patch: Why are you seeking this office?

Francis: Rockland County is at an important crossroads. We are in the midst of an illegal housing crisis that has to be addressed. County Executive Ed Day has done remarkable things for us, but he needs support on the legislature in order to keep us going in the right direction. My core beliefs in fair and effective code enforcement, fiscal responsibility, and support of our first responders perfectly aligns me with the County Executive on the issues that matter most. I will be a vote in support of County Executive Day, as opposed to a vote for the Democratic contingency from Ramapo currently in control of the legislature.

Patch: What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

Francis: I believe I am aligned with the values that matter the most for the average Rockland resident. We need to protect our quality of life, our school districts, and our first responders. Consistent and effective code enforcement, responsible zoning, and fiscal responsibility are my first priorities. My experience as a Code Enforcement Officer for almost 8 years and my service as a Police Auxiliary volunteer make me uniquely qualified to serve on the legislature.

Patch: What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

Francis: The overall threat of illegal housing and irresponsible development is the most pressing issue we face. I plan to use my experience as a code enforcement officer to help the County devise new and more effective tools to combat illegal housing and protect the integrity of our neighborhoods.

Patch: How would you address the affordable housing issue in the community?

Francis: I think we are talking about HUD funded affordable housing, especially for seniors, the main issue is that it needs to be expanded in areas where it makes sense. The state needs to use incentives to allow local municipalities to encourage the development of affordable housing where it best serves the community and not by forcing it upon us without proper planning. But, I think that what is really missing is "middle" level housing options where young people and first responders can afford to live. We need to encourage that type of housing growth here in Rockland.

Patch: How would you protect the drinking water in the community?

Francis: The safety of our drinking water is largely regulated by federal and state standards. New York State's regulations are among the strictest in the nation. I believe the main concern for Rockland's drinking water supply is in the limited access to resources that uniquely applies to our county. Rockland government must work to protect the Ramapo River from pollution, but we have no control over what takes place upriver. I believe the best approach right now is to build a political bridge with Orange County to draft an Intermunicipal Agreement focused on protecting the river’s long term sustainability. This needs to be done quickly, as booming population growth in segments of both Rockland and Orange are a clear threat to the water supply, particularly in Rockland where we are limited in our ability to outsource water. In my view, step one is coming to a consensus that winning short term battles on growth and development are essentially pointless if all sides will eventually lose when a vital resource collapses and is no longer viable in the long term.

Patch: What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Francis: My main focus will be strengthening the tools at our disposal to maintain our quality of life. Strengthening the Illegal Housing Task Force, improving the Rockland County Codes Initiative, and leveraging the County Health Department to protect our neighborhoods is what matters most now.

Patch: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Francis: I have been very fortunate to work in several roles where I have learned a great deal about conflict resolution and finding common ground with others. Rockland needs elected officials who are looking to unite us in building a better future. In my roles as a Code Enforcement Officer, Police Auxiliary volunteer, and Union President, I have dealt with many situations where people with completely opposite goals and perspectives needed to be brought together to find a way forward. We all have to follow the same rules which are equally enforced for everyone. I have learned to stand by and uphold the law while still respecting the beliefs and rights of others. Rockland County needs that type of leadership now more than ever.

Patch: What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Francis: He didn't tell me this directly of course, but John Adams once said that "every problem is an opportunity in disguise". I try to remember that whenever faced with a challenge.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Francis: I was 14 years old when my parents moved to the United States in 1981 with the hope of providing my siblings and I the opportunity to pursue the “American Dream”. As Egyptian Christians, they had very limited opportunities in their homeland and wanted to give our family a chance to achieve prosperity, success and social advancement through determination and hard work. We settled in Brooklyn and I eventually moved to Rockland County in 1995. I fell in love with the community and knew I wanted to embrace every opportunity to contribute in any way possible.

My volunteer journey began in 2007 as a Laurel Plains PTA member. I later became an Executive Board member. In 2010, I joined the Clarkstown Auxiliary Police Department and worked toward achieving the honor of being elected to the position of Lieutenant.

In 2015, I began serving as an Usher at St. Francis of Assisi Church in West Nyack.

In 2021, I was elected as the local CSEA Union President for the Town of Clarkstown employees and continue to serve in that role. In 2022, I was elected as an Executive Board member of the Helen Hayes Foundation.

I am currently employed in the Clarkstown Building Department as a Code Enforcement Officer. One of the key responsibilities associated with this position is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our residents.

As your County Legislator, I will honorably represent our community and the issues that matter most in protecting our quality of life.