Day Asks For Commissioner, Department Head Resignations

A letter sent Thursday, Dec. 19 to Rockland County’s 25 commissioners, department heads and directors requested their resignations by today. The letter from J. Guillermo Rosa, chief of staff and deputy county executive, for County Executive Elect Ed Day also asked them to submit letters of interest if they wanted to remain in their positions along with an explanation of how they can help the county. 

“These things are very routine,” said Day, adding that it is not uncommon for new leadership in the private and public sector to initiate a similar process. 

As of late Thursday, Day said he had received a number of responses.

“I have in my possession a little more than over half,” he said.

Day said those responses all included letters of resignation, letters of interest in staying on and the rationale for keeping them. He expects to review the materials with his advisers in the near future.

“I think legitimately speaking we will not be sitting down till the end of next week before making that initial review,” he said.

Decisions on the future of those commissioners, department heads and directors, whether reappointments, accepting their resignations or other options could be made immediately or take up to two months.

“I would look at a timeframe of 60 days at best to make decisions on the matter,” said Day.  

One resignation he plans to accept is that of the county tourism office coordinator. He emphasized that during his election campaign he said tourism should not be a separate department but part of overall economic development.

The letter went to those appointed as well as civil service union members. Day said he understood the union protections but is looking out for the welfare of the county as a whole.

Restructuring of departments is expected to be a separate part of the review process along with salary structure. Day said in some cases department heads make significantly less than their subordinates and that needs to corrected. His transition team has identified areas in which the county can operate smarter and more efficiently. 

“I’m not looking to hurt anybody,” said Day. “I’m looking to have a logically structured organization.”