Wolfe Will Not Seek Legislature Chairmanship in 2017

NEW CITY, NY —Alden H. Wolfe announced that he will not be seeking re-election at the board’s annual reorganization meeting, set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, wrapping up three years of service as Chairman of the Rockland County Legislature.

New leadership appointments will be made during the reorganization meeting.

“In a democracy, change in leadership is healthy and can allow for fresh ideas from successors,” Wolfe, a Democrat from Montebello who will continue to serve as a County Legislator, said in a written statement Friday afternoon. “That’s why I’ve decided not to seek re-election as Chairman of the Legislature. I’m proud of my many achievements throughout my time on the Legislature, but especially during my three incredible years as Chairman.”

Wolfe, an attorney, was appointed to the Legislature in 2006, elected in 2007, and re-elected in 2011 and again in 2015.

Highlighting his service during Rockland County government’s most turbulent financial period as the recession severely impacted its fiscal health and forced county leaders to make difficult but necessary decisions, Wolfe said he played a key role in correcting deficiencies in the county’s budgeting process. And he pointed out that during his tenure as Chairman the county’s deficit was reduced from a high of $138 million to an estimated $10 million (once the 2016 financial books are closed).

He also highlighted his bipartisan effort to make common sense changes to the Rockland County Charter through a public referendum that allowed the people to decide if they wanted the changes or not – and they did! Nearly 60 percent of voters backed the changes, which were structured to improve the efficiency of the annual budget process, increase fiscal oversight and enhance the systems of checks and balances between branches of government.

During Wolfe’s tenure as Chairman, he strongly advocated for the closure of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant due to numerous safety and environmental concerns and for an end to “bomb trains” - the transport of highly flammable crude oil and other hazardous liquids on local rail.

Wolfe established a Food Recovery Task Force – making Rockland’s the first Legislative body in the nation to join hands with the EPA in becoming an Endorser of the agency’s Food Recovery Challenge.

During his time as Chairman, he was a strong opponent of Suez’s proposed desalination plant and, in cooperation with elected officials and members of the public, brought the ill-conceived plan to its demise.

“It’s been an amazing three years as Chairman and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to serve Rockland County and all of its residents in this role,” Wolfe said. “I’ve always been so proud to call this wonderful county home and I look forward to continuing to work on behalf of our residents.”