Orangetown Town Supervisor Won't Seek Re-election

ORANGETOWN, NY — Orangetown Town Supervisor Chris Day will not seek a second term in office, he said at a press conference Tuesday.

The Orangetown Republican party has a limited amount of time to pick another candidate.
Nominating petitions are due Thursday, according to The Journal News. Robert Tompkins is the Democratic party's candidate for supervisor.

Chris Day blamed his decision on his father, Rockland County Executive Ed Day, saying he couldn't take the stress and lies. He was accompanied at the press conference by his wife, Jennifer, and his mother, Jean, who is the process of a divorce from Ed Day.

The measles outbreak in Rockland was the proximate cause for the turmoil in the family going public. Chris Day called for a State of Emergency to be declared after he narrowly missed taking his new baby into a store that had been just visited by a contagious person. The measles virus is so virile it lingers for up to two hours after a contagious person has left an area. Ed Day declared a State of Emergency three days later. Chris Day announced he was working with Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder on an English-Yiddish public service announcement promoting vaccination. Wieder is one of Ed Day's political foes. Ed Day told The Journal News he hoped the collaboration between the two would bring some benefit to Orangetown — and the whole family feud blew up on social media.

After Chris Day announced he would not seek re-election, but instead run a local car wash he co-owns, Ed Day issued a statement:

“This entire situation is a sad commentary on what can happen when private family matters are made public. Let me state, unequivocally, that my support for my son and his political career has been unwavering. I have never worked against him and have in fact supported him both publicly, financially and privately behind the scenes. Anyone who has been through a divorce knows that it is not only difficult for the people directly involved but for their children as well; my heart breaks in this situation.

Previous to this recent public dispute Chris and I had been able to put our personal situation aside and work together for the good of the people of Orangetown and of Rockland County; replacing the Orangeburg Road bridge and looking for ways to save taxpayer money through the consolidation of our sewer districts. I want to reassure the people of Orangetown that this will continue to be the case.

I applaud and am proud of my son for all he has been able to accomplish for the people of Orangetown and looked forward to his great future. Nothing that is said will ever take away my appreciation for his military service to our nation, his help on my campaign for County Executive and the work he has done for Orangetown.

Given the public nature of these accusations, first on social media and now at a press conference, I have written to the Acting District Attorney Kevin Gilleece and asked that he review the allegations made against me in reference to the awarding of governmental contracts. I firmly refute their validity and look forward to his prompt response to this matter.

It saddens me that this has all played out so publicly but I remain steadfast in my desire to serve the people of Rockland and my record shows that I am able to fully discharge my duties regardless of any personal situation.

I wish Chris well in his next endeavor and as a father and a grandfather hope we can reconcile our differences in the future.”