In a concerted effort to maintain close ties with local government, New York State Assemblyman Aron Wieder (D–97th District) dedicated the summer recess period to a comprehensive series of meetings with elected leaders and key officials across every municipality within his district. While the Assembly was not in session, Wieder focused on identifying local priorities and exploring how his office could advance legislation, secure state funding, and resolve issues involving state agencies.
“These were not simply courtesy visits, but substantive, action-oriented discussions,” Assemblyman Wieder stated. “Rockland continues to evolve, and our municipal leaders are addressing challenges on the ground every day. By listening carefully, we can better direct state resources to meet the real needs of our families.”
The outreach began at the county level with in-depth conversations on broader regional priorities:
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County Executive Ed Day reviewed the county’s legislative agenda for 2026, including public health initiatives, expanded access to affordable child care services, and environmental resilience grants.
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District Attorney Tom Walsh examined prosecutorial resource needs and potential state-level support for the office’s ongoing operations.
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Sheriff Louis Falco discussed public safety enhancements, notably the countywide License Plate Reader (LPR) camera network that has accelerated case resolutions, along with equipment modernization and community programs.
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County Clerk Donna Silberman explored opportunities for collaboration on record digitization and improved civic engagement.
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Legislature Chair Jay Hood, members, and Clerk Larry Toole focused on aligning county resolutions with state policy and securing supplemental funding.
In the towns and villages, Wieder met directly with municipal leadership to address specific local concerns:
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In the Town of Ramapo, the county’s largest municipality, Wieder conferred with Supervisor Michael Specht, Chief of Staff Mona Montal, and Police Chief Danny Hyman on critical upgrades to aging infrastructure and advancing supportive legislation.
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In the Town of Orangetown, Supervisor Teresa Kenny and Police Chief Donald Butterworth outlined priorities including traffic management improvements, park revitalization, flood mitigation projects, and needed legislative changes. Wieder also attended a meeting of Orangetown fire chiefs in Piermont to hear directly from the district’s firefighters about their operational and equipment needs. He pledged to advocate for expedited approvals and necessary state resources across these areas.
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In the Village of Spring Valley, the largest village in the district, Wieder met with outgoing Mayor Alan Simon, Mayor-elect Schenley Vital, and Police Chief Richard Oleszczuk. He presented Mayor Simon with a New York State Assembly citation honoring his decades of dedicated service and personal commitment to village residents. The discussion centered on state-level assistance with housing affordability and emergency response coordination. Wieder noted that state-level guidance will prove invaluable as the village moves forward under new leadership.
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In the Village of Chestnut Ridge, Wieder attended the village board’s monthly meeting alongside Mayor Rosario Presti, Jr., Deputy Mayor Chaim Rose, and trustees to listen to the village’s concerns and discuss how his office can assist. The board emphasized the urgent need for upgrades to aging infrastructure and requested state aid to address these critical issues.
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In the Village of New Square, Mayor Israel Spitzer reviewed the village’s infrastructure modernization needs and the importance of additional recreational space for children; Wieder committed to pursuing available state funding streams.
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In the Village of Kaser, Mayor Ally Pinkasovits highlighted the new bus depot that enhances transportation countywide and reduces congestion; Wieder expressed full support and offered to facilitate further state partnerships.
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In the Village of Pomona, Mayor Ilan Fuchs thanked Assemblyman Wieder for his earlier assistance—while serving as a county legislator—in securing funding for two new playgrounds and broader park upgrades. The conversation then turned to continued priorities, including school safety enhancements and aging infrastructure improvements.
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In the Village of New Hempstead, Mayor Abe Sicker detailed critical infrastructure upgrades required for utilities and roadways; Wieder assured the mayor of his continued advocacy in Albany.
The series of meetings, conducted from June through October, has positioned Assemblyman Wieder to champion Rockland County priorities when the 2026 legislative session convenes.
“This outreach has strengthened the vital partnership between state and local government,” Assemblyman Wieder concluded. “By meeting face-to-face with leaders in every corner of the 97th District, we have built a clear roadmap for delivering real results—whether through new legislation, increased funding, or cutting red tape at state agencies. I am proud of what we have accomplished together during this recess and look forward to turning these discussions into meaningful progress for Rockland families in the coming session.”
Residents seeking assistance with district-related matters are encouraged to contact Assemblyman Wieder’s office directly at 845-624-4601.
