“It’s Time for New Leadership”
Rockland County, like the rest of the nation, faces serious economic challenges in the immediate future. Although we are not unique in this regard, we have been left particularly vulnerable as a result of a lack of strong fiscal discipline at the county level. In these tough times, we need new leadership to get us back on a course of fiscal stability and economic growth.
Rockland Needs Open, Honest Budgeting
It starts with a new, honest approach to our County budget. We need to end the longstanding practice of misstating revenues to produce a budget that is balanced on paper only. We need to stop running deficits in healthy economic times, as we have in the past. Elected officials need to tell the truth about what’s being raised from the taxpayers, and how it’s being spent. We need a County Executive who will use his line item veto power to cut wasteful spending, and who recognizes that taxpayers deserve a budget process that is open and accountable.
Building Rockland’s Economy
Smart fiscal practices are only half of the solution, however. We need to grow Rockland’s economy to bring in good jobs and good wages. The County Executive needs to be fully committed and engaged in creating an environment that attracts new business and keeps good jobs here.
Protecting Rockland’s Environment
Finally, we need to recognize and protect those assets that we have in Rockland and our quality of life. That means protecting our open space and environment; making sure that workers have access to good-paying jobs; increasing affordable housing so that young people can afford to stay here and demanding that our schools are providing the high-quality education our children deserve.
The Leader Rockland Needs
Thom Kleiner will be the leader Rockland needs to get us through these tough times and make us stronger and better prepared for our future. His experience cleaning up Orangetown and getting it back on a sound fiscal footing is exactly what we need in our County Government; and his commitment to good jobs, quality neighborhoods and safe families is what we deserve as taxpayers.
photo courtesy Sally Savage
A Lifelong Call To Public Service – Thom’s Story.
In 1995, Thom made a choice to leave his legal career to make a commitment to serve fellow residents in Orangetown. Over the past fourteen years, Thom forged consensus with a primarily Republican Town Board to consistently improve the quality of life, while responsibly managing taxes and keeping budgets on track. Thom is continuing a family tradition of public service, and now wishes to extend his experience and leadership in order to serve all Rocklanders.
Thom Kleiner for
Rockland County Executive
Golf Tournament and Reception
Monday,July 13,2009
