By County Executive Ed Day
Every once in a while, something happens that reminds me why I chose a life of public service.
One may think the greatest privileges of serving as County Executive are balancing budgets, launching initiatives, or cutting ribbons—but for me, it’s the people. In public service, you meet thousands of people over the years, and while most of those interactions last only a few moments, some stay with you for life.
One of those relationships began with a memorable handshake from a young student named Emmett and recently came full circle as he prepared to leave for college.
I first met Emmett at a senior luncheon when he was an elementary school student. True to his personality, he introduced himself with a firm handshake and a memorable observation about the importance of one. It was a brief interaction, but one I never forgot.
A few years later, I learned that Emmett had been elected his fourth-grade class president. I stopped by his school to congratulate him on the achievement. It only took a few minutes, but seeing the pride on his face reinforced something I have always believed: recognizing someone’s hard work can make a world of difference.
Years passed, and our paths crossed again at his eighth-grade graduation. I was happy to congratulate him and celebrate another milestone in his young life.
Now, Emmett has completed his junior year of high school, graduating a year early, and is preparing to attend Cornell University’s engineering program this fall. But before beginning this next chapter, he stopped by my office for a visit.
While he came to thank me, I found myself grateful to him for the reminder that the connections we make in our community matter more than we often realize.
His story isn’t really about me. It’s about community.
Rockland has always been a community that looks out for one another, celebrates each other’s successes, and lends a hand when it’s needed most. That spirit is what makes this County such a special place to call home.
If there’s one lesson in Emmett’s story, it’s that building a stronger community doesn’t always require grand gestures.
Sometimes, it simply requires showing up for one another. I hope his story inspires others to do the same.