WATCH: Elected Officials Reflect on Impact of Rockland Daily’s Local Reporting

By Yisroel R.

Rockland Daily hosted a belated Chanukah meet-and-greet Tuesday night, bringing together a wide range of local elected officials for an evening of community engagement. During the event, officials who spoke highlighted Rockland Daily’s growth in recent years, praising the outlet for its accurate, objective reporting and consistent coverage of local news. Speakers noted that Rockland Daily has filled a long-standing gap in Rockland County journalism, earning trust across communities and levels of government through professionalism and a commitment to reporting the facts.

State Assemblyman Aron Weider said Rockland Daily has helped restore meaningful local journalism after years in which residents felt underserved. He noted that for a long time, local politics and community issues were not receiving proper coverage, but that Rockland Daily has changed that by bringing legitimate, consistent news to the entire Rockland community.

State Senator Bill Weber echoed that sentiment, saying it is always important to have strong local news, especially in recent years when local journalism has been minimized. He added that Rockland Daily works hard to deliver accurate reporting at all hours, whether early in the morning or later in the day, and emphasized the importance of reliable local journalism.

Ramapo Chief of Staff Mona Montal noted that Rockland Daily reports on all news across Rockland County, not limited to any single community, helping bring people together regardless of background or political affiliation.

Mayor of Montebello Lance Millman thanked Rockland Daily for organizing the event, saying it created an opportunity for local officials to meet one another, work together, and strengthen cooperation.

Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh drew a comparison between the Chanukah theme of light overcoming darkness and the role of objective journalism, saying that factual reporting helps bring clarity during challenging times.

Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann said that over the past few years, Rockland Daily has grown into a prominent news outlet in Rockland County, adding that its work has become an important part of the local media landscape.

Ramapo Town Supervisor Michael Specht said he has been impressed by how Rockland Daily has grown and become increasingly professional over the past few years. He shared that in the past, speaking to reporters often caused anxiety out of concern that words might be taken out of context, but said that Rockland Daily represents officials fairly and objectively.

Town of Haverstraw Supervisor Howard Phillips stressed that media and truth both matter, adding that Rockland Daily reflects those values by focusing on facts without an agenda and by building communication and cooperation across the community.