News

Rockland County Times
By Allison Lax

On the morning of Wednesday, January 24, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) announced his bill to rename the Haverstraw Post Office in honor of former Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato. Piperato, a Haverstraw Democrat who passed away on May 6, 2020 at the age of 61, was well known for his dedication to public service and involvement with civic organizations throughout the county, having also had a state highway and park named after him. Piperato has been remembered for his good nature and compassion.

“Paul Piperato was someone who, though elected as a Democrat, worked across the aisle with all his colleagues in government, showing them respect and decency,” Congressman Lawler said in his opening remarks. “That’s really who he was. He was a man who was well respected by his colleagues, well respected by his community, and beloved by Rockland County. He is missed.”

Piperato’s niece, Alexis Piperato, briefly spoke, thanking Congressman Lawler for taking the initiative on this legislation memorializing her uncle.

“Thank you to everybody that is here today showing your support and to those that took part in making this happen,” said Piperato. “We know many love and miss him every day and having this building named after him is permanent recognition of the impact he had and continues to have on everybody.”

County Executive Ed Day, Rockland Sheriff Lou Falco, Rockland County Clerk Donna Silberman, Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howie Phillips and
Mayor of the Village of Haverstraw also spoke at the short ceremony, echoing the personal and governmental impact Piperato made on Rockland County.

“This post office was built during the Depression, where people had to come together, work together,” noted Supervisor Phillips. “That’s what Paul did. He transcended politics. It wasn’t, ‘This is Democrat, everything is this way and we’re against them.’ It was reaching out, opening doors, creating opportunities, making sure that everybody knew that they were welcome.”

Congressman Lawler explained that before the Haverstraw Post Office can be officially renamed, he must get the consensus of his colleagues in the New York delegation to sign off on the change. They will then push to bring the legislation to the floor for a vote, where it is expected to be passed and signed into law.

“Obviously, this was a life cut short, a life that had a profound impact on this community and this county,” Congressman Lawler concluded. “Paul is someone that is deserving of all the accolades that we could bestow upon him. This is one (bill) from the federal level that I am happy to introduce and fight for its passage so we can come back here to dedicate this building in his name.”