Dutchess Executive Molinaro, left, with Poughkeepsie Mayor Rolison,
prepare for the run
POUGHKEEPSIE – Getting ready for the Walkway Race Series Marathon
today, local officials and community athletes with disabilities participated
in the inaugural Think Differently Dash, Saturday morning, on Main Street
in Poughkeepsie. The one mile run/walk race was dedicated to individuals
with developmental disabilities.
Think Differently, Dutchess County’s new image and branding campaign,
was launched earlier this year by County Executive Marcus Molinaro and
the county government.
Molinaro said part of “thinking differently” and staying true
to the campaign, is recognizing that everyone in a community is a vital
part of it, and not one person within the community is fundamentally different
from any other person of that same community.
“On the inside we’re all the same,” said Molinaro. “We
achieve the same. We accomplish same. We strive the same way; so, we have
to think differently about how we treat one another, show respect, support,
of everyone, of every ability and that’s what today and Think Differently
is all about.”
Poughkeepsie Mayor Robert Rolison admitted being mayor made it a bit hard
for him to train for the run; however, echoing Molinaro’s sentiment
about the event, said the event wasn’t really about that.
“If you look at all the people that are here today that are going
to go down this main street, this is our street: Main Street and it’s
a great example when you talk about thinking differently, and thinking
differently about one another, it’s also thinking about how we’re
all really the same,” said Rolison.
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18), who also participated in
the race, said beforehand, knowing that he can handle holding public office
gave him the certainty he was in shape for the run; but again, like Molinaro
and Rolison, attested to the race being more of an exercise in community.
“I think I’m in pretty good shape! You got to be to do this
job. Yes, we’re getting ready to run across the Walkway, we’re
celebrating our family members with developmental disabilities, and it’s
a really basic message: We don’t have people to waste in America
and we’re only as strong as the ones we are still trying to bring
into the full fold of our community. So, that’s what we’re
doing today and it’s a great day,” said Maloney.
The Walkway Race Series will continue Sunday morning on the Walkway Over
Hudson, where Dutchess County Executive Molinaro is scheduled to race
in the half marathon in a $500 wager match against State Assemblyman Kieran
Lalor (R- NY105). The winner will get to donate the $500 to the charity
of their choice.
