State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, left, administers the oath to Robin Lois as her husband, Dale, right,
and their children, Alyssa and Derek look on
POUGHKEEPSIE – Robin Lois took the oath of office as Dutchess County comptroller before a packed house of supporters Saturday evening.
This was the Lois’ first run for political office. The Democrat defeated incumbent Republican James Coughlan.
She attributed her victory to bipartisan support, which was evident by those in attendance at her swearing in. County Executive Marcus Molinaro, Poughkeepsie Mayor Robert Rolison and State Senator Susan Serino, all Republicans attended along with Democratic Assembly Members Didi Barrett, Frank Skartados and newly elected State Supreme Court Justice Christi Acker.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli administered the oath of office.
“She has the smarts and she has the strength of character and she has the integrity,” DiNapoli said. “She has the personal characteristics that are saying Lois has “the smarts, the strength of character and the integrity that are in some ways to me are actually more important than the credentials that are on a piece of paper.”
Lois said she wants to increase the accountability and transparency of the county.
“I did not feel there were enough audits being done to make sure that we knew where our money was being spent.” she said. “ I did not think there was enough reporting out to the taxpayers, how things were being done. We didn’t really hear much from the comptroller’s office about how things were operating and where things were going so I do think I have a lot of opportunity to increase the transparency and reporting that comes out of that office.”
The first thing Lois intends to do when she goes to her office on Tuesday is find her parking space and where the bathroom is, she quipped.
