KINGSTON – Longtime public advocate March Gallagher was sworn in as Ulster County Comptroller on New Year’s Day after taking over the position of Elliot Auerbach, who was appointed deputy state comptroller last year.
Gallagher had been known for her work with philanthropic organizations, following her time working as part of former Assemblyman Maurice Hinchey’s staff, and working for the IDA.
Gallagher said her move to politics from philanthropy was inspired by bipartisan efforts and transparency, something she believes is integral to Ulster County’s team of officials.
Gallagher, who noted the several swearings-in on Wednesday, swore to some promises of her own for her tenure in office. “I am going to swear to work hard for you in this new position and I am going to swear that I will be as collaborative and bipartisan as I possibly can, and I swear to you that I am going to stick to my principles, even when it’s not popular,” said Gallagher. “I can’t wait to get to work tomorrow, shining a light and following the money.”
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who swore in Gallagher Wednesday, said the best comptrollers share this same ideal of integrity and ethics.
“The comptroller is the office that really is there to make sure that the money is spent appropriately,” said DiNapoli. “There’s nothing inconsistent with having a progressive view of an activist government and saying that the money has to be spent the right way. In fact, I would argue it’s even more important that you have that positive, progressive vision for what government is all about because you’re going to make sure that, in fact, the money is being spent the right way and that it’s going to be there to help people,” he said.
