POUGHKEEPSIE – For the first time since the pandemic altered everything, Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison is slated to give an in-person “State of the City Address” on Thursday, March 31. Rolison’s last live citywide speech occurred in 2019.
“It’s really great that we’re going to be able to do it and have people there,” Rolison said, anticipating a large turnout at the Changepoint Church Theater. The address, which covers recent accomplishments and announces new initiatives will also be live-streamed on the city’s Facebook page.
Rolison said the address will highlight how the administration worked diligently during the pandemic by “Keeping our employees safe so they could continue to provide essential services and to make sure the public had confidence in City government during the pandemic. Providing accurate and timely information on a rapidly changing environment as the pandemic progressed was, and still is, a focus of the administration. The latest tool available to the public is the website dedicated to showing the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding released by the federal government to help local governments.
Rolison is expected to focus on the city’s youth, including the Dutchess County Youth Opportunity Union project on the former YMCA site in the city. “Children are our future and I know that even more now that I am a grandfather,” Rolison gleaned as he referenced the recent birth of his granddaughter Alena, born two weeks ago.
The speech, considered “bittersweet” by Rolison because it is his next-to-last such speech, is also expected to cover the new sales tax agreement between Poughkeepsie and the county, substantial investment in the city’s infrastructure and improvements, and updates on police reform and recruiting. Poughkeepsie has been recognized as a model for other police departments needing to comply with recent Executive Orders issued from Albany. Neighboring departments have told Mid-Hudson News that the city’s guidelines for using body-worn cameras for police are the foundation for departments across the state seeking to implement the same program.
Rolison, speaking with Mid-Hudson News on Tuesday said that he is proud of the accomplishments his team has achieved since being elected in 2016, and looks he looks forward to his team’s plan being the blueprint for continued success after he leaves office at the end of 2023.
