Councilmember Yvonne Flowers announces run for mayor.
POUGHKEEPSIE – Democratic City of Poughkeepsie Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers, who represents Ward Five, has officially announced that she is going to run for mayor.
Flowers got the inspiration for public service from her father.
“My dad had taught us to do whatever we can to give back to our city and I have worked hard in this city for decades. I’m born and raised here and I just want to see the improvements in our city,” she said.
Flowers said that when her brother, community caregiver Frankie Flowers floated the idea of either one of them running for the office, “I thought he was crazy,” admitting that she had no aspirations to run for any higher office.
The councilwoman has been the topic of conversation among several segments of the community as the successor to Mayor Rob Rolison, who is unable to run for a third term because of term limits. Flowers said, “For the last few months, I have been approached and encouraged to run for Mayor. I appreciate the overwhelming support that I have received from so many in our community, and I appreciate the vote of confidence that I would do a great job.”
Flowers indicated that she has discussed the campaign with her family, and afterward, she posted on social media that she was adding her name to the list of candidates for mayor.
“Since my name has been buzzing around the city as a mayoral candidate, it has also been attached to rumors in efforts to discredit my name,” Flowers added. “Let me set the record straight. I have not made any backroom deals with anyone, and I have not made any promises to anyone in regards to an administration position in exchange for their support,” Flowers stressed, noting that she will not make that type of commitment to anyone. “My motto from the beginning has been ‘Poughkeepsie before Politics.’ and I will continue to stand firm with that belief.”
Flowers says that she is committed to the residents and stakeholders of the city who are seeking to improve the quality of life in Poughkeepsie. “If a person can’t support me based on the work I have done for this city, the commitment, and passion to unite and collaborate with others to help improve our city, then I don’t want their support and that is not the type of people I want in my circle.”
Listing the characteristics that she seeks in supporters while laying out her platform, Flowers said, “I want people surrounding me who will stay focused on what truly matters – uniting this city and help diminish the Northside and Southside divide, invest more in our youth and provide the supports they need to become productive citizens, reduce the violence in our city, continue to revitalize our city to promote economic growth and keep this city fiscally stable and continue to work on ensuring residents have adequate and affordable housing options.”
