POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro gave his farewell address on Friday as his 11-year tenure as county executive comes to an end on December 31. Molinaro was elected to Congress in November and is heading to Washington to represent New York’s 19th Congressional District.
Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver introduced the man he described as a “friend and mentor” who has a long list of accomplishments because “his heart is always in the right spot.”
Recalling his 28 years as an elected official, to date, Molinaro noted that he began his service on the Tivoli Board of Trustees in 1994, including six terms as mayor while also serving on the Dutchess County Legislature. In 2006 Molinaro was elected to the New York State Assembly where he served before returning to Dutchess to be elected county executive at the age of 36. Molinaro is the seventh county executive in the history of Dutchess County.
“We have repeatedly reached across the aisle, across the state, and across the nation to improve the life of our community and the lives of those who call it home,” he told a capacity crowd in the legislative chambers. Touching on the many publicized problems facing the state and federal governments, Molinaro noted that the Dutchess County government has been responsive and efficient under his leadership.
Touting the many accomplishments during his tenure as the leader of the county, including expansion of elder care and veterans, open space preservation, and vital mental health services, the congressman-elect pointed out that those large-scale accomplishments were not his alone but rather the result of teamwork with a number of employees and other leaders. “I’ve had the good fortune to have been a part of an amazing team – smart, skilled, caring professionals who accepted the challenge of working for this community, and they have flourished.”
Molinaro humbly admitted that while teamwork made improvements to the county, he was solely responsible for a few missteps. “I, too, know that my time here should be judged not only for the successes but also the missteps. Those are mine and mine alone,” he said. “What I hope might be remembered is that we were not afraid to make mistakes. For it was in those moments that we tested our solutions, pushed our limits, fell but lifted ourselves, and carried on.”
He wrapped up the address, saying, “What we have built together will last for generations to come. We made Dutchess County stronger and safer. We made her more caring and secure. And we leave this community, which I love, in good hands.”
A portion of Molinaro’s farewell address can be viewed below.
