POUGHKEEPSIE – Democratic City of Poughkeepsie 5th Ward Councilwoman Yvonne Flowers officially launched her campaign to be the next elected mayor of the city. Current Mayor Rob Rolison is leaving office a year early after being elected to the State Senate. City Administrator Marc Nelson, also a registered Democrat, will become the mayor on January 1, 2023, filling Rolison’s unexpired term. Nelson has recently hinted that he will also seek the Democratic nomination to run in 2023, setting the stage for a primary battle. City voters will head to the polls in November 2023 to elect their next mayor.
Ms. Flowers unofficially announced her campaign to Mid-Hudson News in August of 2022. That account can be found here.
Flowers told Mid-Hudson News that, if elected, her top priorities will be addressing the affordable housing crisis, public safety, and waterfront development, the last of which has been stifled by the common council majority over the past few years.
Flowers was born and raised in the city, attended Poughkeepsie schools, graduated from Poughkeepsie High School, and is the daughter of the late community icon, John Flowers. The announcement, made in front of family, friends, and supporters gathered at her father’s favorite restaurant, Milanese on Main Street, Flowers gave a brief background and then laid out her platform of issues she wants to address.
Flowers and her family lived in public housing in Poughkeepsie for 15 years before her parents could afford a home of their own. As an adult, the councilwoman eventually purchased a two-family home, 25 years ago. The purchase made her both a homeowner and a landlord.
“My life experiences have given me a substantial amount of insight into the problems faced by Poughkeepsie residents on a daily basis,” Flowers told a clapping audience. “I am truly invested and love this city and wanted to be part of its growth,” she said, adding “That’s why I decided to run for the city council many years ago.”
Citing her accomplishments as a councilwoman, Flowers noted that she co-chaired the Procedural Justice Committee to create the Police Reform Plan as mandated by former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order 203. The city’s plan received accolades for encouraging police and community relations. The popular councilwoman told attendees that she was a part of the city’s Anti-Blight Task Force to reduce the number of vacant buildings in the city. When formed, there were more than 600 vacant properties. The task force has reduced that to less than 100.
While asking for support, Flowers said, “Many of you know that I have been a strong community advocate and a ‘voice of reason with a collaborative spirit’,” and citing her years of political experience working with people regardless of political affiliation, said, based on her experiences, “My leadership skillset, coupled with my overall vision for the City of Poughkeepsie has made me the most suitable mayoral candidate moving forward.” Recalling a phrase often used by her late father, Flowers also said “Unity and collaboration is the key to our community’s success.”
A portion of Ms. Flowers’ announcement can be viewed here:
