Dear Editor,
Poughkeepsie needs real progress, but that won’t happen while our Common Council and Mayor are fighting with each other. Poughkeepsie deserves better!
We need a Mayor and Council united around a progressive agenda of affordable housing, investing in our young people, and addressing the root causes of crime. Vote for Wesley Lee for Mayor, Vincent Pedi for at-large, Councilmember Debra Long for Ward 1, Councilmember Evan Menist for Ward 2, Jamar Cummings for Ward 5, and Councilmember Megan Deichler for Ward 8 in the Democratic primary.
Wesley got his start in activism in the Civil Rights Movement. Today he teaches history at Dutchess Community College and helps connect young people to jobs through his nonprofit Save At Risk Children for Corporate America. Vincent has served on the City of Poughkeepsie IDA making sure that companies coming to our city didn’t get unfair tax breaks. Debra leads the city’s new Housing Solutions committee. Evan has years of experience in state, county, and city government. He has helped advance city legislation to regulate Airbnbs. Jamar is a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie who has been outspoken against gun violence and disinvestment in the Northside. Megan has been working on repaving roads, replacing lead pipes, and rent-stabilization.
Early voting is happening until June 25. Or you can vote on primary election day June 27 from 6 AM to 9 PM. You can check the Dutchess County Board of Elections website for info on voting locations.
Matthew Carroll
Poughkeepsie
