POUGHKEEPSIE – Twenty-five members of the Dutchess County Legislature took their oath of office on Wednesday night in the legislature chambers in Poughkeepsie. The official oath of office document is required to be signed by elected officials throughout the state before they can commence the duties of the office they hold. The document, pursuant to state law, is then filed with the county clerk’s office.
Wednesday night’s oath was administered by Dutchess County Family Court Judge Tracy MacKenzie. Before administering the oath the judge commended the lawmakers on their efforts to seek an office that has a two-year term.
“For someone like me, who runs every 10 years, I couldn’t imagine running every two years. You all could literally give a class on time management skills – I’d take that class,” the judge told the members who were all elected or re-elected in November 2023. “Many people don’t realize the sacrifices made by running for office,” MacKenzie said. “Your family does, and I do,” she said just moments before swearing the 2024-2025 Dutchess County Legislature into office.
Mid-Hudson News video of the ceremony:
