Serino To Focus On Quality Of Life Issues: State Of County Address

RED HOOK, NY — In her first State of the County Address, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino affirmed her commitment to ensure that the county government will remain focused on enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Throughout her address Thursday at Red Hook High School’s Performing Arts Center, Serino spoke about a wide range of initiatives and programs that she has already engaged with since taking office in January.

They include:

• Creation of the county’s first Community Engagement Office, which is tasked with listening to residents’ concerns and developing solutions to their issues
• Creation of new opportunities for young people, including pursuing alternative paths to jobs and trades
• Addressing hunger and food insecurity
• Expanding the impact of mental and public health
• Continuing to address homelessness
• Ensuring a sustainable funding stream for the county’s Housing Trust Fund
• Addressing challenges of emergency medical services throughout the county
• Creating a think-accessible public awareness campaign for residents and visitors with physical disabilities

Serinos said that the residents of Dutchess County are fortunate to live and work in a vibrant and thriving community.

“But we must commit ourselves to always striving to do more — to be responsive to each of our young people, families, seniors, veterans and those who are struggling — to listen to their concerns and encourage them to help us decide how we, as a community, tackle difficult challenges,” she said.

“We must, above all, treat each other with respect, kindness and compassion,” Serino said. “These are the principles and goals that guide me each day and will inform the decisions I make on behalf of our taxpayers.”

Text and video of Serino’s address are available on Dutchess County’s website.