Our guest speaker this week, Marc Molinaro, was introduced as “soccer coach”, youngest mayor in America, gubernatorial candidate, assemblyman and now Dutchess County Executive. Marc reviewed his seven years in office, noting some of his proudest achievements. He noted that the county’s fiscal position is much improved its bond rating is the highest in the state, The county’s improved economic status has been led by strong growth in tourism. The county has undertaken new initiatives in natural resource protection, protecting over 3000 acres of farmland. Bridges are being refurbished through.out the county, and mental health services have been substantially increased and improved.
Following his comments, the County Executive took questions, covering such topics as changes in the cash bail system and the need for bipartisan cooperation in local government. Commenting on his experience in running for governor he noted that the biggest difference between issues down-state and up-state is that downstaters were preoccupied with transit systems and corruption, while upstaters were focused on property taxes and corruption.