Dutchess County is in reliable and trustworthy hands under the solid leadership of County Executive Bill Steinhaus. Voters should keep it that way
Dutchess County is known statewide as a leader in economic development, creating quality new jobs and wage growth, as well as quality-of-life amenities initiated and championed during County Executive Bill Steinhaus’ tenure. Steinhaus launched a historic open-space preservation program to fight overdevelopment, helping expand forever preserved lands of the Locust Grove site on Route 9, provided start-up funding to create the new Peach Hill Park, spearheaded the building of miles of new rail trail, like his pet project, the very-soon-to-be-built Dutchess rail trails, plus park improvements like the new bandshell at Bowdon Park and the county’s new riverfront park under development, Quiet Cove.
Steinhaus has been passionate about improving children’s health, with his considerable focus on children’s obesity and tobacco use prevention. He has been a fierce supporter of helping Dutchess Community College keep tuition the lowest of any college in the state, benefiting transitional age student and adults seeking better career opportunities
Steinhaus has proved he is also a strong manager of county services, like the 911 Center. As steward of county finances, he has kept spending under control and property taxes for county government in check despite the increase. His refusal to give in to state bureaucrats demanding an oversized jail expansion has saved county taxpayers many millions of dollars. Having achieved one of the lowest county government tax rates in the state only comes from determination and skill.
Steinhaus’ challenger in the race is Joseph Ruggiero, town supervisor of Wappinger and chairman of the Dutchess County Democrat Party. Though Ruggiero is running under the catchphrase, “It is time for a change,” he has offered little if anything to convince us of what he would change for the better. He has talked about the need for affordable housing, but has not been successful in providing affordable housing in his own community during his six years as supervisor and eight years as a town councilman. He has talked about cutting government spending, but he has offered few if any examples of what services county residents received that he would eliminate.
I believe that to be revealing. Rhetoric and criticism don’t make change happen, actions and ideas do. Ruggiero should be commended for his public service. Since he is young and appears committed to a future in public services, I suggest he rethink his campaign strategy before his next attempt at gaining voter support. His highly negative campaign offering little vision for a better future has been a serious disappointment, and has become the talk around town.
All in all, Bill Steinhaus deserves to be re-elected as Dutchess County executive. He has an experienced leadership style that has created public and private partnerships and community collaborations to build a better future for Dutchess County. This is no time to change successful, effective leadership.
Austin “Brud” Hodgkins is the managing partner for The Hodgkins Agency in Poughkeepsie.