Sue Serino

Sue Serino Dutchess County Executive

06/02/2026

I was appalled to see the video circulating from the Fishkill Block Party of an individual making a disgusting and anti-Semitic gesture. These actions do not reflect our shared values as a community and I am proud to see so many members of our community speaking out against this hateful act. It is a shame that an event that brings people together was overshadowed by the actions of this person. I roundly condemn this conduct and it has no place in Dutchess County.

Wonderful to be at Vassar College yesterday morning for the "Childcare as Economic Infrastructure" panel discussion, hos...
06/02/2026

Wonderful to be at Vassar College yesterday morning for the "Childcare as Economic Infrastructure" panel discussion, hosted by the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley and the HVEDC.

As a former in-home childcare provider, I know firsthand that quality care is vital for workforce participation and our regional economy. Yesterday's dialogue brought business leaders and educators together to tackle the real-world obstacles our providers face.

We had an incredible panel, including our own Dutchess County DCFS Commissioner, Sabrina Jaar Marzouka, alongside Madeline Henriquez (DAY ONE Early Learning Community) and Chris White (SUNY).

Thank you to the Community Foundations, HVEDC, and advocates like Gerry Laybourne for organizing this essential event. It was amazing to see guests travel from all across the Hudson Valley—proving just how unique and valued these regional forums are.

Dutchess County is proud to lead the way. Thanks to a generous grant from Governor Kathy Hochul, our local pilot plan is officially underway and acting as a true catalyst for change in the system.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and like previous years, I’ve waited until the very last day of the month to share...
05/31/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and like previous years, I’ve waited until the very last day of the month to share this post. Today, May 31st, would have been my brother Don’s 63rd birthday.

It has been almost 16 years since we lost him to su***de, a devastating loss that my family and I still grapple with every single day. When I look at old photos like this one, it brings a wave of sadness to think about everything he has missed out on. He didn't get the chance to watch his daughters blossom into the incredible women they are today, and he never got to meet his beautiful grandchildren.

Milestone days like today are hard, but I always vowed to speak openly about this loss in hopes of helping others. It is so incredibly important for folks to know that if you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. There are so many resources out there, and there is absolutely no shame in reaching out for support.

We also have to look out for one another. If you see someone struggling, check in on them. A single conversation can change, or even save, a life.

Please know that help is always available, 24/7:
Call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
Dutchess County HELPLINE: Call or text 845-485-9700 to speak with someone right here in our local community.

Happy heavenly birthday, Don. We love you, we miss you, and we will never stop sharing your story to help bring others out of the darkness.

Good morning, Dutchess County! Happy Sunday! If you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to lace up your sneakers and ...
05/31/2026

Good morning, Dutchess County! Happy Sunday!

If you’ve been looking for the perfect excuse to lace up your sneakers and soak in some sunshine, today is absolutely the day. We are so incredibly lucky to have world-class trails right in our backyard—including the stunning Walkway Over the Hudson.

If you head out to the Walkway today, make sure to trek over to the Highland Welcome Center side for a truly unique local treat. Lemon Love is serving up their famous Pickle Lemonade!

Hear me out—it is the ultimate sweet, tart, and crisp combination that is surprisingly refreshing after a nice walk. It’s got that classic, ice-cold lemonade sweetness with a fun, tangy pickle kick that completely works.
What do you think, neighbors? Are you adventurous enough to give it a sip today, or are you sticking to the classics? Let me know if you’ve tried it (or if you’re planning to today)in the comments below.

What a spectacular evening at the annual gala for The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse (CPCA) this week. The roo...
05/30/2026

What a spectacular evening at the annual gala for The Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse (CPCA) this week. The room was absolutely beautiful, filled with so much warmth, energy, and community spirit. It was also fantastic to honor our Champions Against Child Abuse awardees for their significant contributions to this cause.

But as wonderful as it was to celebrate together, the true beauty of the CPCA is the quiet, life-changing work they do every single day.

While we were dressed up for one evening, the dedicated team at the CPCA works 24/7, 365 days a year to protect our most vulnerable children right here in Dutchess County. From their incredible Personal Safety Programs in our local schools to the vital crisis intervention, parenting support, and healing resources provided through the Child Advocacy Center, their mission is simple yet profound: to end the cycle of child abuse and give every child a safe, nurturing environment to grow up in.
The CPCA is an absolutely vital pillar of our Dutchess County community.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this critical cause, and a huge thank you to the staff and volunteers at the CPCA for your unwavering dedication. Let's keep working together to keep our children safe!

Our hearts are heavy in Dutchess County as we mourn the passing of Pastor Michael Hargraves. Yesterday evening, alongsid...
05/28/2026

Our hearts are heavy in Dutchess County as we mourn the passing of Pastor Michael Hargraves. Yesterday evening, alongside thousands of community members who knew and loved him, I attended his calling hours and memorial service to honor a truly extraordinary man who left an indelible mark on our region.

To know Pastor Mike was to know a man of deep, unwavering faith. Christ was the absolute center of his life, and that devotion shined through in his beautiful legacy of love and service at Calvary Chapel of the Hudson Valley.
For so many who stepped through the church doors, Pastor Mike was a comforting, constant presence. He was the "great protector," always standing guard over Sunday morning services from his familiar spot against the entryway wall, watching carefully over the congregation with a warm, kind smile that instantly made people feel safe and welcome.

To his beautiful family, please know that the entire Dutchess County community surrounds you with love, prayers, and support during this incredibly painful time. We are deeply stunned by this sudden loss, but we take comfort in knowing he has gone home to be with the Lord he served so faithfully.

Rest in peace, Pastor Mike. Your legacy of faith, protection, and love will live on in the community you served so well.

The County Executive’s office has some extra energy lately, and it’s all thanks to Harrison, our incredible new intern.H...
05/27/2026

The County Executive’s office has some extra energy lately, and it’s all thanks to Harrison, our incredible new intern.

Harrison is a proud Dutchess County resident who came to us through the Arc Mid-Hudson Supported Employment Program, which connects talented individuals with unique abilities to great workplace opportunities. To say he hit the ground running is an understatement. Harrison actually completed his intake training faster than any intern we’ve ever had!

In just a few short weeks, he has already become a deeply valued member of our team and has made fast friends with everyone in the office. He is a true people person with an infectious positive smile.

We’ve loved getting to know him, and we wanted to share a few fun facts about our newest colleague. Harrison is the ultimate Dunkin' fan, and his absolute favorite beverage is a Dunkin' Hot Chocolate—which he drinks even in this hot weather. When he is not rocking it at the county office building, he stays busy serving as a Walkway Over the Hudson Ambassador and helping to run his family’s business. He is also an avid world traveler and has even visited Thailand.

We are so incredibly blessed to have Harrison on board, and we can’t wait to see all the wonderful skills and bright ideas he continues to bring to our office. Welcome to the team, Harrison!

Attention Local Businesses-
Want to bring incredible talent, dedication, and joy into your own workplace? We highly suggest you partner with the Arc Mid-Hudson Supported Employment Program. To learn more about how your business can get involved, visit: www.arcmh.org.

🇺🇸 HONORING OUR HEROES ACROSS DUTCHESS COUNTY 🇺🇸Today, from Beacon to Red Hook, to Stanfordville, and every single city,...
05/25/2026

🇺🇸 HONORING OUR HEROES ACROSS DUTCHESS COUNTY 🇺🇸

Today, from Beacon to Red Hook, to Stanfordville, and every single city, town, and village in between, Dutchess County came together to remember.

It didn’t matter if the gathering was a large-scale parade stretching down Main Street, a quiet wreath-laying ceremony at a local monument, or a small neighborhood assembly. What truly mattered was our shared intent: to pause, reflect, and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

This photo montage captures a glimpse of the incredible spirit displayed across our county today. Each community celebrated in its own special way, but we all spoke the same language of deep gratitude and respect.

Among all the moving moments captured today, there is one photo in this collection that truly sums up the heart of Dutchess County. Look closely at the image from the Rhinebeck parade—a 90-year-old war veteran, retired NYPD Detective First Grade Alex Sabo, carrying a rifle, standing proud, tall, and resolute as he marched. His unwavering strength is a powerful reminder of why we observe this day.

To all our fallen heroes, you are not forgotten. To our veterans and their families, Dutchess County stands with you today and every day.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to honor the true meaning of Memorial Day.

It is easy to call this weekend the "unofficial start of summer," but today we pause because we know its real sacred mea...
05/25/2026

It is easy to call this weekend the "unofficial start of summer," but today we pause because we know its real sacred meaning. Memorial Day is not a celebration. It is a somber day of remembrance uniquely reserved for the heroes who went to war and never came home.

While our streets across Dutchess County are lined with parades and community gatherings, we must remember that these are not festivities. They are in memoriam. Every marching step, every beat of the drum, and every note of "Taps" echoing through our towns is a collective promise that their names will never be forgotten.

To the Gold Star families who live with the quiet empty chair at the table: we see you, we honor you, and we thank you. Your burden is heavy, and our county and our country owes you a debt of gratitude we can never truly repay.

Today, as we join together at our local war memorials, let us keep our hearts focused on the true meaning of liberty and the heavy price paid for it.

May God bless our fallen heroes, and may we always remain worthy of their sacrifice.

It was a truly deeply moving morning last week at the Law Enforcement Center in Poughkeepsie for the annual Dutchess Cou...
05/24/2026

It was a truly deeply moving morning last week at the Law Enforcement Center in Poughkeepsie for the annual Dutchess County Sheriff's Office Memorial Ceremony.

Standing alongside Sheriff Kirk Imperati and our incredible law enforcement community, I was reminded once again of the profound weight carried by the men and women who wear the badge. We gathered not just to remember, but to deeply honor those brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Dutchess County, as well as the cherished former members we lost over this past year.

To the families who have lost a loved one: our community holds you close, and we will never forget their legacy or your sacrifice.

To the brave men and women who put on the uniform every single day to keep our neighborhoods safe: thank you. We see you, we appreciate you, and we stand firmly behind you.

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1500 NY-9D
Wappingers Falls, NY
12590

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