ENDORSEMENT LETTER:

As the former Dutchess County Executive, I'd like to describe the duties of the position and seek your support for a fine candidate.

The County Executive is the CEO of our county. He is responsible for preparing and managing multimillion dollar annual budgets. The executive appoints all departments heads including Finance, Personnel, Public Works, Social Services, Mental Hygiene, County Attorney and emergency services. He makes policy recommendations to the County Legislature and must seek their advice and consent on all initiatives. He is chief spokesperson for the county and must always make himself available the media. On key issues he must work with the County Comptroller, Sheriff, and every level of government from village hall to the White House.

These are awesome responsibilities and the County Executive can not do the job alone: essential qualities are respect, cordiality, cooperation, integrity, candor and a sense of humor. People respect a leader who has the self confidence to say "you, us, our" rather than "I, me, mine." There is no room for vindictiveness, pettiness, evasion of tough decision, or passing the buck.

The Democratic candidate for County Executive this fall has these positive qualities. He is Joe Ruggiero, current supervisor of Wappinger, one of our largest municipalities. Joe is a leader with vision, energy, and intelligence. He is personable and can laugh at himself. He has 14 years of executive and legislative experience, including budgeting and management. He knows personally all our elected officials and works well with them.

Joe Ruggiero cares about all our populations and their concerns and he's a good listener. He has been a leader in open space preservation, water quality, and historic preservation. He is unafraid to tackle difficult issues and bring them to closure.

Watch Joe Ruggiero as the campaign for County Executive unfolds this summer and fall. I believe that you will like him and appreciate the contrast with his opponent.

Lucille P. Pattison

Copyright 2007 Joe Ruggiero for Dutchess County Executive

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