Poughkeepsie, NY – On February 8, the Dutchess County Legislature participated in Dutchess County’s Commission on Human Rights 100 Cups of Coffee Transformative Dialogue event. It brought together legislators to share their personal experiences, successes, and failures with their colleagues. Chairman Gregg Pulver chose to host this event in the Legislative Chambers where legislators most often work together. Further, he thanked County EEO Officer Jody Miller for her work in the community and putting this event together.
Legislator Ken Roman shared the beneficial aspects of people coming together, saying, “having attended this event in a community format, it really showed me what a difference talking can make. I encourage everyone to attend one of these events and learn something about a neighbor that you’ve never met before.” Roman continued, “in an era where hostility and partisanship seem to be the only thing in the public view, people assume that is how every legislative body operates. We need to show them that Dutchess County Government isn’t broken.”
Expanding on his colleague’s comments, Chairman Gregg Pulver said “it is important that the public sees us joining together and learning each other’s backgrounds. Seeing each of our colleagues as merely a member of our party or the opposite party doesn’t cut it. We need to view our colleagues as people too and that will make us a more successful legislative body.”
The Dutchess County Legislature has seven new members this year and this served as an important time that all legislators, new and old, could develop or further a relationship. Many members stayed after the event ended to continue to talk with one and another.
The next 100 Cups of Coffee will take place on March 13, from 6:00-7:30pm, at the Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie
