Teacher,
Parent,
Neighbor,
Advocate.
As an educator, I am uniquely situated to problem solve with empathy. Educators are problem solvers and make hundreds of decisions in the moment every day. We want our children to thrive here in the Hudson Valley so we need to make decisions and craft legislation that is meaningful for their future.
About Kathleen
Kathleen Dailey and her family have been residents of Wappingers Falls for over 20 years.
Kathleen has been dedicated to diversity and young people her entire career. Before getting a Master’s Degree in teaching at SUNY New Paltz, she worked at a non-profit organization, AFS Intercultural Programs, which organizes exchange students. Since then, she has been teaching Secondary Social Studies for 27 years in the Hudson Valley. She teaches Global Studies 10, Senior Law and AP Government and Politics at John Jay in Cross River.
Over the years, she has been an advocate for diversity and has been involved in different leadership roles.
She is a member of NYSUT and the Chair of the KLDTA Benefits Trust which manages vision and dental benefits for the membership and ensures that the Trust continues to be healthy and that members have adequate coverage.
Previously, she was a building rep for the Association and represented members’ interest and advocated on their behalf.
Life for young people has changed dramatically since the pandemic. This demographic needs our help as many people have a negative or hopeless view of the future. Kathleen wants our children to thrive here in the Hudson Valley and will help craft legislation that is meaningful for the future.
Kathleen's advocacy continued when her daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. She had to become very active on her daughter’s behalf not only at the local level with the school, but at the state level with a grassroots group called Decoding Dyslexia.
Through lobbying our state legislators, legislation has begun to be passed to not only recognize dyslexia on the IEP, but also to make sure that all teachers are trained to recognize dyslexia and provide the necessary interventions.
Kathleen is running for her students and the next generation
Dutchess County is located in a perfect area close but not too close to NYC. We have a beautiful mix of urban and rural here. We want to make sure that development is sustainable. That not only means to be environmentally friendly, but sustainability is also about the community and family.
I am concerned with some of the decisions that the county has made in the past few years. For example, the Republican Caucus voted recently to give $25 million to renovate Heritage Stadium – a private enterprise! Where could that money have been reallocated to help our community?
ISSUE
Mental Health
Our children are suffering since the pandemic. As a classroom teacher, I have seen the effects of the pandemic. Students have a hard time creating connections in the classroom and the level of anxiety and fear from interacting with peers and teachers has risen to a crisis level. This is only exacerbated by the persistent use of cellphones by our children.
The good news is that students are now becoming aware of their own mental health and can use words and find ways to articulate their mental health and to identify their triggers. That means, however, that there must be staff available in the schools and the community to meet these needs. According to the Mental Hygiene Board, 5 residential facilities have been closed in the Hudson Valley due to a lack of staffing.
We need to meet the moment and recognize that our young people need access to beds and mental health providers. We need to find ways to train more mental health providers and provide living wages in an affordable community so that we have a healthy county! Mental healthcare is healthcare.
ISSUE
Transparency
in spending
Think about this... There was approximately $4 million dollars wasted on a failed plan to create a homeless shelter in downtown Poughkeepsie. The Democratic Caucus urged the created of a task force to examine the placement of homeless shelter but was ignored in the legislature which led to this wasteful spending. Where could that money have been reallocated to help our community?
The county has pledged $25 million to the building of the YOU, an amazing youth center that should be completed by the end of 2024. “The YOU will be a multi-use facility that focuses on recreational, educational and healthy opportunities, both physical and mental, for young people.” (dutchessny.gov) The cost of the YOU center is approximately $70 million. That means that the committee has to go out and raise the balance.
“In April, the County received formal support from Rep. Pat Ryan, who is recommending $3 million in federal funds for this critical project through the Congressionally Directed Spending program for FY 2024. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer demonstrated similar support for the project, including $10 million for the YOU amongst his requests to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.” (pathtopromise.net)
Imagine if the $25 million that went toward the Heritage Stadium and the $4 million that was wasted in the homeless shelter had gone to the YOU which benefits our entire community, children and families across Dutchess County.
One of the biggest concerns that our neighbors talk about at the County meetings is transparency in spending and accountability.
Residents are concerned with a lack of planning and foresight. They feel that their input is ignored or just not sought out at all.
ISSUE
Environmental Sustainability
In the town of Hughsonville, Gasland has begun construction on a gas station against the wishes of the people who live in that hamlet. A GAS station. Again, are we meeting the moment or giving in to corporations? New York State has a goal to reduce greenhouse emissions by 40 percent by 2030. Why are planning boards allowing the construction of gas stations?
Planning boards are appointed by the people you elect at the town and county level. You need to elect officials who will appoint people to make responsible decisions for our future and the next generation – not to make decisions for major political donors.
ISSUE
Immigration
Recently, I came across some family history that we had recorded years ago from my grandmother. Her parents had an arranged marriage in Eastern Europe and came to the United States to escape the oppression from living under the Russians. They came through Ellis Island and ended up in Endicott, NY, and worked for EJ Shoes. They were not turned away or stigmatized – they were welcomed and employed and they put down roots for generations to come in New York State.
In the past few months, asylum seekers were bussed up to Poughkeepsie from New York City. Instead of welcoming them, however, the County Executive issued a “State of Emergency”. Fortunately, the community got involved and we have gone out of our way to help with getting them settled. Imagine coming here with nothing. Volunteers have purchased clothes, provided transportation to English classes, helped get them employment, etc. That is the Dutchess County that I want to be a part of!
Tip O’Neil says
“All politics is LOCAL.”
I often have my students examine this statement. After looking at board meetings and exploring local governments, they are overwhelmingly amazed at how important our local decisions are.
Sure, the federal government makes legislation, but what happens at the local level affects where you live.
EXAMPLES
Good governance starts at the local level...
In April, the County received formal support from Rep. Pat Ryan, who is recommending $3 million in federal funds for this critical project through the Congressionally Directed Spending program for FY 2024. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer demonstrated similar support for the project, including $10 million for the YOU amongst his requests to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.” (pathtopromise.net)
When the state allocates money in the budget, it is up to the local governments to spend that money accordingly. So, if the state puts money aside for childcare, it is up to the local governments to allocate that money.
Dutchess County was given $57 million from the American Rescue Plan. So far, the county has spent almost $20 million on community investments such as the youth, county parks, infrastructure/jobs, community partnerships and rebuilding count government. (dutchessny.gov) $3.1 million from that money was allocated to the failed homeless shelter project.
We cannot have a local government that wastes these precious resources!
LOCAL & STATE
ENDORSEMENTS
NY CONGRESSMAN,
PAT RYAN, SAYS...
“ Kathleen Dailey is the right candidate for Dutchess County Legislature. As an educator, Kathleen's entire life has been dedicated to children in our community. She knows firsthand the struggles young people face and will bring solutions to the table to solve them. I look forward to working with Kathleen to support mental health care. ”
October 2023
