Three county execs to discuss collaboration

POUGHKEEPSIE — A panel of three county executives representing the Hudson Valley will discuss issues facing their communities at Pattern for Progress’ annual President’s Day Breakfast on Tuesday, Feb. 21, in Poughkeepsie.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro, Orange County Executive Edward Diana, and Ulster County Executive Michael Hein will participate in the roundtable discussion, which will focus on new opportunities for collaboration between governments. It will also serve as an exchange of ideas to improve the delivery of critical services to residents of the Hudson Valley. Pattern is planning a similar discussion among county executives in the southern part of the region later this year.

Last year’s breakfast panel attracted a capacity crowd of more than 360 business, not-for-profit, academic and government leaders to Poughkeepsie.

“The breakfast has been a dynamic forum for local government leaders to discuss their common goals and shared interests each year,” said Jonathan Drapkin, president and CEO of Pattern. “Given the economic challenges the region is facing, we hope the roundtable also leads to common solutions and a productive exchange of ideas.”

Event sponsors currently include Laborer’s Local 17 LECET, DJ Consulting Services, Inc., Central Hudson, Frontier Communications, IBM, Marshall and Sterling Insurance, Mohonk Preserve, Mount Saint Mary College, Hudson Valley Business Journal, ReCommunity, and the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Pattern for Progress is a not-for-profit policy and planning organization that promotes regional, balanced and sustainable solutions to enhance the growth and vitality of the Hudson Valley. Founded in 1965 by business, academic and civic leaders, and based in Newburgh, Pattern works within the nine-county area that includes Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.