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The City of Poughkeepsie is set to host a town hall meeting on Thursday (May 22) to discuss a proposed 120-bed homeless shelter in the 5th Ward. The meeting, which will take place at Warring Elementary from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., invites residents to express their concerns and hear from local leaders and business owners.
The plan, announced by Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino, aims to address homelessness by providing shelter and keeping people off the streets. However, the proposal has sparked controversy among city officials and residents. Mayor Yvonne Flowers has openly criticized the plan, and the city is considering legal action to halt the project. The city council recently entered a closed executive session to discuss potential legal measures, including filing for an injunction.
Mayor Flowers, who is currently on a short leave for surgery, has stated that the county's unwillingness to compromise on the shelter plan has left the city with little choice but to explore legal options. In her absence, City Administrator Joseph Donat is serving as acting mayor.
Common Council Chair Da'Ron Wilson emphasized the city's openness to negotiation, stating, "The City of Poughkeepsie and particularly the 5th Ward in the city’s North Side has borne more than its fair share of burdensome county facilities, such as the Dutchess County Jail, which tend to stunt growth and economic development." Wilson added that the city had engaged in meaningful negotiations with the county to mitigate the impact of the facility.
The proposed shelter has also drawn criticism from Dutchess County Democrats, who have joined the city in opposing the plan. As the town hall approaches, the community remains divided on the best course of action.