A former county executive in the Hudson Valley has died.
In November of 1978, Lucille Pattison was elected the first Democratic county executive in Dutchess County, the first woman Democratic county executive in the United States, and the first Democrat elected to any county-wide office in Dutchess County. Plus, says Elisa Sumner, chairwoman of the Dutchess County Democratic Party, Pattison was a role model for many Dutchess County women, and was active in the League of Women Voters and the Dutchess Democratic Women's Caucus. Current Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, a Republican, says Pattison was a trailblazer in the community. He adds that she restored decency to the Dutchess County Executive’s office and led the county during a difficult period. Pattison was 77.
