Barrett, Ryan and Molinaro Sworn In

Assemblymember Didi Barrett chose The Stissing Center in Pine Plains for her ceremonial swearing in to serve her sixth full term representing the 106th Assembly District. She was sworn in by Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado, who praised Barrett as a hard-working, respected and well-liked public servant.  

In her remarks, Barrett reflected on John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy whose lives inspired her when she was young. She said she was uncomfortable when she is treated like a politician and that she would much rather just work on things to help people. 

She quoted from the song Long Time Gone written by the recently deceased David Crosby to express her feelings about where our society stands at this moment: 

“Speak out, you got to speak out against the madness 

You got to speak your mind if you dare 

But don’t, no don’t, no, try to get yourself elected 

If you do, you had better cut your hair 

And it appears to be a long (Yes, it does) 

Appears to be a long  

Time, such a long, long, long, long time 

Before the dawn” 

After reading the verse, Barrett said, “Let’s all be the dawn.” 

Attending the event was new Congressman Marcus Molinaro who had been sworn in by former Congressman Chris Gibson in Saugerties on the previous day. Molinaro will represent New York’s 19th Congressional District. Barrett succeeded Molinaro in the Assembly when she won a special election in 2012 after he was elected County Executive of Dutchess County. Molinaro was seated next to State Senator Michelle Hinchey and Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois at The Stissing Center. 

The trio had been at Eisenhower Hall at the United States Military Academy at West Point earlier in the day for the ceremonial swearing in of Congressman Pat Ryan. Ryan will represent the 18th New York Congressional District which, as of January 1, includes the Town of Pine Plains. Ryan was sworn in by Senator Chuck Schumer.