Alexandra Matthews Assistant Life Editor

The votes were tallied, ballots counted and new leaders elected across Dutchess County as usual this past November. However, what makes this election particularly extraordinary is that the new District 6 Legislator Angela Flesland is a senior at Marist College.

Flesland has been a Poughkeepsie resident her entire life. Now a 21-year-old political science major with a concentration in public affairs, Flesland looks forward to working with the community that fostered her growth and first interested in politics.

“This is where I grew up. I have generations of family here, and I really want to see the area improve,” said Flesland.

Poughkeepsie, the largest city in Dutchess County, is divided up into several districts. District 6 includes Vassar, but not Marist.

Although the Democrats took back the majority in Dutchess County for the first time in 30 years with a 13-12 majority, Flesland was elected as a Republican after running on the Republican, Independence and Conservative Ballot Lines.

Flesland has been involved in various community organizations and worked for the New York State Assembly, which she believes has had a great impact on her experience.

“I think it’s certainly increased my knowledge of government and the way that it works,” said Flesland.

Once sworn in, Flesland will be responsible for overseeing all county programs, including the Youth Bureau, Office of Aging, Dutchess County Community College and the Loop Bus. The entire legislature holds monthly meetings, in addition to separate meetingss held monthly for individual county committees. Flesland will also review and approve the Dutchess County budget for the year.

Flesland plans to use her time in office to focus on bread and butter issues in the Poughkeepsie area, starting with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) control.

“One of my cousins was almost killed by a drunk driver while on duty as a police officer. I would like to increase DUI control and budget spending [toward enforcement].”

Flesland also believes the lack of affordable housing is plaguing residents of all ages, and wants to promote what she calls “smart spending.”

“Young people can’t afford housing in this area. It’s [sad] that people who grew up here can’t stay here, as well as the elderly. We have to change that. The county’s portion of taxes isn’t that much—only 14 percent. We have to make sure every single cent is spent wisely,” she said.

Flesland would also like to minimize the gap between Vassar students and the surrounding community.

“What I’d like to do is find some way to bring the entire Vassar community into more community service projects. [But] more than anything I want to maintain an open dialogue with Vassar,” said Flesland.

Still, some Vassar students have mixed feelings about Flesland, especially because of her age.

“I’m a political science major and I don’t feel I’d be qualified to be elected
as an official. You don’t [go] to college to learn how to govern,” said Lionel Dripps ’08, Vassar College Democrats’ Director of Community and Voter Outreach.

Despite her Republican win, the Vassar Democrats aren’t worried and rejoice in their regained Democrat majority. “I don’t think her place on county legislature will end up being very significant. [There will be] a steep learning curve for her. Hopefully by the next election she’ll be experienced enough to be an effective legislator,” said Dripps.

Vassar Democrats President Alex Sheff ’08 expressed similar concerns.

“I think while it’s great for new energy and idealism, you have someone who hasn’t really had much experience outside academia,” said Sheff.

But Flesland believes this “new energy” is exactly what Poughkeepsie’s needs.

“I think it’s great to bring new energy….I think being young and having new energy is the ultimate [way to] use youth as a way to help more people,” said Flesland.

Did her youth play a role in her election? Flesland believes it may have.

“I think it was positive and negative. I think there were some people who felt I was too young. I may be young, but I can do this. I think if your heart is in the right place and if you work hard, you can accomplish anything,” she said.

Although currently a full-time student, Flesland believes her lighter course-load next semester will facilitate a smooth transition from student life to that of a full-time legislator, and she will be sworn in on Jan. 2, 2008. “I worked really hard my first two years in school. I would take 21 credits a semester as well as at least one class over the summer, so I only have to take two classes in the spring semester [and] will not be a full-time student…I think it would be extremely difficult to be a full time student as well as a legislator,” said Flesland.

Whether you’re skeptical or just plain curious, you can keep up with Flesland’s work at the monthly town meetings she hopes to hold in the near future. Then you can decide for yourself how effective college students can be in politics.