POUGHKEEPSIE – Prior to addressing the most pressing issue so far in 2026, the homeless shelter on Oakley Street in Poughkeepsie, a member of the Democratic majority of the county legislature sought to abruptly replace the Clerk of the Legislature. After Democrats took the majority in the last election, they made several personnel changes. In January, they appointed longtime public servant Julie Shiroishi as Clerk of the Legislature.
Sources have told Mid-Hudson News that Assistant Minority Leader Kristofer Munn, a Democrat from Red Hook, attempted to replace Shiroishi with former Red Hook Board Member Christine Kane, who was at the legislature on Thursday. During the Democratic caucus, Munn allegedly sought support from most Democrats to vote for the change but failed. At least two Democrats, Chairwoman Yvette Valdés Smith and Legislator Randy Johnson, were absent. Munn’s plan failed to garner enough votes.
The Republicans, who represent 10 of the 25 lawmakers, were told about the plan Thursday and opposed the change.
Minority Leader Michael Polasek expressed his disbelief in the timing of the measure, telling Mid-Hudson News, “With so many pressing issues facing Dutchess County right now, residents deserve to know why replacing the Clerk of the Legislature has suddenly become a priority for members of the Democratic majority. We have to ask: Why now? The public deserves transparency about what is driving this effort and why the majority believes it warrants the Legislature’s attention.”
Chairwoman Valdés Smith denied any knowledge of the attempted switch in her caucus on Monday evening, and Shiroishi declined to comment, saying she was focusing on the work that needed to be addressed.
Munn did not respond to a request for comment.
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