Lori Jiava Takes Oath of Office in Wappinger

Wappinger Town Supervisor Lori Jiava took her oath of office on Monday, Jan. 2 at Wappinger Town Hall. Jiava, a Republican who was appointed to the position of town supervisor in January of 2016 by the Town Board, ran for an unexpired one-year term in November and won.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd, Jiava was given her oath of office by City of Poughkeepsie Judge Frank Mora. Mora credited Jiava with organizing several vital heroin and opioid educational clinics as well as providing NARCAN training for all that were interested. Mora, who presides over the busiest court in Dutchess County, applauded Jiava on her efforts to curb the opioid problem.

Jiava, a licensed real estate broker and former school board member, cited her 2016 accomplishments as a road map for continued success over the next two years.

The supervisor and her colleagues on the town board helped secure $540,000 in grant money in 2016 for infrastructure repair. The 45-year-old Jiava plans to seek more grant funding in 2017 to help offset the costs associated with repairing the crumbling water and sewer lines throughout the town.

The supervisor touted her working relationship with Village of Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander, a Democrat, as a step in the right direction to improving the quality of life in both the town and village.

Alexander joked with the crowd during his remarks saying that he was sure many people in the room were wondering why a Democrat would speak at a Republican's swearing-in. His answer was simple "water and sewer issues don't discriminate based on party affiliation".