Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Legislator Kathy Stegenga was recently honored by the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) for graduating from the NYSAC County Government Institute.
The County Government Institute educational program is a collaboration between NYSAC and Cornell University to provide training to county leaders. The curriculum includes required courses on building consensus, financial management, ethics, management, and the foundations of county government.
“As an elected County Legislator, my primary responsibility is to represent my constituents and the needs of my community,” said Stegenga. “This program provides important information about government and the issues our residents face every day. It also provides knowledge, tools and support to all participants, so that we, as elected officials, can stay well informed, educated and qualified to represent our communities"
Stegenga is a life-long resident of Orange County, who lives in Blooming Grove. Throughout her childhood and into adulthood, she always felt a calling to “give back” to her community. As the daughter of former NY State Assemblywoman, Nancy Calhoun, Stegenga was raised with the belief that heartfelt involvement in the community is the key to creating a place that people are proud to live, work and play in.
Before she was an Orange County Legislator and the owner of Woodcock Home Improvement, Stegenga was a mom of two girls with a demanding career in law enforcement that contributed to her community as often as she could. Through her involvement in a variety of organizations and activities such as coaching the CYO and Washingtonville Soccer League, and serving as an active member of numerous groups such as the Lions Club, Rotary, and the Chamber of Commerce, Stegenga has demonstrated that representing and supporting local residents is a priority.
To date, she has successfully done so in her previous role as Blooming Grove Councilwoman and currently as an Orange County Legislator and member of the NYSAC Public Safety and Agricultural & Economic Development steering committees. Most recently she was appointed as the Chair of the Orange County Green Committee and to the NACo Federal Transportation steering committee. Stegenga also remains an avid supporter of the Washingtonville Fire Department and Ambulance Corps.
In January of this year, she was elected as President of the Blooming Grove/Washingtonville Chamber of Commerce. In this role, Stegenga has implemented several initiatives with the intent to revitalize the business community Blooming Grove.
When she is not busy running her small business, helping to shape our local laws, or innovating new ways the Chamber can engage business owners to help them grow their businesses, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband, John, her children and grandchildren.
Empowering county leaders to engage in civil and constructive dialogue on the challenges they face, the County Government Institute serves as a platform throughout the State to meet and discuss the unique issues of county government.
“County leaders graduate from the Institute’s vigorous curriculum equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the increasing demands of local government leadership - now and in the future,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
Chuck Nesbitt, NYSAC President and Orleans County Administrator, encourages the county to participate in the Institute coursework about working collaboratively to learn and develop solutions and strategies facing local government officials.
“Graduating from the County Government Institute demonstrates a commitment to public service at the local level,” said Nesbitt.
CGI courses are offered at NYSAC’s upcoming Fall Seminar in addition to an annual Legislative Conference in January, and Finance School in May.
Elected and appointed county officials can register for the Institute and actively participate in its programs, policy forums, and informational sessions. For more information about the County Government Institute, visit www.nysac.org/cgi
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