Poughkeepsie Mayor Colette Lafuente discusses city’s progress, at Vassar College, February 4.

City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Colette Lafuente will visit the Vassar College campus, on Tuesday, February 4, at 5:30 p.m., to discuss accomplishments during her tenure and challenges the city still faces. The talk, titled "An Informal Conversation with Colette Lafuente," will be held in the Aula and is open to the public.

Lafuente, who graduated from Vassar in 1963, has been politically active in Poughkeepsie for more than 20 years. She began her political career as president of Poughkeepsie Citizens for Fair Taxes, was elected to the city Common Council in 1976 and later served in the Dutchess County Legislature. Lafuente was elected mayor in 1996 and re-elected in 2000. Term limits prohibit her from seeking re-election in 2004.

In addition to her responsibilities as mayor, Lafuente is a full-time social studies teacher at Arlington High School where she teaches, among other courses, "Participation In Government."

Lafuente was invited to speak at the college by the Poughkeepsie Area Vassar Club. "I think Colette has done a marvelous job as mayor and we would be passing up a great opportunity if we did not ask her to come to Vassar and share her experiences with students and members of the

community," said Julia Dunwell, long-time city activist and also a Vassar grad.

Harvey Flad, professor of geography and city resident, will facilitate the informal conversation.

For more information, call Ron Samuelson at 437-5903, or e-mail at rsamuelson@vassar.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings at (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Tuesday, February 4th, 2003.