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Martucci takes oath at swearing in ceremony

Matt Shortall - Co-editor
Posted 1/21/21

By matt Shortall

GOSHEN — A reduced group of friends and supporters gathered at the Orange County Emergency Services Center last Saturday for the ceremonial swearing in of State Senator Mike …

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Martucci takes oath at swearing in ceremony

Posted

By matt Shortall

GOSHEN — A reduced group of friends and supporters gathered at the Orange County Emergency Services Center last Saturday for the ceremonial swearing in of State Senator Mike Martucci.

In contrast to when he announced his candidacy in January last year in a warehouse packed with friends, family and supporters, attendance last Saturday was limited due health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The ceremony was live streamed from the Senator's social media platforms.

A Town of Wawayanda resident, Martucci was one of only two candidates to defeat an incumbent in last year's State Senate elections. He succeeds Senator Jen Metzger, who was elected in 2018 but lost reelection by 1,369 votes.

Martucci now represents the 42nd State Senate District, which includes all of Sullivan County as well as parts of Delaware, Orange and Ulster Counties.

Rev. Peter Rustico, Pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Middletown, delivered the invocation and keynote remarks were given by Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus.

Orange County Court Judge Hyun Chin Kim administered the ceremonial oath of office, since Martucci had already taken the official oath on January 6.

Martucci was also joined by Sullivan and Orange County Sheriffs Michael Schiff and Carl E. DuBois, both of whom had endorsed and campaigned for Martucci.

“His sincerity is truly one of a kind — you know that what he says is what he believes,” said Sheriff Schiff. “In addition to regularly speaking with Sullivan County residents, Mike Martucci would always take the time to listen. He wanted to understand the issues facing Sullivan County families and their struggles. That to me is the best measure of any public servant. Senator Martucci and his entire team are true professionals and I look forward to tackling the people's business together moving forward.”

After taking his oath alongside family, Martucci spoke about the divisiveness of politics and the need for public service instead of self service.

“I enter this role with a servant's heart and a deep sense of responsibility. I understand that when you are blessed to be a leader, how important it is to be there to help and support the people who chose you to lead,” he said. “I look forward to bringing my experience to Albany for the betterment of the people who live here, and they can count on me to work with anyone who has true courage and is there to serve.”

In the 2021 legislative session, Martucci will sit as the Ranking Member of the Senate Standing Committees on Developmental Disabilities, Small Business, as well as Commerce and Economic Development. He will also join the Senate Standing Committees on Children & Families; Cities 1; Corporations, Authorities and Commissions; and Housing, Construction and Community Development.

It's unclear if Martucci will keep office hours at the Left Bank Art Gallery in Liberty, which is currently leased by Congressman Antonio Delgado's office.

Representatives for Martucci expressed the importance of a local presence and said they are actively working toward establishing a Sullivan County office and “exploring all options, in spite of great uncertainty in the state's upcoming fiscal year.”

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