Kelsey makes first official appearance

Poughkeepsie — On Thursday, Jan. 22, Dutchess County Legislator Michael Kelsey (R-25) attended his first legislative meeting since being charged with sexually abusing two 15-year-old Boy Scouts on Dec. 16, 2014. The 36-year-old Salt Point resident represents the towns of Washington and Amenia and parts of Pleasant Valley.Kelsey, who had not appeared to perform his duties until last week, is facing felony first-degree sexual abuse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly “inappropriately touching two 15-year-old males during a Boy Scot trip in Cranberry Lake in August 2014,” according to the New York State Police. The Legislature began its sessions for 2015 on Jan. 6; at that point its members “had not had any contact” from Kelsey, according to Republican Majority Leader Angela Flesland (R-6).Flesland, Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and Legislature Chairman Rob Rolison have all called for Kelsey to step down from his role in county government. He is not compelled to do so, however, and cannot be removed from office unless “the case [resolves] itself with felony charges,” according to Flesland.Last Thursday Kelsey reportedly attended both a brief meeting of the Legislative Environmental Committee on which he sits as well as the regular Legislative board meeting. He had been removed from the Family and Human Services Committee after his arrest was made public.He is due to return to the Town of Pierrepont Court in St. Lawrence County on Monday, Feb. 9.Calls to Kelsey for comment went unanswered.