Amenia fair connects residents with cost-saving programs

AMENIA — Elected officials, community organizations and business representatives gathered at Amenia Town Hall on Thursday, Sept. 17, for an Affordability Fair highlighting programs and discounts intended to help residents reduce household expenses.

The event was organized by Eric Alexander, D-25, Amenia’s representative in the Dutchess County Legislature. It included representatives from regional organizations and the offices of county, state and federal officials.

Alexander said he organized the fair because Amenia residents appear to use government assistance programs at lower rates than residents of some other Dutchess County communities. On a per-capita basis, he said, Pleasant Valley residents are five times more likely than Amenia residents to request services such as home-delivered meals, case management and health insurance counseling.

“It seems like Amenia does not take advantage of all the available government programs and services the county offers,” Alexander said. “My job as representative is to bring information to my constituents and make it easy for them to access the programs and services.”

Closing that gap has become more urgent as household budgets tighten, Alexander said. He attributed rising prices in part to the conflict in Iran, higher insurance costs and tariffs, adding that wages and Social Security benefits have not kept pace.

The fair offered information about assistance with property taxes and utility bills, as well as senior and veterans’ services, meal delivery, prescription drug savings, veterinary services and grocery discount programs.

Alexander organized the event with state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, Assemblyman Anil Beephan and Dutchess County Legislature Chair Yvette Valdés Smith. Participating organizations and businesses included Freshtown, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs and Hudson Valley Animal Rescue.

Photo by Leila Hawken

Several organizations attended to answer questions about services available to residents. Pictured from left are Dutchess County Legislators Eric Alexander (D-25), and Kris Munn (D-20), assistant majority leader of the County Legislature, and Yvette Valdes-Smith, Chairwoman of the County Legislature.