AMENIA — Over a decade since she first joined the New York State Association of Magistrates Court Clerks (NYSAMCC), Dawn Marie Klingner’s time, leadership and commitment toward her duties with the association were recognized as she was designated as its president earlier this fall.
For Klingner, this honor has been a long sought-after accomplishment that she’s been working on for the last few years. She was elected to serve as a director on the Board of the New York State Association of Magistrates Court Clerks in 2010. Along with serving on a number of committees, Klingner served as the board’s secretary for four years.
Though Klingner, also Amenia’s town clerk for many years as well as one of its justice clerks, said she found her niche through the time she spent as the group’s secretary, her colleagues had other ideas. One of the board’s former presidents encouraged her to lead the NYSAMCC.
“It was kind of a joke why I stayed as secretary instead of making the jump,” Klingner said, adding she never forgot that day.
She later took the plunge, joining the Executive Board and serving in various capacities: as third vice president from 2016 to 2017, then as second vice president from 2018 to 2019. She currently serves as the executive board’s first vice president.
All the while Klingner has been Amenia town clerk since 2013. She was recently re-elected to her fifth two-year term during the Nov. 2 election.
In between her official duties, Klingner volunteers with the Amenia Fire Company as an EMT and serves as 1st Lieutenant for the Rescue Squad and as a Fire Prevention Officer. In 2018, she earned her designation as a Registered Municipal Clerk, followed by her designation as a Certified Town Official in 2020.
On Tuesday, Sept. 14, Klingner was sworn in as president of the New York State Association of Magistrates Court Clerks during the annual conference and banquet dinner held at The Desmond in Albany. Though away in Albany for the event, Klingner said she felt she was at home surrounded by her loved ones.
“Just to have those friends and family there with me, I didn’t worry,” she said. “I had my support with me.”
NYSAMCC President Jonah Triebwasser swore Klingner into her new position, and as a special touch to the evening, Klinger said she “was able to do something for the first time in 41 years in creating a hometown color guard.”
Klingner’s color guard was comprised of Sgt. Joseph Perusse from the New York State Police; Deputy John O’Brien from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office; Amenia Fire Company Chief Aaron Howard Jr.; her husband, Amenia Police Constable and Town Justice-elect Christopher Klingner; and her son, Amenia firefighter Zachary Klingner.
“They really brought that hometown feel, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them coming up and being part of such a memorable night for me,” Klingner said with feeling. “The evening is intended to be a personal event and it was awesome to have these men come up and present the colors for me. I had Jonah, the outgoing president of the magistrates, swear me in.”
Reflecting on what this new position means to her, Klingner said, “It’s just such an accomplishment. It takes a lot of time away from your family with all my travels that it means something to be able to represent [my community], and I want to do it the very best I can and I want to continue to be the professional I know I can be as I represent my colleagues.”
Klingner said she looks forward to her year as president and to working with her new board, along with her myriad other responsibilities.
PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains FFA Ag Fair brought a crowd to the high school on Church Street Saturday, Oct. 11.
Kicking off the day was the annual tractor pull, attracting a dedicated crowd that sat in bleachers and folding chairs for hours watching Allison-Chalmers, International Harvesters and John Deeres compete to pull the heaviest weights.
A large collection of food was on offer from the Pine Plains FFA and each one of the classes in the Pine Plains Central School District. The football team was selling pickles.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd enjoyed a dip in the dunk tank to raise money for the Pine Plains teachers’ union-sponsored scholarship.
Stissing Mountain High School Principal Christopher Boyd got dunked several times during his half-hour shift in the dunk tank. Proceeds from the throws benefitted the Photo by Nathan Miller
The Rev. AJ Stack, center right, blessing a chicken at the pet blessing event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia on Saturday, Oct. 4.
AMENIA — After serving more than five years as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia, the Rev. AJ Stack announced Tuesday, Oct. 7, that he will resign from the church and Food of Life/Comida de Vida pantry. His last day at his current post will be Sunday, Nov. 2, the conclusion of the Feast of All Saints.
The news was shared in two emails from Stack — one to Food of Life pantry subscribers and volunteers, and another to parish members.
“I write tonight with difficult news, and I wanted you to hear it from me as soon as the Vestry and I had a chance to meet,” he wrote. “After much prayer and careful discernment, I have submitted my resignation to the Vestry as Priest-in-Charge of St. Thomas, and therefore as Executive Director of Food of Life/Comida de Vida.”
Stack provided few details about his departure. At time of publication, he had not announced his next steps but said the decision was “not sudden,” and followed careful consideration over a period of months. He will not be leaving the area or the diocese.
An announcement about his path forward and the transition process is expected soon. In the meantime, Stack said he remains “fully present” at the church, and the food pantry services will continue without interruption.
Stack expressed gratitude for the community and the growth of St. Thomas’ mission during his tenure. “Together we have welcomed new neighbors and strengthened our outreach in meaningful ways,” he said. “I trust that good work will continue.”
He joined St. Thomas in March 2020 and guided the church and community through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a recent interview with The News about the food pantry, Stack estimated that it serves 653 individuals from 156 households each week, highlighting a significant contribution to the community.
The announcement was met with messages of reassurance from pantry volunteers. Jolly Stewart, a Vestry member and volunteer, wrote to the community with words of reassurance following the announcement. “I have complete faith in the strength of the parish of St. Thomas,” she wrote. “Our history shows how we have done this time and again, each time becoming more than what we were before. We can, without a doubt, do this now.”
MILLERTON — Ten candidates for office in the Nov. 4 election will answer questions from Dutchess County voters at a candidate forum on Friday, Oct. 24, at the Annex at the NorthEast-Millerton Library located at 28 Century Blvd.
The forum, which is sponsored by the library, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Candidates for local and county offices will answer questions from residents in attendance or from residents who have submitted questions in advance.
“We’re excited to keep the tradition of the candidate forum going,” said Rhiannon Leo-Jameson, director of the library. “Some years we can’t always get candidates together.”
This year’s forum will include:
Rachele Grieco Cole, a Democrat, and Chris Mayville, a Republican, who both are running uncontested for the North East Town Council;
Casey McCabe, a Democrat, also running uncontested for North East Justice.
Among Dutchess County races:
Tracy MacKenzie, who is endorsed by Republicans and Democrats, is running uncontested for Dutchess County Family Court Judge;
Kara Gerry, a Democrat, and Ned McLoughlin, a Republican, are in a contest for a Dutchess County Court judgeship currently held by McLoughlin.
Chris Drago, D-19, and Tonya Pulver, a Republican, are competing to represent Dutchess County’s19th District seat currently held by Drago.
Democratic incumbent Dan Aymar-Blair and Will Truitt, the Republican chair of the county legislature, are competing for the Dutchess County Comptroller position currently held by Aymar-Blair.
Leo-Jameson is encouraging questions for the candidates to be submitted in advance, which will not be revealed to candidates beforehand. Dutchess County residents may pose questions during the forum. To submit a question on the library’s website, go to the calendar at nemillertonlibrary.org and find the link in the Oct. 24calendar entries.
The format calls for opening statements from the candidates, followed by questions from residents, and candidates will be able to stay after the forum to answer questions personally.
The “Elusive Ki Shusui” koi were temporarily relocated into a tub before being returned to their home pond at Maxine Pietro’s annual koi harvest at Broccoli Hall Farm in Amenia on Friday, Oct. 10. Speaking of their yellowish beauty, Pietro is pictured pointing out that the fish are scaleless but for scales that grow along the “zipper” on each fish’s dorsal ridge. The koi in the photo are estimated to be 6 or 7 years old.
