Comptroller race attracts Democratic challenger

Dutchess County Decides 2024

POUGHKEEPSIE — One of the many races on the ballot this November in Dutchess County is for County Comptroller.

Current comptroller A. Gregg Pulver, a Republican, is going head-to-head with Democrat Dan Aymar-Blair for the seat.

Pulver became the comptroller at the beginning of 2024 when Robin Lois, his predecessor, took a job in state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office. “With my years of experience running budgets and county government, they thought I would be a good fit,” Pulver said.

Pulver has worked in agriculture and government at the local and county levels for years. This experience has given him a lot of exposure to budgets on the legislative side. As comptroller, he said, Pulver tries to work with legislators and not against them. “We try to solve problems,” Pulver said. “Not create problems.”

Aymar-Blair, Pulver’s Democratic challenger, said he wants to bring a more critical, direct approach to the comptroller’s office. Although the comptroller is not a policy-making office, Blair said the comptroller should take a more active role in county government, issuing reports with strong, evidence-based arguments for or against spending.

Aymar-Blair said he’s had years of experience managing and auditing budgets, including for New York City Public Schools where he’s managed a budget as large as Dutchess County’s since 2009. On top of his day job, Aymar-Blair has been involved in political activism and non-profits, and he’s currently finishing out his third term as Beacon City Councilman.

Aymar-Blair has some big plans if elected to comptroller. “Eventually I want to get to every department,” Aymar-Blair said. He sees reporting as a huge part of the job, and a source of power for the comptroller that’s under utilized.

“Looking at the long-term finances of the county, I’d like to see the county make more investments that save us money over time,” Aymar-Blair said. He believes the county is over-reliant on sales tax, and the more than $1 billion in pension and other fiscal obligations makes him nervous for a potential downturn and decline in sales tax revenue, especially after Albany failed to approve sales tax increases recently.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. More information on how to register to vote can be found at elections.ny.gov.

Latest News

Governor Hochul implements temporary statewide burn ban

The LED sign in front of Amenia's Town Hall on Route 22 warns passing motorists of the current temporary burn ban, in effect from Oct. 2 to Oct. 15.

Photo by Nathan Miller

A statewide burn ban is in effect as of Thursday, Oct. 2, the New York State Governor's office announced in a press release.

The temporary ban is in effect until at least Oct. 15, and the statement released by the governor's office said the restrictions will be re-evaluated prior to the Oct. 15 deadline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Barbara Meyers DelPrete

LAKEVILLE, Conn. — Barbara Meyers DelPrete, 84, passed away Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:00a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 76 Sharon Rd., Lakeville.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stanford’s Haunted Fortress gearing up for opening day

Volunteers were hard at work putting the finishing touches on the crucial creepy decorations for the Haunted Fortress of Stanford on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Nathan Miller

STANFORD — Greg Arent led a devoted team of volunteers on Sunday, Sept. 28, in a final push to prepare Stanford’s Haunted Fortress for opening day.

Final touches included cleaning the bottomless pit, scrubbing the pirate ship, raking the graveyard and dressing the dolls. By 2 p.m., about 20 volunteers had assembled to creepify the beloved local landmark.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Public Works Superintendent resigns, Police Chief takes the job

From left, Jim Milton, Spencer Parks and William J. Clark stand with Joseph Olenik on their first day working under him as the head of Public Works on Monday, Sept. 29.

Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Village announced a leadership change at the Highway Department on Friday following the resignation of Superintendent Peter Dellaghelfa. Police Chief Joseph Olenik will step into the role, effective immediately, officials said.

Olenik will continue to serve as Police Chief.

Keep ReadingShow less