Democrats gather for election year kick-off

In the wake of the Democratic Party’s National Convention, the Amenia Democratic Committee held a kick-off event for the 2024 election campaign season on Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Indian Rock Schoolhouse pavilion. Candidates spoke and volunteers signed up for supporting tasks. At the end, candidates, officials, and volunteers gathered to show off lawn signs that will appear throughout the town.

Photo by Leila Hawken

Democrats gather for election year kick-off

AMENIA — Continuing momentum fueled by the recent Democratic National Convention, the Amenia Democratic Committee held a kick-off event on Sunday, Aug. 25, at the Indian Rock Schoolhouse pavilion, gearing up and organizing for the upcoming campaign push to the November elections.

While the group of nearly 50 volunteers gathered, music was provided by folk guitarist Joseph Sobol, who had written a piece called “The Timothy Waltz,” set to the tune of “The Tennessee Waltz.” He said it was a piece that just had to be written.

Town Supervisor Leo Blackman rallied support and the spirit of volunteerism to get the vote out, while observing that in his position as a town official, his approach to leadership is importantly non-partisan. He did admit to be “jazzed” by the national convention.

Town Board member Rosanna Hamm reported that at last year’s election, of the 864 registered Democrats, only 401 cast ballots.
“We need to get out and vote,” Hamm said, encouraging everyone to talk with their neighbors, an example of something that can be done.

Candidate for Dutchess County Comptroller, Dan Aymar-Blair of Beacon, spoke of positive energy he was finding during his canvassing door-to-door. And, he noted that at 5’11”, he is the tallest person running for Comptroller.

“We need financial oversight in Dutchess County,” Aymar-Blair said, noting that the county has a $600 million budget, but a debt of more than $1 billion. He added that residents need his experience (20 years in public finance) and his independence in the office.

Representing candidate Michelle Hinchey in her bid for state Senate District 41, Eddie Monroy, her deputy campaign manager, described her as “an advocate for communities in rural New York.”

“To reflect our values, we have to be engaged and committed to voting this year,” Monroy said. He noted that over the past three years of service, Hinchey had endorsed 74 bills.

“I work really hard and I show up for other people,” said Town Board candidate Charlie Miller, who reviewed his work with a variety of town committees, including Housing and Wastewater. Miller is running for a one-year term to fill the Town Board seat vacated by Leo Blackman when he was elected Town Supervisor.

“I’m a fiscally responsible person,” Miller said, describing his commitment to research to understand fully issues facing the town.
Energized by the event, attendees stepped up to volunteer to canvass door-to-door, make phone calls, mail postcards, and most carried away a stack of lawn signs.

Latest News

School budgets pass amid strong turnout in May 20 polling

With robust voter turnout throughout the region, proposed 2025-26 education budgets passed handily, along with their additional propositions, in the polling held on Tuesday, May 20.

Webutuck Central School District

By a margin of 173 to 103, voters approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $28,665,850, an increase of 5.96% over the current year. After expected revenues are factored in, the amount to be raised by local taxes is $19,403,307, a 5.27% increase over the current year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Amenia gathers at Fountain Square

A traditional Memorial Day observance to honor the fallen was held Fountain Square on Monday, May 26. The ceremony included an Honor Guard from the Wassaic Fire Company standing by the Veterans’ Memorial Wall.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — The community gathered at Fountain Square under sunny skies on Monday, May 26, for a Memorial Day ceremony to honor the fallen who bravely served their country. Remembrances, tributes, prayers and music combined to create the fitting annual tribute.

An Honor Guard from VFW Post #5444 of Dover Plains presented the colors at the start of the ceremony that began promptly at 11 a.m. with a welcome from VFW Commander Nick Woodard to the more than 100 who had gathered.

Keep ReadingShow less
Looking at America
Photo by Aly Morrissey

Jay Dacey of the United Kingdom’s Channel 4 took an unexpected detour to the Village of Millerton on Friday, May 23 to capture footage of a rural American town.

The stop was one of the last on a 10-day trip to the United States to film a piece on American politics.

Keep ReadingShow less
Townscape’s flower power

Red, white and blue Memorial Day planting by Townscape’s volunteers ahead of Memorial Day ceremonies.

Photo by Leslie Farhangi

The Townscape team was out in force in time for Memorial Day in its 25th year of flower planting.

Planting were place throughout the village, and they can be found at the War Memorial in Veterans Park, in the boxes and planters on the bridge on Main Street, and at the Rail Trail crossing. As always, Tracy Hanselman and Jim Lambertson gave Townscape assistance with their expert horticultural direction, and they will maintain and water the plants throughout the season.

Keep ReadingShow less