State Representative Didi Barrett (D-106), center, visited Eddie Collins Park in Millerton on Thursday, July 25, with, from left, North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan, New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago (D-19) and Village Mayor Jennifer Najdek.
MILLERTON — Carl Heastie, Speaker of the New York State Assembly, joined State Representative Didi Barrett (D-106) at Eddie Collins Memorial Park in Millerton Thursday, July 25 to announce that Phase Two renovation of the park that includes a swimming pool will have its funding ensured.
Phase Two includes, besides a pool, a bathhouse with offices, a concession stand and a community room.
The initial renovation of the park cost $2.2 million, was completed in 2022 and included regrading of the park, a new entrance and paved parking areas, a soccer field, accessible playground upgrades, new basketball courts and pavilion improvements.
The remaining phase is estimated to cost approximately $7.5 million.
In May Village trustees voted to apply for a $6.3 million grant under the NY SWIMS intiative, a capital grant program included in the 2025 New York State budget.
The Village also has applied for a $675,000 grant through New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Speaker Heastie is currently on his annual statewide tour and visited the park and its recent additions. Heastie and Barrett were joined by several members of the Millerton community, including Stephen Waite, former Village of Millerton trustee, Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan, Village Mayor Jennifer Najdek and Jennifer Dowley and Jeanne Vanneck, advocates for the transformation of the park.
Heastie and Barrett pledged to provide funding for whatever costs not covered by the state grants.
“Somehow we will figure out how to fund this entire project,” Heastie said.
The Speaker said he is dedicated to providing opportunities to New York state residents, regardless of ability.
“A new pool is another step in our continued efforts to provide all communities accessible opportunities to swim,” he said.
In a statement, Barrett said, “I’m pleased to welcome Speaker Carl Heastie back to my district and to announce funding for a new, state-of-the-art pool and pool house at Eddie Collins Memorial Park.
“This park has been an integral part of the northeastern Dutchess community for generations, and I worked closely with Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek, North East Town Supervisor Chris Kennan and the project leaders to help them secure phase one funding, including $125,000 for handicap-accessible bleachers at the baseball field.
“Today’s announcement will ensure that phase two of this important project will be completed, and that residents and visitors alike will have a place to learn to swim and to gather.”
The Millerton community has witnessed the revitalization of Eddie Collins Memorial Park over recent years. The park brings the community together, and with its continued expansion seeks opportunities to provide accessible engagement for all.
The planned pool would be located in front of the playground, with an L-shaped pool house beside it. Dowley and Vanneck said the pool house would include a commercial kitchen, community room and other community-oriented spaces.
Decisions on the grant applications should be announced starting in September.
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.
