Rumors of immigration enforcement activity in Amenia began to flurry Tuesday, Jan. 28. "I want anyone who came to Amenia from Central America — or anywhere else — and has become part of the community to feel safe here," Amenia Town Supervisor Leo Blackmann said.
“Our local economy depends very much on the labor of recent immigrants — as America always has.”
— Leo Blackman,
Amenia town supervisor
AMENIA — On Tuesday, Jan. 28, rumblings of the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Northern Dutchess began making the rounds.
While their exact numbers are unknown, an immigrant population lives in Amenia and its surrounding communities, due in part to its rural character and, for some immigrants, the availability of work on local farms.
As the week progressed, the rumors remained unconfirmed. By Thursday, Jan. 30, Amenia town supervisor Leo Blackman had received three separate reports of concerning incidents involving immigrants — including one report of the verbal harassment of a group of immigrants who were taunted by calls of “ICE, ICE, ICE” from unknown persons — but the incidents remained unverified as no police reports had been filed to Blackman’s knowledge as of Jan. 30.
On Friday, Jan. 31, a notice appeared on the Town of Amenia’s website seemingly confirming the rumors of raids, along with a pamphlet of directives for individuals and families who may be potential targets of ICE As part of the notice, a statement from Blackman was included which read, “I am aware that there have been at least two raids here in the last few days by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I.C.E. Residents of Amenia should not be made to feel unsafe or threatened in our community. Rules that made churches and schools off-limits to I.C.E. have just been rescinded by the Federal government. For the sake of anyone who may be targeted, your rights are attached.”
The accompanying pamphlet, printed in English, Spanish and French, advises immigrants of their legal protections and directs them to contact the Office for New Americans hotline, the Immigrant Defense Project or the New York Immigration Coalition for further guidance. The pamphlet also cautions immigrants to beware of scams and to set up a safety plan for themselves and their families.
A link to the notice has since been removed.
While Blackman has yet to provide specifics regarding the raids in Amenia, he is an advocate of immigrant rights and believes in their value to the local community. “Our local economy depends very much on the labor of recent immigrants — as America always has,” he said, explaining his concerns over the motives of the Trump administration and immigration agents with respect to their targets. “Allegedly, these ICE visits are targeted at immigrants with a criminal record,” he said. “But I expect their mandate will expand. I want anyone who came to Amenia from Central America — or anywhere else — and has become part of the community to feel safe here.”
Maintaining a sense of safety and normalcy is what Webutuck Central School District superintendent Raymond Castellani has been doing while keeping an eye on any local developments involving immigrant students and their families. As with Leo Blackman, Castellani has heard ICE-related rumors in the area. Webutuck, which covers Amenia and North East, is made up of nearly 30% English language learners. Castellani noted that while he has not noticed any significant drops in attendance by immigrant students, he has been actively monitoring the situation and will continue working with his staff to ensure students continue to receive the education and in-school services they require. Castellani said the next few weeks will be critical as rumors continue to swirl, but he remains committed to keeping students on-task while advocating for their security. “Our goal is to keep students safe,” Castellani said. Castellani added that should any incidents involving immigration agents occur on school grounds, he has directed his staff to contact him immediately.
Town supervisor Gary Ciferri of the Town of Washington, however, has yet to notice any immigration enforcement activity in his township. Ciferri’s district, which includes Millbrook, is also a rural community which many immigrants call home. According to Ciferri, though, it’s business as usual in his township. “I haven’t heard of ICE agents in the area,” Ciferri said. “We’re not doing anything differently in Millbrook and the Town of Washington.”
On the county level, Dutchess Sheriff’s Officers reported on Jan. 31 that they, too, were unaware of any ICE presence in the area. “To my knowledge, we have not been contacted by federal authorities,” Captain John Watterson said. Watterson added that any requests for cooperation with Federal agencies by the county would be contingent on the nature of the request and whether a warrant had been issued for a target. “It is possible,” said Watterson, who reiterated he remained unaware of any ICE activity in Northern Dutchess.
Alleged immigration enforcement rumors have also reached Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago, D-19, whose district covers the Towns of North East, Stanford and Pine Plains as well as the Village of Millerton. Drago has been urging concerned residents to remain calm and logical. Contacted by the News on Sunday, Feb. 1, Drago responded by saying, “I’ve been hearing from a lot of community members concerned about potential ICE activity in Dutchess County, and there are a lot of scary rumors circulating locally about raids. Right now it’s important to distinguish between rumors and verified reports through asking questions and checking sources. It’s also important to know your rights. Here in Dutchess County, we look out for our neighbors and community members because we know we are strongest and safest when we stand together. And our small businesses, farms, families and neighborhoods are better off because of it.”
While immigrants remain on alert in Amenia and Northern Dutchess, Leo Blackman has remained strong in his support for their plight by summing up the town’s history. “Amenia has been a welcoming place for many kinds of people for most of its history,” Blackman said. “I want families here to know we intend to continue that tradition.”
The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.
January 24, 1935
About Millerton
Mayor and Mrs. William J. Brewer and Mr. and Mrs. Miles Jenks left on Monday for a month’s vacation in Florida.
Mr. Roy Ganung and daughter, Jane, spent Tuesday afternoon In Poughkeepsie.
Jean Silvernale is confined to home by illness.
Miss Blanche Bates is spending several weeks at the home of her brother, Edward Bates, at Pittsfield, Mass.
George Wooding of Thornewood spent Sunday at the home of his sister, Mrs. Harry Card.
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Decker and family moved to Lakeville on Sunday.
January 22, 1976
Snowmobiles Tresspassing[sic], Officer Says
Trespassing and riding on public roads are the major offenses committed by area snowmobilers this winter, New York State Conservation Officer Harry Wheeler stated this week.
He asserted that a number of snowmobile riders have been sighted traveling on public roads and soaring across private property without permission, both illegal acts.
January 18, 2001
Local Homes Added to Historic Register
COLEMAN STATION — Three houses in the town of North East were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Oliver Barrett House, the Dakin-Coleman Farm and the Thomas Wheeler Farm, all located in the Coleman Station area, were selected by the New York state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to be listed individually on the register, though the entire Coleman Station Valley was considered for the recognition in 1993.
Millerton Sees Some Business Changes; Shops Move, Expand
MILLERTON- Two stores on Main Street in Millerton have interior changes in the works.
Leslie Hoss Flood has recently relocated her Amenia-based store to the basement of the Millerton Antiques Center. Ms. Flood’s shop had been in Amenia for about 15 years, where, in addition to selling used and antique furniture, Ms. Flood also ran an upholstery shop.
After removing several partitions and installing new lights, the basement store looks entirely new. Ms. Flood is pleased with the space, which offers more room in which to showcase her wares. She is also taking advantage of the additional area by creating a separate reupholstery room and a section to display in-stock fabrics.
Pasta-At-Large Expands
After acquiring the empty space, owner Sofia Okołowicz has expanded her business to provide “a little more elbow room inside.”
The front portion has been open since late November and, in recent days, Ms. Okolowicz has removed a wall and had electricity installed in the new area.
The college-age generation is grappling with inflation, increasing housing prices, climate change, and now mass corporate layoffs. In a world where geopolitical turmoil is increasing, the ground beneath their feet is shifting. Many believe their future is bleak.
My nephew, Joey, just got married. His wife lives with her parents, and he lives with his. While he makes good money as a pharmacy manager at a national chain drugstore, neither he nor his wife can afford even a down payment on a house in Long Island. They are moving in with the wife’s parents. Joey’s sister is also married with two children. They also live with their parents. Welcome to the American dream turned nightmare for almost 70 million young Americans.
The typical age range of Gen Z is 1997 to 2012. They are the demographic cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. They are the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in America, with 48% being non-white.
Almost all of this generation is highly active on social media. Almost 60% are planning to pursue a college education. They are just as likely to identify as Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. As such, the present populist upheaval the U.S. is undergoing takes an inordinate toll on them. It may be why 91% of Gen Zers report experiencing symptoms of stress and anxiety.
While Wall Street opened the year celebrating the promise of a bright future, thanks to AI. Opinion leaders predict that artificial intelligence, robots, and space, among other technological breakthroughs, will dramatically reshape the way the world works. For college grads, all they see is a no-fire, no-hire labor market where unemployment among workers ages 20 to 24 continues to rise. It is now to 5.3% and even worse for those younger than that.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers predict the entry-level hiring crisis will worsen this year, rating job prospects as poor or at best fair. At a recent gathering of employers at the Yale School of Management, 66% admitted they planned to cut jobs or freeze hiring.
With an economy that is expected to grow by 3% in 2026, one would have expected the opposite reaction, but then you would not be reckoning with the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market. Potential employers are concerned and uncertain about how AI might reshape the workforce over the next few years, and rightfully so.
Most analysts believe that many white-collar positions, especially at the entry level, will be replaced by technological advancement. Underscoring that concern, many corporate giants, including Amazon, UPS, Target, and Google, announced layoffs affecting more than 60,000 jobs. And to many, that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Faced with taking fast-food jobs at minimum wage and lacking work experience in their hoped-for professions, 3 in 5 Gen Z workers are looking elsewhere for a job with some kind of reasonable future. Almost half of these young workers believe the blue-collar jobs may offer better long-term security than corporate work in the technology fields. The top sectors pursued by Gen Z include plumbing, automotive repair, construction, and electrical work.
I happen to agree with that belief, but unfortunately, Gen Z applicants face the same barrier to entry in their white-collar arena—lack of experience. Many job applicants, regardless of industry, are now required to have at least 3 years of experience and up to 5 years before being considered.
The lure of six-figure salaries in the blue-collar area is attracting more Gen Zs to vocational schools. However, what many conveniently forget is that earning that kind of take-home pay requires years of experience, a substantial investment in personal tools and equipment, and serious wear and tear on the body.
As I write this, in the next room, a 65-year-old builder I’ll call Scott, who is going in for his second knee replacement next month, is building another room in our condo. Assisting him is a young GenZer. There is a constant stream of chatter as Scott talks through his drywalling process. His helper listens intently. They seem eager to learn and ask questions as they work. He did the same when he placed the struts and erected the wall.
For several years, Scott has been involved in a local high school program that teaches vocational school grads his business, while they gain on-the-job experience and a paycheck. Scott and others like him are providing a solution one day at a time. He is one answer to the dilemma facing this struggling generation. This country needs more Scotts to hire and teach a young workforce in need.
Next week, I will highlight one area where many Gen Xers have found an alternative to home ownership. It holds risks but doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get involved.
Bill Schmick is a founding partner of Onota Partners, Inc., in the Berkshires.Bill’s forecasts and opinions are purely his own and do not necessarily represent the views of Onota Partners, Inc. (OPI).
Caroline Farr-Killmer wears her hunting bibs after being inducted into the historic Rounders’ Hunting Club in November 2025, becoming the first woman to join the club since it was founded by World War II veterans in 1954.
MILLERTON — A lot has changed for Caroline Farr-Killmer over the last two decades, but the smell of campfire smoke and the familiar bark of an old blue alarm clock have stood the test of time at the hunting grounds of the historic Rounders club, a place that has served as a second home for her family for generations.
In November 2025, Farr-Killmer, 25, became the first adult woman to be unanimously voted into the hunting club, a group that’s known as much for its camaraderie and history as its dedication to safety, respect and the outdoors.
Founded in 1954 by WWII veterans, the group — originally named the Rounders of Riga — began as six men who wanted to step away from civilian life and gather around a shared love of hunting. Longtime member Larry Conklin has referred to the group as the “real-deal Band of Brothers,” which has expanded to include vetted family members and friends over time. Farr-Killmer is its newest member.
Today, the Rounders club is comprised of 10 adult members, along with several junior members.
Though she is defying gender stereotypes, Farr-Killmer approaches the milestone with gratitude, viewing it as a chance to learn from a community that has always felt like home.
During hunting season, which takes place between November and early winter, members take turns doing chores, which can include constructing the 16 x 32 military tent or preparing meals like venison tacos.
“I am grateful and excited,” Farr-Killmer said, adding that she appreciates the vote of confidence from the Rounders. “I think it will be fun to bring a female presence into the hunting world, especially as it is such a male-dominated sport.”
While a number of female junior members currently exist, Farr-Killmer hopes that her hands-on involvement will pave the way for other women to join in the future.
Farr-Killmer’s connection to the Rounders spans generations. Her grandfather, Bryant Killmer, was the first family member to join the Rounders in the 1990s and remained an active member until his death in 2020.
“As a kid, I would look forward to all the stories from the older gentlemen who had lived such interesting lives — many of whom were veterans,” Farr-Killmer said.
Today, she carries on her family’s legacy with her brother, a junior member, and her father.
“My family is excited, but especially my dad, Ray,” she said.
Ray Killmer — who taught her the culture, tactics and lifestyle — said he is proud of her.
“I look forward to the legacy being carried on,” he said.
When she received the official welcome into the club, Farr-Killmer said she was “ecstatic.” Though she has been attending camp since childhood for its social traditions, she has only been hunting for several years.
Induction into the Rounders marks another achievement for Farr-Killmer, who has been heading up the demolition and reconstruction of Millerton’s water department building since a fire destroyed it and all the equipment inside last year.
“I want to send the message that you can do what you set your mind to,” she said. “I think it is great that times have evolved and this sport has become one that is much more inclusive.”
