Letters to the Editor - October 9, 2025

Charlie Miller shows his work, shows up

There are eight people running for four positions on Amenia’s Town Board. And it may be confusing about who will actually work best for this Town.

But do you really know them and what they bring? They may claim to have done things that resonate with us but what’s our proof?What have they done specifically for the Town?Do we know how long they struggle to figure things out? Things that have a deadline?

I have seen proof for one of the candidates and I solidly endorse Charlie Miller for Town Board.

I was a member of both Wastewater and Affordable Housing Committees long enough to know how consistently and thoroughly Charlie Miller learns his stuff and is able to inform committee members on every relevant detail of a subject. He volunteered and chaired tirelessly and faithfully for years to better the Town.

Engineering reports, done, planning reports, done, surveys, done. Several community information sessions and engagements, done. Several detailed presentations, done. All for wastewater solutions and affordable housing, both of which we need.

Through endless research he did the heavy lifting for us all. He continues to get things done for us now and for future generations as the Chair of both committees and the Town’s current Budget Officer.

If you think that’s good enough, there’s more. Charlie has a brilliant and quick mind when it comes to numbers, math, calculations. I once needed a budget done for a grant I was applying for (A/C heat pumps in gym.) After being rebuffed by our contracted grant writers and facing a looming deadline, Charlie quickly calculated the budget with time to spare, as a volunteer who truly cares.

As Chairman of the Amenia Housing Board Charlie led the way to increase developer fees to $2.3 million from $610,000. Working with the Supervisor, he led the bidding process for a new Water Engineer, Highway Garage Engineer and Wastewater Engineer.

With Town Board authorization and to fulfill NYS requirement that Town’s have an investment policy, Charlie identified wasteful spending and through new investment opportunities, earned close to $190,000 for Amenia! As a fiscal conservative you can bet he will continue to do that. He is savvy, resourceful and tenacious. As a Town Board member,he will hit the ground running, he already has. We don’t have the luxury of voting in people who will waste our time for “on-the-job training” or “winging-it”. Charlie shows his work. He shows up. Look for him in the past few years of recorded Town Board meetings.

Please join me in voting for Charlie Miller for Town Board. I think he truly earned it.

Stacy Mantel

Amenia

Library is vital part of community

I have lived in Millerton for 86% of my life and during that time the NorthEast-Millerton library has always been there for me. They have offered amazing programs that have helped me learn and grow as a person. Not only do they offer books, but one can also take out CDs, games, and use spices. The library is a vital part of our community providing support and a space to grow. Come election, please support the library.

Jane Wood

Millerton

Drago’s achievements and focus are right for residents of District 19

As a senior citizen in District 19, I would like to thank Chris Drago for his effective work on the issue of emergency medical services, and to urge District 19 voters to re-elect him as our representative to the Dutchess County Legislature.

Chris’s efforts to improve EMS services for our region resulted in a $2 million appropriation for supplemental EMS coverage.While supporting the important efforts of our EMS volunteers, Chris is working toward a long-term plan to lower costs while ensuring more consistent and reliable service for everyone in Dutchess County – including Northern Dutchess, where response times are currently longer than in the southern part of the county.

Chris has also worked to secure a $6 million grant to support ADU housing, and to help fund a new mental health center in Rhinebeck.And he has helped to expose wasteful County spending and pushed for greater transparency and accountability in how the County spends our tax dollars.

Chris’s opponent, Tonya Pulver, is a school psychologist whose “big experience with politics” consists of her mother’s service on the Pine Plains Town Board and the experience of her husband, Gregg Pulver, on the Pine Plains Town Board, as Town Supervisor and in the County Legislature.(The New Pine Plains Herald, March 14, 2025).The Dutchess County Conservative Party, in endorsing Ms. Pulver, pointed to her “name recognition which plays a big part when running for political office . . . .” (id.).

As for her motivation in running for Legislator,Ms. Pulver said that she wishes to give back to her community and that “I have a little bit of extra time in my life, and it’s something worth trying.”(Id.)

In my opinion, Chris Drago’s focus and achievements in the areas of EMS, housing and mental health services in our district show a far more substantial drive and motivation for serving as District 19 Legislator than someone with extra time on her hands who wants to try something new.

Furthermore, the fact that Gregg Pulver currently serves in the appointed position of Deputy County Executive raises the question of whether Tonya Pulver would be a truly independent voice in the Legislature, particularly in view of the fact that her husband, after losing elections, has been favored with two appointments to County office.

We need a Legislator with no baggage, no political obligations and no interests other than those of us – the residents of District 19.

Amy Rothstein

Pine Plains