Few surprises in Washington election, Millbrook more complex

Washington — Nov. 2, Election Day, was busy in the Town of Washington and Village of Millbrook. With many issues pending in the adjacent communities, registered voters wanted to make sure they weighed in on who would be running their municipal boards.

TOW unofficial results

Incumbent Washington town Supervisor Gary Ciferri (REP) ran unopposed for another term in office. He clearly had voters’ support, earning all 877 votes cast, according to the unofficial results posted by the Dutchess County Board of Elections’ website, www.elections.dutchessny.gov, by late in the evening on Election Day. There were 10 write-in ballots for town supervisor.

Ciferri has served six years as supervisor. He previously served as mayor in the village of Millbrook from 1988 to 2003.

According to the BOE’s unofficial results, incumbent Councilman Michael Murphy (REP) came in first place with 637 votes; incumbent Councilman Stephen Turletes (REP) clinched the second regular seat with 613 votes; political newcomer and local farmer Doug Giles (My Millbrook Party—MMP) came in third place, garnering 591 votes; and attorney and political newcomer Leslie Heaney (MMP) came in fourth place, with 596 votes.

A seat on the TOW Town Board for an unexpired term brought a different set of candidates. That race was won by incumbent Councilman Joe Rochfort (REP), with 649 votes; newcomer, financial expert Andrew Spence (MMP), earned 571 votes.

Turletes has been on the Town Board for more than 20 years. Murphy will be starting his second elected term if his victory is confirmed. Rochfort is currently serving the unexpired term of the late Councilman Al DeBonis. Rochfort previously served one term as a trustee on the Millbrook Village Board.

It may be several weeks before the results for the other races in the Town of Washington (TOW) are confirmed due to absentee ballots, which must still be counted.

When asked for comment, Ciferri said it’s early to speak until all of the votes are tallied, but he did say everyone canvassed the area to get voters to head to the polls.

“We worked very hard, went out knocking on doors, talking to people, and the other side did as well,” he said. “I was disappointed that there was so much misinformation spread.”

Ciferri said he was referring to the controversial Second Mountain application currently on hold, which proposed converting the former Migdale estate into a spa and hotel in Mabbettsville. The one-time application led to a moratorium in town as well as the town’s Comprehensive Plan to be re-evaluated, and for the town to consider hospitality as a use.

Village unofficial results

The Village of Millbrook had one vacancy up for grabs, with two candidates running to fill the unexpired term created when Tim Collopy was elected mayor mid-term.

There was a mix-up with the ballots, causing only one seat to be listed, although two positions exist. The Village Board voted at a recent meeting to have the runner-up be appointed to serve for the next year. The elected winner and the appointed trustee may run again in 2022 for full four-year terms.

Newcomer, professor Peter Doro (REP) garnered 241 votes on Election Day, earning the win. Incumbent Trustee Buffy Arbogast (D), came in second place with 230 votes. Arbogast is currently serving an unexpired term; she will be appointed to the new board and be eligible to rerun the following year.

Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Employment Opportunities

Employment Opportunities

LJMN Media, publisher of The Lakeville Journal (first published in 1897) and The Millerton News (first published in 1932) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit news organization.

We seek to help readers make more informed decisions through comprehensive news coverage of communities in Northwest Connecticut and Eastern Dutchess County in New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
about us

Pine Plains Bombers defeated at Section IX Regional

Pine Plains Bombers defeated at Section IX Regional

Giana Dormi, no. 3 of Pine Plains, and Michelle Blackburn, no. 12 of Pine Plains, put the pressure on Juliana Manginelli, no. 11 of Tuckahoe, as she tries to find a pass during the second round of the regional tournament at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, N.Y. on Tuesday, March 11.

Photo by Nathan Miller

NEWBURGH, N.Y. — The Pine Plains Bombers were knocked out in second round of the Section IX regional tournament after a hard fought game against the Tuckahoe Tigers on Tuesday, March 11.

The Bombers won the tip and got off to an early lead, but the Tuckahoe Tigers outpaced them quickly and finished the game 59-25.

Keep ReadingShow less
basketball

County comptroller releases special report on federal funding

County comptroller releases special report on federal funding

Dan Aymar-Blair

Photo provided

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair released a special report early last week on federal monies and how they move through the county level, including the disbursement process in the county; how federal funding benefits Dutchess residents and whether any fiscal distribution issues have surfaced locally as a result of actions taken on behalf of the Trump administration.

According to Aymar-Blair’s report, federal programming represents roughly 10% of Dutchess expenditures, not including any COVID-19 assistance. As an illustration of federal- to county-level distribution and spending, in 2023, under the Biden administration, the county received approximately $65 million from the U.S. government with $25 million going toward direct aid in support of such programs as home energy assistance and food stamps. Federal monies were also disbursed — and continue to be directed — toward county-level agencies, programming and supports such as adoption, foster care and child care needs, emergency/disaster assistance, infrastructure development and maintenance, and workforce initiatives.

Keep ReadingShow less
government

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

‘Selected Shorts’ comes to Stissing Center

The Stissing Center was bustling just before the show on Sunday, March 9.

Photo by Alec Linden

PINE PLAINS — The Stissing Center was packed on Sunday for an afternoon performance of podcast and NPR series “Selected Shorts.” The sold-out show, which was recorded for national broadcast at a later date, brought a lineup of four accomplished actors and storytellers to the Pine Plains stage to recite a selection of short stories from award-winning authors.

“Selected Shorts,” a product of Manhattan-based performing arts powerhouse Symphony Space, features prominent actors who recite works of short fiction. The full program usually revolves around a theme; Sunday afternoon’s focus was “transformations.”
Comedian, writer and actress Ophira Eisenberg — or “renaissance woman of storytelling,” as Stissing Center Executive Director Patrick Trettenero introduced her — assumed hosting duties, warming up the crowd with jokes about Brooklyn egg prices and doctors with self-esteem issues — “I want a megalomaniac with a god complex and no hobbies.”

Keep ReadingShow less
events