MILLBROOK — More than 225 peaceful protesters lined the part of Franklin Avenue that curves from the bus stop and goes along the Tribute Garden property on Sunday, June 7. This included men, women and children of all ages, mostly local residents, holding signs, wearing masks and enjoying the beautiful weather. The event, in support of Black Lives Matter (BLM), which had its existence fraught with controversy at the start, turned out to be a friendly and fruitful happening, with no trouble reported.
Although social distancing was largely non-existent, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, masks were worn and several elbow bumps took place, while others agreed, “We’ll hug later,” when it is safe to do so.
Protest signs ranged from very large to very small, and from elaborate tie-dyed signs to smaller signs done on cardboard with magic marker. What they had in common was their message: Black Lives Matter, and that people are looking for changes in the criminal justice system and of systemic racial bias. The death of George Floyd, a black Minneapolis man killed by a White ex-cop, was not taken lightly here, mirroring feelings from around the country and around the world.
The protest was put together by Larissa Nordone, a five-year resident of Millbrook who has some experience organizing protests. Nordone reports that she suffered a great deal of resistance from the town and village before the rally got off the ground.
While many found out about the event via social media, originally it was meant to be a small gathering of roughly 50 people responding via private messaging.
Some Millbrook teenagers had planned a protest for Monday, June 8, but another teen reportedly sabotaged it. A counter protest focusing on All Lives Matter was announced, but later postponed. Those organizers asked if they could attend Sunday’s protest.
As Sunday neared, the event grew larger and organizers worried about people coming from out of town starting trouble; organizers and officials wanted to know about permits and law enforcement. It was noted that permits are required for marches that may block traffic or pedestrian walkways, require sound amplifying devices, are especially large or cause street closures.
Nordone was told she might be given an appearance ticket by the Village Police at the close of the event if she violated any of the village’s ordinances. That did not occur, she said, as she helped disperse attendees at the end of the event and she and friends made sure the Village Green was free of debris and garbage.
Nordone said all of her fears were put to rest on Sunday as the gathering began, grew and remained peaceful. Millbrook Police Officer Jared Witt moved easily among the crowd, greeting protesters and being greeted by those present. Although there was a “Defund the Police” sign, few signs were anti-police, though they did state the country should do better in its police practices. At least two village trustees were among the crowd, making sure it remained a peaceful event. The demonstration began at 1 p.m. and by 2 p.m. the crowd started to disburse.
Many families attended, using the event as a teaching moment; some were multi-generational. Some of the signs the youngsters clearly made themselves, while others were more sophisticated. Many families were passionate about the cause, and it was an opportunity for some to witness first hand for the first time how America works, and why the First Amendment is so important.
Early on, a Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office car went past, as did a New York State Trooper’s vehicle, but mostly there were cars and trucks passing by, waving and beeping their horns in support. Afterward, protesters said they felt that their message got out, that Millbrook held a peaceful protest while taking an important stance on improving the criminal justice system, the need to address racial inequality, about Black Lives Matter, about how the country must move forward, and, not to be forgotten, about the importance of caring for one another.
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
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.
MILLERTON — The Village Zoning Board of Appeals was scheduled to hold a joint working session with the Planning Board on Tuesday, Oct. 7, and while village officials did not answer questions about the meeting’s purpose, public records indicate it was likely to address a possible merger of the two groups amid ongoing challenges to attract volunteers.
The idea of a merger, raised by ZBA Chair Kelly Kilmer at the Board’s Sept. 2 meeting, would likely help the Village operate more efficiently and address its apparent volunteer shortage. However, the session was canceled due to a lack of quorum — the minimum number of members needed to conduct business.
Officials say the workshop session will be rescheduled.
There is currently one open seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals, which comes with a five-year term starting in 2025. The Planning Board has two openings — one is a new five-year term beginning in 2025, and the other is to complete an existing term that runs through 2028.
Participation has been a challenge over the past year, raising concern among Village Board members. In response, the Board took action in July, unanimously passing a local law on July 29 to help address the issue. The new law, now part of the Village code (Articles 41-3 and 41-4), allows members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to serve even if they live outside the Village, as long as they reside within Dutchess County. Despite expanding the eligibility area, several seats remain unfilled.
Recently appointed Zoning Board Chair Kelly Kilmer spoke at the July 29 Village Board meeting in support of the local law and urged residents to get involved. “It is very crucial that we get people on these boards,” she said. “When people are trying to plan things to upgrade the Village — whether it be their home, their business or whatever — we need people who are going to be here and engaged.”
