DUTCHESS COUNTY — November 2023 Dutchess County election results, posted on the Dutchess County Board of Elections website as of Friday, Nov. 10, at 12:28 p.m., remain preliminary and do not include a full count of absentee ballots.
In an off-year election, when there were no federal or state contests on the ballot, turnout is typically limited. Results in town board races this November showed the difference that a few votes can make in a local election.
Drago ousts Pulver
With the help of Working Families voters, Democrat first-time candidate Chris Drago upset popular Republican Gregg Pulver for the District 19 Dutchess County Legislature seat by 50.68% to 49.11%, a preliminary margin of only 60 votes. District 19 is composed of North East, Stanford, Pine Plains and Milan.
The second party line was decisive: although Pulver had strong Republican support of 47.26% over Drago’s 44.99% on the Democratic line, Pulver chose to run on the Common Ground line and not to appear on the Conservative line (candidates are limited to two lines). Asked about his decision to run on the Common Ground line, Pulver said it was his way of “keeping divisiveness out of politics.”
Pulver complimented Drago on doing “a better job of getting his message out. Now it’s time to do the work.”
With Pulver’s defeat, the towns in the 19th District have lost Pulver’s power as the chair of the Legislature, which remains strongly Republican.
Asked if he will run again, Pulver commented: “When I lost the election for Pine Plains supervisor, I thought I was done with politics. Two years later I ran for the county Legislature. You never know what doors will open.”
Ballot errors disrupt North East results
In North East, the 712-voter turnout was significantly higher than 2021’s turnout of 479, even though there were no contentious town races.
Town Supervisor Christopher Kennan ran unopposed, as did Town Clerk Elizabeth “Tilly” Strauss and Justice Dennis Johnson. Broken down by party, however, the totals indicate that North East is becoming an increasingly Democratic town.
The race for three town board seats—two four-year seats and one two-year seat—was supposed to be uncontested as well, with Lana Morrison and Chris Mayville running for the two four-year seats and Meg Winkler for the single two-year seat.
However, a flawed ballot had these three candidates vying for the two four-year seats, and offered no candidate for the two-year seat. The results were 673 votes for Morrison, 415 for Winkler and 332 for Mayville for the four-year term, with 159 write-ins for the two-year term.
Until the write-ins are counted, it’s unclear who will take the two-year term. If it is Winkler, she will have the choice to pick a two- or four-year term length. If she picks the four-year seat, the Town Board will appoint someone to a one-year term and, next year, there will be another election for the remaining year on that seat.
Pine Plains
In Pine Plains, Republican Town Supervisor Brian Walsh, Town Clerk Madelin DaFoe, who was endorsed by both Republicans and Democrats, ran unopposed.
In the Town Board contest, Democrats Jeanine Sisco and Kevin Walsh overcame Republicans James Smith and Paul Murphy. In the race for Pine Plains superintendent of highways, incumbent Democrat Carl Baden easily overcame Republican challenger Lisa Ambrose 75.87% to 23.88%.
In the election of town justice, Pine Plains voters selected Richard Brenner, a former deputy sheriff and a real estate agent, with 54.19%. He defeated Democratic attorney Stella Isaza with 45.56%.
Towns of Amenia, Washington, and Stanford
In Dutchess County Legislative District 25—which includes Amenia, Washington, Pleasant Valley and Millbrook—incumbent Republican Deirdre Houston defeated Democrat Nallely Hanna 57.93% to 42.03%.
In the race for Amenia town supervisor, Leo Blackman seems to have defeated longtime town supervisor, Republican Victoria Perotti, by 29 votes. The last-minute write-in campaign led by Munawar Ahmed received 123 votes.
In the race for two seats on the Amenia Town Board, Republican Paul Winters edged out longtime incumbent Vicki Doyle by just eight votes, 533 to 541. Democrat and former schoolteacher Rosanna Hamm received 638 votes, secured a place on the board.
The Town of Washington remained solidly Republican, with Town Clerk Christine Briggs, Town Justice Carol Poles, and highway Superintendent Joseph Spagnola all running unopposed. In the Town Board election for two seats, Republican incumbents Joseph Rochfort and Robert Audia easily overcame Adam Brandow, the only Democrat running for office.
In Stanford, Democrat Town Supervisor Wendy Burton won her third two-year term over Republican Bill Harkleroad by 12.2%, or 159 votes.
The contest for the two Town Board seats tipped toward Democrats Julia Descoteaux and Eric Haims, who together won 1,307 votes over Republicans Adrienne Zetterberg’s and Joe Colclough’s combined 1,228.
Dutchess County
In countywide elections, only two incumbents ran for office. Republican Brad Kendall, county clerk since 2007, beat Kenya Gadsden for the second time, 53.57% to 46.38%. Unofficial results indicate that incumbent Family Court Judge Joseph Egitto has edged out Democrat James Rogers 50.61% to 49.33%, with strong support on the Conservative Party line.
In the hotly contested race to replace Republican William Grady after four decades as county District Attorney, Democrat Anthony Parisi beat Republican Matthew Weishaupt 51.66% to 48.29%.
Countywide, all four Democratic candidates for the New York Supreme Court, District 19, were elected, with Francesca Connolly garnering the most votes—including, curiously, on the Conservative ballot line, though they did not need those votes to win.
Although not incumbent, well-known former State Sen. Sue Serino, with strong support from the Republican Committee, easily defeated political first-timer Democrat Tommy Zurhellen, 56.61% to 43.33%.
Following his loss, Zurhellen posted on his website, “I hope my campaign inspires other folks to get involved and pursue a life of public service.”
Absentee ballots postmarked through Tuesday, Nov. 7 will be counted on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The names of write-in candidates, important in elections in Amenia and the Town of North East, will be tabulated later.
Drivers should expect more police on the roads this weekend as law enforcement warns of ramped-up DWI check-points over Super Bowl weekend.
Law enforcement is expected to ramp up DWI check-points across the region this weekend.
Across Dutchess County, local law enforcement agencies will take part in a “high-visibility enforcement effort” during Super Bowl weekend aimed at preventing drivers from operating vehicles under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints are planned throughout the county from Sunday, Feb. 8, through Monday, Feb. 9.
In a statement, Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino emphasized the need for safe roads and thanked law enforcement who “work year-round to keep our neighborhoods safe.” She added, “Make the winning play during Super Bowl weekend and plan for a safe ride home.”
Nationwide, traffic fatality data indicates Super Bowl Sunday is one of the deadliest days of the year for impaired driving, with a significantly higher number of alcohol-related deaths than on typical Sundays.
During the Jan. 29 Village Board meeting, trustees voted to sign the annual STOP-DWI agreement with Dutchess County, part of a statewide effort to keep dangerous drivers off the roads. Similar efforts also take place around Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and during the December holiday season.
Millerton Police Chief Joseph Olenik said his department typically participates in all DWI check-points, but will not this weekend because of staffing issues. He said that does not mean county and state police will not be active in the Millerton area.
Students wore black at Housatonic Valley Regional High School Friday, Jan. 30, while recognizing a day of silence to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
FALLS VILLAGE — In the wake of two fatal shootings involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota, students across the country have organized demonstrations to protest the federal agency. While some teens have staged school walkouts or public protests, students at Housatonic Valley Regional High School chose a quieter approach.
On Friday, Jan. 30, a group of HVRHS students organized a voluntary “day of silence,” encouraging participants to wear black as a form of peaceful protest without disrupting classes.
The idea was spearheaded by junior Sophia Fitz, who said she wanted a way for students to express their concerns while remaining in school.
“What really inspired me was that I was feeling very helpless with these issues,” Fitz said. “Staying educated with what’s going on in not only our country but globally can be very stressful as a teenager. Kids right now are feeling very hopeless and want to do something, but don’t know how.”
Teachers Peter Verymilyea and Damon Osora were on board with the idea early on, describing it as a peaceful and respectful way for students to express their beliefs.
Assistant Principal Steven Schibi also backed the effort, emphasizing the importance of student participation.“I think it’s important for us to listen to students,” he said. “And they have to learn how to have a voice in such a way that it’s not disruptive.”
After discussions with Superintendent Melony Brady-Shanley and Principal Ian Strever, school administrators agreed that participation would be optional and that students could choose whether to wear black or not.
Schibi, along with several staff members, participated in the movement by wearing black themselves. Math department chair Kara Jones was among the participating teachers. “Everybody deserves their voice, so I’d rather do the day of silence than everybody stay home,” she said.
Among HVRHS students who supported the protest, at least one cited concern for friends affected by immigration enforcement.
Sophomore Peyton Bushnell said he felt anxious, fearing for the safety of friends and acquaintances. “I think it’s all really messed up,” Bushnell said. “I have a lot of Hispanic friends, and I worry if there’s ICE in Great Barrington, if they came here [and] deported my friends. I can’t even imagine.”
Bushnell said Fitz’s initiative encouraged him to speak more openly about the issue.
Senior Molly Ford echoed that sentiment. “I think it’s a peaceful way to protest and I think it’s the best way to do so,” Ford said.
Many students wore black to show support, and senior Victoria Brooks shared her thoughts on what it meant to her. “It means following along in a form of advocacy alongside other students,” Brooks said.
Some students declined to comment when asked about the protest. Others said they were unaware the protest was taking place. Three seniors interviewed during lunch said they would have participated had they known, calling it a “neat idea.”
Not all students were convinced of the protest’s impact. A group of juniors questioned whether it would make a difference.
“I think that it is good that we’re trying to do something,” one student said. “But I’m not sure how much the silence aspect of it will help, but I think that it’s good that we’re trying.”
Some students questioned the efficacy of the protests, including a group of seniors who offered their opinions. They expressed the belief that the protests were “pointless,” and that President Donald Trump probably didn’t even know that HVRHS existed.
“I just don’t think it’s the best way to go about it. Like, what is us being silent and wearing black gonna do,” one of the seniors said.
Senior Cohen Cecchinato voiced his opposition to the protests in another interview.
“The staying silent, I think, is for the lives that were lost, which I agree with,” Cecchinato said. “But I think that wearing black, like the movement that it’s behind, the people that are putting it into place in our school are doing it because it’s like the ‘F ICE’ movement or the abolish ICE movement, which I think is just wrong.”
Other students said they believed political protests don’t belong in school.
“I just don’t think we should bring politics into school,” one senior said. Another added, “I think it’s causing … a really big divide and people are using it to be advantageous to themselves and their own beliefs.”
However, one senior expressed a sharply critical view of the protest. Senior Ashton Osborne dismissed students who chose to wear black or participate in the demonstration and criticized organizer Sophia Fitz. He also said he strongly supported the federal immigration agency and added that if he were old enough, he would want to work for ICE.
The comments reflected a minority viewpoint among students.
Mia DiRocco, Hannah Johnson and Peter Austin are seniors at Housatonic Valley Regional High School and participants in The Lakeville Journal’s student journalism program, which produces HVRHS Today.
PINE PLAINS — Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago, D-19, will host a public forum later this month to discuss ongoing childcare challenges — and potential solutions — facing families in Northern Dutchess. The discussion will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Stissing Center in Pine Plains and is free and open to the public.
Drago said the goal of the forum is to gather community feedback that can be shared with county and state stakeholders, as Dutchess County positions itself to benefit from $20 million in state funding as part of a new childcare pilot program.
Earlier this month, Dutchess County was named as one of three counties in New York selected to participate in the pilot, which was announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul as part of a broader plan to bring universal childcare to the state. The funding is expected to support expanded childcare capacity, with a focus on infants and toddlers.
“We are inviting people who have expressed concern about childcare in Northern Dutchess, along with local school and faith-based program leaders, nonprofit organizations, and elected officials,” Drago said in a statement, calling childcare solutions a “critical need in our communities.”
The event follows the recent closure of the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program (ELP), which left a number of families in Millerton and surrounding towns without childcare options — and left teachers without jobs. NECC announced the closure of ELP in early November and officially closed its doors on Dec. 18, 2025.
In a signal of support, Assemblymember Didi Barrett — who represents a largely rural district that covers parts of Dutchess and Columbia Counties — joined childcare advocates in the state capital last week to hear concerns from constituents. Barrett has praised recent state investments aimed at addressing childcare gaps, saying she will fight to ensure funds reach rural parts of her district.
“I am committed to ensuring that this is truly universal childcare and that the program addresses the childcare needs in Millerton, North East, and the surrounding communities, especially with the recent closure of the North East Community Center’s Early Learning Program,” Barrett said.
In December, Barrett secured $1 million in funding to expand childcare services at Dutchess Community College, and said she is committed to ensuring that new state funds will benefit those in rural communities.
A proposed deportation processing center in Chester, New York, has sparked widespread backlash from local residents and advocates across the Hudson Valley.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a public notice on Jan. 8 outlining the plan, which calls for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to purchase and convert a warehouse at 29 Elizabeth Drive in Chester “in support of ICE operations.” The facility, located in Orange County, is a former Pep Boys distribution warehouse that was previously used to store tires and auto parts.
More than 400 people appeared at the Chester Village Board meeting on Jan. 12, according to a public letter addressed to ICE on the Village of Chester’s website, villageofchesterny.gov.
Village officials issued the letter on Jan. 16, formally opposing the proposal. The letter cited concerns about strain on the village’s sewer system, incompatibility with local zoning laws and a restrictive covenant governing the site.
Millerton village trustee Katie Cariello is among the local voices of opposition to the facility, sharing in a statement that she condemns the proposed detention center.
Dutchess County Legislator Chris Drago, D-19, also opposes the plans. “We must stop the development of an ICE detention center right in our backyard,” he said, in a statement. “With the horrific news continuing to come out of Minneapolis, we need to continue to make our voices heard and protect our neighbors.”
New York Senator Michelle Hinchey also denounced the plans. “The ‘warehousing’ language used by your agency to describe the detainment of human beings, and the subsequent mission of this proposal, is dehumanizing, abhorrent, and signals clearly the way your administration views American citizens and immigrants alike,” Hinchey said in a statement directed at the President.
She called the proposed facility a threat to the safety, values, and economic stability of Chester and the broader Hudson Valley community.
More than 20,000 people have signed a petition opposing the proposed facility in Chester that is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan, whose district includes Dutchess County, according to a statement from his office issued Thursday, Jan. 29.
The Jan. 8 public notice was required by an executive order dating back to President Jimmy Carter’s administration pertaining to floodplain management. The plan includes changes to the building’s interior, installation of a guard building, an outdoor recreation area, utility and stormwater improvements, and fence line changes, according to the public notice.
The proposed facility in Chester is part of a larger plan to adapt warehouses and industrial sites across the country into facilities that would hold more than 80,000 people total in a hub and spoke model meant to improve the efficiency of ICE’s deportation system, according to an ongoing Washington Post investigation originally published in December citing internal DHS documents.
Additional reporting by Aly Morrissey.
