Tyler Irish challenges Surman for legislative District 24

DOVER —  Democrat Tyler Irish is running to be the newest Dutchess County legislator in District 24, which encompasses Dover and the northern half of Union Vale.

“I love this town and I have been working hard,” he said of Dover, “and want to make this region a great place to live long before I decided to run for the County Legislature.”

Irish is president of Solutions For A Better Dover, having been active in running its Farmers Market. He’s also helped rehabilitate a small park in Wingdale and actively promoted local businesses through the shop local initiative and Support Harlem Valley Businesses During the COVID-19 Pandemic campaign. Irish also serves on the Board of the Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce, a co-sponsor of the Support Harlem Valley Businesses campaign.

“I am running to represent District 24 because this area is in desperate need of accountable representation,” he said. “Our region is experiencing a housing crisis that has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our residents are facing rising costs of living and a lack of equitable career opportunities. With a class ‘D’ air-quality rating, limited access to essential services and a broken healthcare system, the well-being of our people is at stake.”

Ready to take on such challenges, Irish said he’s prepared to fight for the services the region needs and to stand up for northeastern Dutchess County.

He said many residents may not be aware of the important issues that come before the Legislature. They may not even know who represents them in county government or how their representatives vote on issues that impact them.

“District 24 has been represented by the same person since 2009, yet 99% of the people I have spoken to in our district have never had any contact with our legislator, and have never received any correspondence from him about how he has voted on the key issues facing our county,” said Irish.

Believing that representatives should have open communication with their constituents, regularly informing them about important issues and decisions being made at the county level, Irish added, “I  will  listen to my neighbors and represent their issues before the Legislature.

“I am not a politician,” he said. “I am a husband who wants to see our community thrive.  I am a son and grandson who wants to bring much-needed services to our area.  I am a house painter who wants to help bring more opportunity to our region. I am a concerned citizen who is ready to bring accountable representation back to District 24.”