A change in leadership on Pine Plains Town Board

PINE PLAINS — After listening carefully to candidates about their vision for the town’s future, Pine Plains voters were eager to get out to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 2, to cast their ballots in this year’s election.

Incumbent Democratic town Supervisor Darrah Cloud ran for her third term in office against political newcomer, Pine Plains Hose Co. Fire Chief Brian Walsh, who campaigned and won under the Republican party line.

For the two Town Board positions, one-term Councilman Matthew Zick (NOP) ran for a second four-year term in office; he was cross-endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Two newcomers competed a spot on the Town Board. Republican Robert Ambrose earned the second spot, while Democrat Diana Woolis lost the race.

Current Town Justice David Humeston ran uncontested for his second four-year term in office under both the Democratic and Republican party lines.

Assessor Lynda Wisdo likewise campaigned for her second four-year term unchallenged; she was previously elected in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of former Assessor Robert Cordella.

Polls were open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Pine Plains Town Hall on Route 199.

BOE unofficial results

According to the unofficial election results posted on the Dutchess County Board of Elections (BOE) website, www.elections.dutchessny.gov, late Tuesday evening, Nov. 2, 779 ballots were cast in the town of Pine Plains.

Out of those, Walsh received 410 votes to helm the Town Board, while Cloud received 349 votes. There was one write-in ballot cast.

While he stressed the results aren’t official yet and there are still absentee ballots to be counted, Walsh said, “I appreciate all the support by the townspeople and everyone that backed me.”

“I’m incredibly disappointed,” Cloud said. “I had so many projects going forward that have taken four years to get to this critical point and I wanted to continue for one more term to see them to fruition.”

For the two open seats on the Town Board, Zick received the plurality of votes at 644, followed by Ambrose with 406 votes while Woolis garnered 334.

“I’m very happy that the voters decided to stick with me for another four years,” Zick said. “I’m happy to be elected and excited to see what these next four years bring.”

Humeston was elected to another term as town justice with 679 votes while Wisdo was elected to another term as assessor with 668 votes.

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