Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Hutnik challenges Houston for District 25

AMENIA — Challenging incumbent Deirdre Houston (R-25) for a seat in the Dutchess County Legislature, is newcomer Danny Hutnik of Amenia. He is running on the Democratic and Working Families ticket for the two-year position. Although he’s relatively new to the area, he has strong feelings about the community, its residents and its needs.

“Our community is struggling yet our current legislator voted against directing American Rescue Funds to communities where the pandemic hit Dutchess County hardest, right here in District 25,” said Hutnik.

He wants better government for citizens on all fronts, including improved education. He’d also like to see better access to quality health care, both physical and mental healthcare basics.

Working as a New York State Education Department Social Worker, he is a member of the United Federation of Teachers. He works with children in pre-k through high school.

“I am running on protecting our children’s future through quality education and care in schools,” said Hutnik. “I’m working with school leaders to provide  better social, emotional learning supports and training for educators and counselors that will  give them new skill sets for working with our children.”

He added that “County government should be helping those  who have been most impacted by the pandemic — struggling families and small businesses. With the right leadership we can turn this crisis around and build back a stronger economy and community.”

Hutnik has strong views on housing and doesn’t think people should have to choose between where they work and where they live when deciding on jobs and living situations.

He also believes residents should have a voice in how funds are spent on infrastructure, including water and sewer, as well as roads and broadband access.

Most of all, he would like to help close the gap between the haves and the have-nots, believing that fair taxation allows everyone to enjoy a better quality of  life. He said District 25’s municipalities of Millbrook/Washington, Amenia and part of Pleasant Valley are no exception.

Hutnik has been busy campaigning and has gotten to see firsthand the needs of District 25 while visiting a number of local food pantries, charity drives and fundraisers.

Originally from New York City, Hutnik and his husband now reside in Amenia.

Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Pauline King Garfield

Pauline King Garfield

EAST CANAAN — Pauline K. (King) Garfield, 94 of 77 South Canaan Rd. formerly of East Canaan, died Sunday May 24, 2026, at Geer Village.She was the wife of the late Duane Garfield who passed August 14, 2017. Pauline was born April 3, 1932 in North Canaan, CT in the former Geer Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Rose (Van Vlack) King.

Pauline spent her career at Becton Dickinson in Canaan, after being a stay-at-home mother for many years.She was employed at Becton Dickinson for 23 years. She enjoyed bus trips with her late husband Duane to the Casinos, spending time with her family watching the grandchildren grow up. Recently she made a comment to care givers that was “wait until I see that husband of mine for leaving me here, I am going to read him the riot act.” Over the years she enjoyed many crafts, but her favorite was crocheting gifts for everyone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wassaic Project opens new gallery space in historic Gridley Chapel
Samuelle Green turned paper, wire, and glue into a honeycombed hive at Wassaic Project’s Maxon Mills in Wassaic.
Photo by Graham Corrigan

WASSAIC — The Wassaic Project started its 2026 season in style on Saturday, May 16, with an exhibition that featured 39 artists whose work was showcased at its flagship Maxon Mills location and plans for its new space at Gridley Chapel.

The chapel, which was erected in 1873 and is located across the street from Maxon Mills, is a recent addition to the Wassaic Project.

Keep ReadingShow less

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Let's hear it - May 28, 2026

Last Week’s Question

What is one change you’d make to your town center to make it more welcoming?

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Memorial Day paraders brave wet weather

A ceremonial firing party honored fallen soldiers at Millerton’s American Legion on Route 44 on Monday, May 25. Legion representatives originally planned a parade down Millerton’s Main Street and a ceremony at the Veterans Park monument in front of the Methodist Church, but rain forced the events inside at American Legion Post 178.

Photo by Nathan Miller

Wet weather this past Memorial Day weekend cast a hazy drizzle over much of northeast Dutchess County, forcing holiday ceremonies inside in Millerton and Amenia.

Pine Plains and Millbrook pushed on with parades in those towns, attracting thronging crowds to Main Streets to mourn and reflect on the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.

Keep ReadingShow less
A blessing for pets — and a lifeline for their health
Lazarus, a Eurasian eagle owl, poses with Dr. Laura, his longtime handler. The rescue raptor — known as the event’s “wow factor” for his striking presence and six-foot wingspan — will appear as the Raptor Ambassador at Rhinebeck’s Blessing of the Animals.
provided

For many pet owners, animals are family. On Saturday, May 30, that bond will be celebrated in a uniquely practical and heartfelt way when the Blessing of the Animals returns to Third Lutheran Evangelical Church in Rhinebeck alongside a free rabies vaccination clinic hosted by Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.

The event, scheduled from noon to 4 p.m., is free for Dutchess County residents and open to dogs, cats and domestic ferrets three months and older. While the clinic itself provides an important public health service, organizers say the day has become about much more than vaccinations.

Keep ReadingShow less

Growing community

Growing community

Sheila Srere, left, and Cathy Fenn plant flowers in a small island at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail’s intersection with Main Street in Millerton on Thursday, May 21.

Photo by Nathan Miller

A band of volunteers planted flowers across downtown Millerton on Thursday, May 21, as part of local group Townscape's annual beautification efforts. Community members from across northeast Dutchess County came together to plant flowers at Millerton's veterans memorial monument in front of the United Methodist Church on Main Street and in planters and flower beds along Main Street down to the intersection with Route 22.


Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.