Pine Plains Forum: Questions, candidates, and a list of wishes

PINE PLAINS —  The long table at the candidates event on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Pine Plains Free Library held places for 12 candidates, starting with the two candidates for Dutchess County Legislature: incumbent Republican Gregg Pulver and Democrat Chris Drago.

Town Board candidates Jeanine Sisco and Kevin Walsh, both Democrats, were in line with Republican contenders Paul Murphy and Jim Smith. For the position of town justice, there was Democrat Stella Isaza and Republican Rich Brenner. Also present were Republican Lisa Ambrose and Democrat incumbent Carl Baden, who are running for highway superintendent; and Town Supervisor Brian Walsh and Town Clerk Madeline DaFoe, who are both running unopposed. The two Walshes are not related.

Over 100 people filled the library’s Community Room at the Pine Plains Library for the forum. The sponsors were The Millerton News and The New Pine Plains Herald. Ryan Orton of Stanford moderated the program.

Supervisor Walsh and DaFoe indicated that they are happy with their work, and will continue to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. The candidates had a brief time to introduce themselves; this was followed by questions from the audience and the forum ended with closing statements from each of the candidates.

Sisco and Kevin Walsh are longtime residents, and both have raised families in Pine Plans. They jointly agree that they will preserve the rural and historic character of the town; conserve open space; protect and promote agriculture; create housing options for young families and seniors in particular; and will promote employment, small business and transportation options. Also, they would like to relocate Town Hall to the center of town, and will look into the possibility of a central septic system.

Murphy is a 50-year resident of Pine Plains who wants to see programs for youth and seniors expanded. He’d also look into ways to help businesses thrive and grow, as well as into affordable housing. He would also preserve the rural aspect of the town.

Murphy and Smith are proponents of fiscal responsibility, believing government should be run as an any other business: with a budget, plans and long-range goals. Smith is pro-solar, believing that solar energy is what is in the future, and he sees the benefits in it, having faith that the zoning board will make sure everything is done appropriately.

Isaza has experience as a practicing attorney for more than 28 years, having served as a criminal defense attorney, and is a former assistant corporation counsel for the City of Poughkeepsie. Living in Pine Plains for more than 20 years, she is a member and former president of the Pine Plains Lions Club, and is a member of the New York Bar Association and the Dutchess County Bar Association. 

As a defense attorney, she looked for fair sentencing including alternatives to incarceration when suitable. She has handled cases in housing, domestic violence, and matrimonial and family law, and speaks fluent Spanish.

Brenner is in real estate, but feels that one doesn’t need a law degree to be a town justice. His experience includes 25 years in law enforcement as a deputy sheriff and investigator, and working with the district attorney’s office. 

Serving in the Pine Plains Hose Company as well as a member of the town and school boards have given him the experience to make good judgment calls. He’d rather see mistakes corrected than repeated, and rehabilitation rather than punishment.

“Pine Plains is my home and the community is my family,” said Baden. He has learned a lot over that past four years, has built up relationships, honed the skills of himself and his crews, and wants to continue to use that experience to make the roads in Pine Plains safer under all circumstances.

Ambrose has stated that she will give up her current job to be full-time at the highway department if elected. A 20-year Pine Plains resident, Ambrose is a volunteer firefighter, and said that she plans to work side by side with the maintenance crews, and will strive to work with surrounding areas and the New York State Department of Transportation in bad weather and emergency situations.

The majority of the questions were for Pulver and Drago. Pulver is serving his sixth one-year term as chairman, and has served in the Legislature since 2014. A farmer by trade, Pulver said he enjoys doing what he does, and helping people. When asked about an accomplishments in the Legislature, he mentioned the Dutchess County Stabilization Center in Poughkeepsie. He worked with Legislator Will Truitt to pass a countywide animal abuse registry law as well as passing an anti-tethering law. He worked with Assemblymember Didi Barrett and others on obtaining the Mobile Health Unit RV.

Drago, feels that the current leadership is not working, mishandling tax dollars and not meeting basic needs of constituents in northern Dutchess County. He is particularly upset by the $25 million renovation of the Dutchess Stadium. 

He will work toward obtaining better emergency and mental health services, and  wants better cell coverage and a climate-ready infrastructure. A native son, Drago said he is a business leader, and has his finger on the pulse of what the county needs. He wants to keep Dutchess County affordable and keep young people here.