Pulver appointed to comptroller post by O’Neil

PINE PLAINS —  “Everybody has a ‘use by’ date, and apparently mine was up,” County Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver (R-Pine Plains) said of his Nov. 7 failed bid for a sixth term representing New York’s 19th Legislative District. 

His fellow Republican County Executive William F.X. O’Neil didn’t agree and so tapped Pulver to fill the spot left by County Comptroller Robin Lois, who has been named New York state deputy comptroller.

Noting that he lost the election to Democrat Chris Drago by 60 votes, Pulver said: “I don’t think it’s a mandate either way. I don’t think it’s a mandate that I did a bad job or a mandate that I did a great job. I did a good job. It’s just things change.”

One pleasant change is a boost from the chairman’s salary of $34,967 to $112,480 as comptroller.

Referencing the election loss, Pulver chuckled and said: “That certainly wasn’t the intent.  I served for a lot of years for a lot less money and it’s certainly not entered into the equation. It pays what it pays. And the county executive asked me if I’d be interested and I said, ‘Sure.’”

If the offer hadn’t come along, Pulver — who, in addition to running the family farm and trucking business, has been in public service since he was elected to the school board in 1994 and a member of ski patrol for 40 years — said he “probably would have skied more.” But being semi-retired, he said will be “happy to have something to occupy my time.”

Pulver’s appointment must  now be approved by the county Legislature during a vote Monday, Dec. 18. Because he will still be in charge of that body at that time, he said the county attorney is currently checking on the legality of chairing the oversight of his own election.

No matter the outcome of that decision, Pulver said: “I would not vote on my own confirmation. I don’t think I would need to. I’ll abstain if I’m in the chair.”

Pulver’s tenure as comptroller would begin Dec. 31, 2023, and continue through Dec. 31, 2024. A November 2024 election would be needed to complete Lois’ four-year term.

At this time, Pulver hasn’t decided what the future will bring: “I look forward to the challenge and to do the best job, and I’ll decide in a few weeks whatever it’s something I want to do and run for next year or not…looking at the politics. We’ll go on from there.”

In a statement from his office, O’Neil said he was, “pleased to be able to appoint Gregg Pulver to the Comptroller position for a seamless transition.”

He continued: “For decades, Gregg Pulver has committed himself to service to the residents of Dutchess County, and I’m proud to appoint him as our next County Comptroller. Gregg has gained invaluable experience and insight into the financial operations and management of government — as a school board member, town supervisor, and as a County legislator — and he’ll bring that expertise into this new role, to the benefit of our residents. We are fortunate to have someone with a proven track record of conservative fiscal stewardship overseeing this vital role.”

In the same statement, Pulver said: “I am incredibly honored to have the opportunity to serve the residents of Dutchess County as the next Comptroller. This position comes with a critical responsibility to defend and protect our tax-dollars, and it is not something I take lightly. I thank Robin Lois for her years of service to Dutchess County and I look forward to working with her as we each take on these new positions. I thank County Executive O’Neil for his confidence in my ability, as I have long appreciated our successful history of working together.”