Pulver enters race for District 19 legislative seat

Pulver enters race for District 19 legislative seat
Lifelong Pine Plains resident Tonya Pulver is testing the political waters by announcing her candidacy for Dutchess County District 19 legislator. She is seeking the seat her husband, Gregg Pulver, lost in 2023 to current incumbent Chris Drago.
Photo provided

PINE PLAINS — Inspired by her husband’s decade-long stint in the Dutchess County legislature, Republican Tonya Pulver has declared her candidacy for his former seat in District 19, which serves North East, Millerton, and Pine Plains — among other areas.

“I guess politics is all I have ever known,” said Pulver, who cited the civic accomplishments of her mother, a former longtime Pine Plains town board member, and her husband, Gregg, now the assistant county executive of Dutchess, as her impetus for entering the political arena. “I am all about helping wherever I can,” Pulver said. “I have decided to run for District 19 legislature because I have a lot to offer and I feel the constituents of this district deserve to have a choice.”

Pulver, a lifelong Pine Plains resident, is a graduate of Dutchess Community College and Marist College, where she earned a master’s degree in school psychology. She has been employed by the Millbrook Central School District since 1999, and is currently the school psychologist at Alden Place Elementary School.

While she is a first-time candidate for public office, her résumé includes community-based activities such as serving on the board of the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, volunteering with a Siberian Husky rescue organization, acting as the director of the Free to be Me camp — a sleep-away camp for children affected by Tourette’s Syndrome — and current membership in the Pine Plains Lions Club.

Pulver’s opponent is Democratic incumbent Chris Drago, who defeated Gregg Pulver in the District 19 race in 2023. Drago is currently running for reelection and has expressed concerns on divided loyalties, should Tonya Pulver succeed in being elected. “The county legislature is meant to provide oversight of the county executive’s office,” said Drago in a March 12 email to supporters. “We need independent voices, not conflicts of interest waiting to happen.”

Latest News

Legal Notices - May 21, 2026

Legal Notices - May 21, 2026

Legal Notice

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company Name: Bluestem Fieldworks LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on March 6, 2026 Office Location: Dutchess County, NY. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less

Classifieds - May 21, 2026

Classifieds - May 21, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

DENTAL ASSISTANT, Part Time: Tuesday to Friday, for exclusive private practice in Sharon, CT. Flexible schedule and hours, competitive salary. 860-364-0200, office@
drnweeia.org.

Keep ReadingShow less
Car crash blocks traffic on Old Route 22

A white Subaru sits on Old Route 22 after a collision with a Volkswagen at the intersection of Powder House Road and Old Route 22 in Amenia on Tuesday, May 19.

Photo by Nathan Miller

AMENIA — A car crash closed the intersection of Powder House Road and Old Route 22 for an hour Tuesday, May 19.

A white Subaru and a grey Volkswagen collided on Old Route 22 shortly after 6:15 p.m. Tuesday. Dutchess County Sheriff's deputies on scene said the drivers were transported to the hospital with injuries but are in stable condition.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

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

Trade Secrets: a glamorous garden event with a deeper mission

Heavy stone garden ornaments, a specialty of Judy Milne Antiques from Kingston, at Trade Secrets 2025.

Christine Bates

Tucked away on Porter Street in downtown Lakeville, Project SAGE is an unassuming building from a street view. But cross the threshold a week before Trade Secrets — one of the region’s biggest gardening events, long associated with Martha Stewart and glamorous plants of all varieties — and you’ll find a bustling world of employees and volunteers getting ready for the organization’s most important event of the year.

“It’s not usually like this,’ laughed Project SAGE director Kristen van Ginhoven. “But with Trade Secrets just around the corner, it’s definitely like this.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Two artists, two Hartford stages, one shared life

Caroline Kinsolving and Gary Capozzielo at home in Salisbury with their dogs, Petruchio and Beatrice

Provided
"He played his violin, I worked on my lines, we walked the dog, and suddenly we were circling each other perfectly."
Caroline Kinsolving

Actor Caroline Kinsolving and violinist Gary Capozziello enjoy their quiet life with their two dogs in Salisbury, yet are often pulled apart to perform on distant stages in far-flung cities. Currently, the planets have aligned, and both are working in Hartford, across Bushnell Park from one another. Bridgewater native Kinsolving is starring in “Circus Fire,” the current production of TheaterWorks Hartford, while Capozziello is a violinist and assistant concertmaster of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. While Kinsolving hates being away from home, she feels the distance nourishes their relationship.

“We are guardians of each other’s confidence and self-esteem,” she said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Summer exhibition opens at Wassaic Project

Nate King, “When I Was Younger And Now That I’m Older,” 2026, Digital projection, digital animation, photography.

photo courtesy Nate King

The Wassaic Project, the 8,000-square-foot, seven-story former grain elevator transformed into a vibrant arts space, opens its 2026 Summer Exhibition, “Because, now is the time of monsters,” on Saturday, May 16, from 3-6 p.m. at Maxon Mills, launching a season-long presentation featuring 39 artists working across installation, performance, video and sculpture.

The opening celebration will include an afternoon of exhibitions and live programming throughout the historic mill building and its surrounding spaces. Gallery and Art Nest hours run from 12-6 p.m., with special presentations scheduled throughout the day.

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.