AMENIA — In the midst of the ongoing affordability crisis, Amenia’s upcoming town meeting on Thursday, Sept. 17, will double as an affordability fair.
Organized by local politicians and businesses, the fair will bring residents and local businesses together to highlight discounts already available in the community.
“These are existing programs that have not found their way to Amenia in a fulsome way,” said County Legislator Eric Alexander. “It’s my job to make sure that my constituents are aware of and have easy access to these programs.”
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., residents can learn about property tax relief, free services for seniors, low cost veterinary services, prescription drug savings, grocery discounts, utility bill discounts, and more. Attendees are encouraged to bring their utility bills to the fair.
Alexander has organized the fair alongside State Sen. Michelle Hinchey, Assemblyman Anil Beephan, and Dutchess County Legislature Chair Yvette Valdés Smith. Participating organizations and businesses include Freshtown, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs, and Hudson Valley Animal Rescue.
Representatives and elected officials will be on-site to answer questions and assist with applications.
The fair aims to address what Alexander sees as a lack of awareness in Amenia. On a per-capita basis, Pleasant Valley residents are five times more likely than Amenia residents to request free home-delivered meals, case management, and health insurance counseling.
Closing that gap has become more urgent as household budgets tighten.
Alexander also notes that the high prices aren’t just driven by local factors. The conflict in Iran, insurance spikes, and tariffs have driven up the cost of many household items. Wages and Social Security have not kept pace — and Alexander says relief from high prices is still a ways off.
“The purpose of this event is to help people start saving money now,” he said, “and be prepared for what lies ahead.”
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