On the August agenda is the annual decision as to whether to admit specific properties to the county’s Agricultural District. Red Hook has two properties under consideration this year.

The first is a 4.82 acre property at 243 Feller Newmark Rd. owned by Brian Denu. The second is a 4.22 acre property in the Village of Red Hook at 25 Fisk St. owned by Paul Sturtz (and Polina Malikin). Both properties were recommended for addition by the county’s Agricultural Farmland Protection board based on their soils and ability to contribute to agriculture in general.

Admission to the district, in conjunction with an ag assessment (a separate, unrelated process), would give the property owners protection against local laws that “unreasonably restrict farm operations”. It also aims to protect the right of farmers to engage in “sound agricultural practices,” which are defined as practices that do not cause bodily harm or property damage off the farm.

The village property, located on the NE corner of Fisk and Elizabeth across the street from the VFW, has been the focus of some controversy over the past year as the owners have tried to expand their operations and the village has worked to update its zoning to cover farm operations.

The property owner feels that the village has not done enough to work with them, that they have been singled out, and that without this designation, they will be unable to achieve their goals. Some of the neighbors have signed a letter in support of the change.

The Red Hook village board has submitted a letter opposing the inclusion, with the Mayor expressing her concern that while the farm’s current operations may be compatible with and supported by the neighborhood, future expansion could be detrimental if the village were no longer able to regulate it.

The final decision will be made Monday at 6:30 pm in the Dutchess County Legislature.

If you have any thoughts on this or anything else, do not hesitate to reach out and let me know.

Last week, I had two meetings with local activists focused on clean water and the issues at the Village’s wastewater treatment plant, as well as any future expansions. We discussed how the county might be able to assist with testing, guidance, and other needs.

The Saw Kill Watershed Community (SWKC) presented water testing results from various locations around Red Hook. The group discussion suggested that waste levels in the streams near the treatment plant are dropping. The village has reported that the facility’s discharges have returned to compliance.

There are still concerns about whether any contaminants at the brownfield that hosts the treatment plant have migrated and how storm runoff at the location could impact that. Many questions and not many answers so far.

While the state is primarily responsible for implementing, overseeing, and enforcing environmental regulations, the county has its own Water and Wastewater Authority that manages treatment plans and water systems. They took over the Tivoli system a few years ago.

The county administration has still not provided the Q2 EMS numbers that were promised over two weeks ago. We continue to request them.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, reach out anytime.

The fiscal update provided on Thursday shows our tax revenues are close to the numbers projected in our budget. There was also a lot of discussion of the new Federal budget and its potential impact on the state and our county. A lot of the local fiscal impacts will depend on how much of the burden Dutchess County is asked to share. But millions of dollars are at stake.

We have not yet received the Q2 EMS data we were promised. As you might recall, we approved $2M to help reduce ambulance response times. So far, the results have been disappointing for our area, but hopefully, the second quarter numbers will have some good news for us.

If you want to attend Monday’s full board meeting, it begins at 6:30 pm on Monday at 22 Market St, 6th floor.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, reach out anytime.

As I prepare for our July meetings, I thought I’d flag a couple of interesting items on the agenda.

Aside from the usual appointments to various volunteer committees and routine paperwork, we have the Dutchess Community College (DCC) budget, a fiscal update from the county, and, hopefully, a breakdown of the Q2 EMS numbers.

The DCC budget is expected to be approved, and the county’s contribution (~$17.5M) will remain flat year-over-year as rising enrollments (up 12%) and residence hall commitments (up 20%) have helped buoy the college’s fiscal position. Tuition will rise 5% to $5,250, which is still lower than the surrounding counties.

Thursday night, we will receive a fiscal update from the county administration detailing how our sales tax receipts and expenditures are matching up against our budget and tax projections. At last look, sales tax was lagging a bit behind what the administration had projected. And with the disastrous Federal budget that was just passed by Trump and the GOP, we can expect harsh budget seas ahead.

We have also been told to expect a first look at the Q2 EMS data. As you might recall, we approved $2M to help reduce ambulance response times. So far, the results have been disappointing for our area but hopefully the second quarter numbers have some good news for us.

If you want to attend the committee meetings, they begin at 5:30 pm on Thursday at 22 Market St, 6th floor. The full board meeting begins at 6:30 pm on Monday.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, reach out anytime.

I want to thank everyone who came out to support me, those who contributed to the campaign, and those who gave their time to share our message and help get out the vote. There are too many to name here, and many will not want public recognition, but thank you.

I’m honored that the voters have chosen me to represent them on the Democratic line this November. I’m looking forward to taking some time off to relax and recharge before the general election campaign begins.

And, of course, continuing to represent our community in the Dutchess County Legislature.

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, is a significant holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the date in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed enslaved African Americans that they were free, over two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, it was not enforced in many Confederate states still in rebellion. Texas, remote and less monitored by Union forces, remained largely untouched until Major General Gordon Granger and his troops arrived in Galveston and issued General Order No. 3. This order declared the end of slavery and affirmed the equality of the formerly enslaved and slaveholders under the law.

The first Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 and quickly became a tradition among African American communities, particularly in Texas. These events often included prayer services, family gatherings, music, and readings of the Emancipation Proclamation. Over the decades, Juneteenth evolved into a broader celebration of African American culture, resilience, and progress.

Juneteenth was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States in 2021, a long-overdue acknowledgment of its historical and cultural importance. Today, it serves as a moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of slavery, celebrate Black freedom and achievements, and renew the commitment to justice and equality for all.

Once again, our nation is shaken by political violence with the shootings in Minnesota.

We live in an environment where President Trump pardoned violent insurrectionists: people who attacked and injured law enforcement officers while storming the Capitol on January 6. This can create a permission structure for others to act, thinking they will be rewarded.

As a public official, I am no stranger to threats, both veiled and explicit. But those who choose a life of public service must continue their work and not reward those who resort to violence.

My heart goes out to those injured and the families of all those affected.

One of the best parts of being a county legislator is helping people.

You may have received one of my small refrigerator magnets over the years – I’ve mailed out thousands and handed out thousands more. Perhaps you got one in the mail when you moved to the district or registered to vote.

I receive calls and texts every month from people with a variety of concerns, ranging from speeding on county roads to how close to the property line one can place a shed, to Central Hudson billing issues, to problems with Medicaid. If it’s not a county issue, I can usually direct you to someone who can help and leverage my established relationships with other elected officials to expedite the process.

One of the more common questions I get is about cell service dead zones—specifically, the dead zone between Red Hook and Rhinebeck. The county doesn’t control the location of commercial cell towers, but I recently created this video about a new development that may be the end of that dead zone between the towns:

My endorsements are from true progressives, my colleagues, unions, and the Working Families Party.

Excited to announce two more union endorsements: CWA 1120 (Communication Workers of America) and NYSNA (the New York State Nurses Association)

Yesterday, I joined members of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) and other supporters for a rally at the Rhinebeck Post Office. The Republicans want to sell off our postal system and privatize it. “Don’t believe the lies… Don’t let them privatize!”

Pride Month is a powerful celebration of love, identity, and the ongoing struggle for equality. Each June, communities around the world come together to honor the LGBTQ+ individuals who have fought and continue to fight for visibility, rights, and dignity. It is a time to remember the bravery of activists at Stonewall, the resilience of those who lived through discrimination and silence, and the triumphs of today’s leaders, artists, and everyday heroes who proudly live as their authentic selves.

Pride is more than parades and rainbows; it is a call to action. It reminds us that equal rights are not guaranteed; they are earned through courage, advocacy, and solidarity. Pride Month is an invitation to educate, to listen, and to stand with our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors not only in celebration but in continued commitment to justice and inclusion.

I am proud to have been one of the many advocates and supporters of LGBTQ+ rights. Please consider joining in or attending one of the many celebrations of Pride Month in our area.