COMMUNITY DRIVEN POLITICS

Local Voices

Local Action

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Candidates

  • Kevin Walsh

    Running for Town Supervisor

    Kevin is a U.S. Navy Veteran who lives, works, and has raised a family in Pine Plains.

    He served on the Pine Plains Conservation Advisory Council.

    “Pine Plains is a gemstone that needs a little polish to be a jewel.”

  • Murphy Birdsall

    Running for Town Board

    Murphy Birdsall, an off-and-on lifelong resident of Pine Plains, is running for a seat on the Pine Plains Town Board. Raised on Main Street as one of Christine Crouch's four daughters, Murphy has deep roots in the community she loves. After spending much of her professional life in the New York film business, she and her husband, Keith Reamer, returned to Pine Plains. They live with their dog, Nellie Jo, on Myrtle Avenue, across the street from the school Murphy attended, from kindergarten through 12th grade.

    She has been an active contributor to the New Pine Plains Herald, writing articles that highlight local businesses, people, and community issues. She also co-directed the documentary "Our Farms, Our Farmers," about the remaining local dairy farms.

    In addition to her filmmaking and journalism, Murphy has served on the advisory board of The Stissing Center since Memorial Hall was first purchased with the now-realized intention of creating a home for local arts and culture. She is on the board of the Little Nine Partners Historical Society, the keepers of the history of Pine Plains.

    The issues Murphy is running to effect include the revitalization of the town center; she supports relocating the town hall and finding a wastewater solution as part of this. Housing that people can afford to live in while preserving open space can be accomplished with community effort, and she will work toward furthering collaboration.

  • Trevor Roush

    Running for Town Board

    Trevor Roush grew up in Elizaville, NY and attended the Pine Plains schools from pre-k on. He graduated from Stissing Mountain High School in 2008 and went on to study at Columbia Greene Community College. Trevor was and still is an avid basketball player and heads up the Chaseholm Farm basketball team in the Pine Plains men’s league each winter.

    He has worked in agriculture since his late teens and has managed multiple local farm operations over the years. He is currently the farm manager of Black Sheep Hill Farm in Pine Plains where he lives with his wife and daughter and runs a small forestry and timber services operation called Foliage Forestry.

    Trevor has a deep passion for music and music production. He co-directs a local non-profit American roots music festival, Oldtone, which happens every fall in Hillsdale, NY. 

We Believe

Pine Plains Democrats believe in community-driven politics where democracy thrives right here at home. We champion a vision where:

  • Local voices shape our shared future

  • Every neighbor has a seat at the table

  • Solutions emerge from community wisdom

  • Leadership grows from genuine connection

  • Progress reflects our town's unique character and needs

We champion an inclusive approach where everyone's voice matters—bringing decision-making into the living rooms, farm tables, local businesses, and community spaces that form the heart of Pine Plains. Our strength comes from listening first and acting with purpose on the issues that matter most to our families, businesses, and community.

From protecting our rural character to expanding opportunity for all residents, we're committed to an inclusive governance that puts people above partisanship and community above ideology.

Building a stronger Pine Plains together—

one conversation, one initiative, and one vote at a time

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Our Platform

Conservation and Land Use

We support land use decisions that follow the town's long-range vision for balanced growth and conservation as expressed in the Comprehensive Plan. 

We promote zoning and housing policies that maintain Pine Plains' rural character and avoid sprawl, while supporting hamlet-centered growth.

We work with farmers, the CAC, land trusts, and regional environmental groups to protect working lands and natural habitats (like the Stissing Mountain ridgeline and Wappinger Creek watershed).

We are committed to transparency and will share updates, land use decisions, zoning changes, and environmental outcomes.

Farmers and Small Businesses

We advocate for farmland protection, farm-to-market programs, and access to resources that keep family farms viable.

We support an investment in broadband expansion and a central wastewater system to help local businesses grow and compete.

We support streamlining local regulations to make it easier for small businesses and farms to start, expand, and innovate.

We champion economic development that prioritizes local ownership and long-term sustainability.

We celebrate the contributions that local businesses and farmers make to the culture, economy, and future of Pine Plains.

Town Revitalization

We support improving storefronts, signage, sidewalks, and lighting to make our town center more welcoming and walkable.

We support thoughtful mixed-use and affordable housing development that allows residents to stay in Pine Plains across all stages of life.

We are committed to Pine Plains as a place where young people can afford to live, work, raise children, and shape their community.

We promote development that respects Pine Plains' rural charm while encouraging creativity and responsible design.

We support inclusive town meetings and community events that connect neighbors and build shared purpose.

Our SERVICE Pledge

The Pine Plains Comprehensive Plan is our community’s roadmap for the future—designed to protect what we value most while guiding thoughtful growth. From land use and natural resources to recreation and our local economy, this plan puts our priorities into action with a long-range vision for preservation, progress, and prosperity.

Accountability

We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. You have the right to know how the Comprehensive Plan is progressing, and the Town has a responsibility to share that information clearly and consistently—through public meetings, regular newsletters, and a user-friendly website with up-to-date details and opportunities for input.

Transparency

In addition to keeping you up-to-date on the Comprehensive plan’s annual goals, we will provide the what, when, where, and how of activities related to issues, resources, and opportunities for you and the town.

Service

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