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Ward 8 community organizer announces run for council, urges 'Invest in our New York' and Know‑Your‑Rights outreach
Summary
Daniel Tona, a Ward 8 resident and community organizer, announced his candidacy for the Poughkeepsie Common Council Ward 8 seat, described endorsements and urged the city to publish Know‑Your‑Rights material after recent ICE activity in the region.
Poughkeepsie — Daniel Tona, a union member and community organizer who said he was raised in Ward 8, told the Common Council during public comment on Sept. 9 that he is the Democratic nominee for the Ward 8 council seat and called for local advocacy on immigration enforcement, taxation and public services.
Tona said he attended several recent community events and urged the city to publicly share ‘‘Know Your Rights’’ information in light of recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the region. He cited a 2017 Common Council declaration that Poughkeepsie is a "safe city," meaning local police should not stop, question, arrest or hold someone solely on the basis of immigration status, and asked the city to use its newsletter and social channels to inform residents of their constitutional protections.
Tona also urged the New York State Legislature to adopt the Invest in Our New York package to tax the wealthy and fund services including healthcare, housing and lead‑pipe replacement. He identified endorsements by the Dutchess County Comptroller Dan Amar Blair and the Dutchess County Central Labor Council, and encouraged Ward 8 voters to contact him with questions about his campaign.
Tona's comment combined a campaign announcement with policy advocacy; no formal council response or action was taken at the meeting.
