Diane Pineiro-Zucker is reporting for the Daily Freeman Dutchess County Legislator Joel Tyner stepped down early Jan. 23, amid sexual harassment allegations made by the members of the Hudson Valley Feminist Collective, a closed Facebook group. Ashley Casale, an administrator of the group's Facebook page, said only that members of the group have come forward with allegations against the Clinton Democrat. Tyner posted on his Facebook page overnight: “I’ve made far too many stupid mistakes and 15 years is long enough. Time for me to step aside and let someone else serve.” Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver said he received an email from Tyner with a time stamp of 1:22 a.m. “I had no idea [it was coming],” said Pulver, a Republican who represents Pine Plains. The chairman said Tyner submitted his resignation, stating, "..It’s been my pleasure to work with you all over these last 15 years. It’s time for me to step aside, let someone else have this position ... and time for me to work on myself.” Pulver said he never previously heard of any allegations of a sexual nature against Tyner. However, Tyner’s tenure has not been without controversy. In July 2017, he was censured by his fellow lawmakers for a remark he made during a Democratic caucus. It was the first time the body had censured one of its own. Tyner was last elected in 2017 and would have been up for re-election this fall. The town boards of Rhinebeck and Clinton now have 30 days to appoint a replacement. That person will serve for the remainder of the year. Read the full story in the Daily Freeman.