The November 3 election will present Shandaken voters with choices for two town council seats and two assessor positions. Current town supervisor Rob Stanley is unopposed in the coming vote.
For town council, the Republicans are backing Don Brewer and Russell Roefs, the Democrats nominated Gael Alba and Pete DiSclafani, and the Conservatives selected Randy Ostrander. Assessor candidates are Fionna Tanzillo and Dave Channon for the Democrats, Jeff Feldman and John Horn for the Republicans. Also running unopposed are town clerk Joyce Grant, and highway superintendent Eric Hofmeister.
This week we interviewed two council candidates. Next week we’ll present the other three, and the following week the four people running for assessor will be heard.
Peter DiSclafani – Democratic candidate for town council
Why are you running?
I served as supervisor in 2008-2009, and I was on the town board before that. I enjoyed problem-solving and brainstorming with the other members of the board. I really think I can help and can offer ideas that are good.
What are your qualifications and your background?
I’ve run a restaurant in Mount Tremper, the Catskill Rose, since 1987. I joined the ambulance squad as a driver six years ago, and I’ve been a volunteer fireman since 2000. I have a good fiscal understanding of the town and of running a business. I care greatly about the town, as most people who live here do. There are times to put your foot forward and do something, and I think it’s my time again.
What do you see as the major issues facing Shandaken?
As major issues come up, they do get attention. The streams are getting taken care of — that’s a big plus, which should’ve been attended to a few years ago. Finances are doing okay. Rob [Stanley] has found grants for Phoenicia Water — that really needs attention. I don’t know how or why part of that got missed. There’s a deficit of $40,000 to $50,000 I’ve heard about that maybe Phoenicia will have to bond out. It’s not insurmountable.
What’s your thought about the local railroad versus the county rail trail?
I love the idea of having a bike trail coming up from Kingston and going all way through Shandaken to Belleayre. I’d love to see if it’s at all possible to do both rail and trail together. Back before I was a councilman, I got on committees when the county was trying to devise a way to do rail-with-trail. A feasibility study ten years ago found there are parts of the corridor that can be both trail and rail. That possibility should be tapped. I think more recreation off of the main road is a really good thing. A lot of railroad people purport that there a lot of trails already, but on many of them you have to be a mountain climber. I wish the Catskill Mountain Railroad all the best in their ongoing negotiations with the county. They have been a fine asset in Shandaken.
How do you see Shandaken’s relationship with New York City and the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)?
While was in government, I never had a problem with the DEP. I have to deal with them every time I change my septic, and last year when I put in a swimming pool. They’re a huge machine that isn’t always the most efficient, but I never had a personal problem with them. I don’t have negative feelings toward the DEP.
What do you think of the proposed Belleayre Resort?
We all know it’s been approved by the state. As long as they follow the laws of the town, everything’s going to be copacetic, and if they work with the town, don’t see that it’s going to be a problem.
Is there anything that needs changing in the town?
Considering budget constraints, the tax base and all that, things are going okay. In my business, sometimes things happen fast, and decisions have to be made quickly, but with town government, things need to be thought out, lots of different ideas thrown around and considered. A thoughtful approach needs to be taken.
Donald Brewer – Republican candidate for town council
Why are you running?
I’ve had mentors through the years who taught me that to be a professional in a community means to take a stand and be a leader. I was on the town council in Rosendale in the 1980s when I lived there. I was a committeeman in Woodstock a couple years. Now that I live out here, I’m chair of the planning board and involved with the SAFARI committee to come up with solutions for flood zone areas. I was on the committee for NY Rising to figure out how to use monies offered by the state to improve the town. I think on the town council I’ll be able to help even more. I was in my twenties back in Rosendale, and I liked investigating issues I was going to vote on, why I was going to vote yes or no. I look forward to doing that again now that I’m 60 and smarter.
What are your qualifications and your background?
I’ve been in surveying since I was 14, and I’ve had my own land surveying business for 27 years, after working for other surveyors. I had an office in Kingston with eight employees, but I scaled back when the economy declined. I like surveying mountains better than bridges and roads. When I worked for Ulster County, I drew the first tax maps for the Town of Shandaken. As a certified flood manager, I try to help people in flood-prone areas and help with flood insurance rates. At SUNY Ulster, I designed the curriculum for land surveying, and now you can get a two-year degree in it. I teach there a couple days a week. Tess and I married ten years ago — we each had 5 children, and they all get along like they’ve been together all their lives.
What do you see as the major issues facing Shandaken?
The economy — the town’s hurting, and I would like to figure out ways of improving that without compromising the character of the town. We were recently able to change residential zoning on the main drag of Pine Hill to business zoning so people can open up shops. I foresee specialty shops in our hamlets — fly fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing shops. I would also strengthen existing businesses that have been fighting it out all these years in this economy. I started a business leadership breakfast on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Alamo Cantina in Phoenicia. Businesspeople come in and discuss problems and things that have worked for them. It’s a good way of networking. Next we’re going to put together a mentoring program for youth. They don’t have much to do in our community, but businesses like mine are going to need someone to take over.
What’s your thought about the local railroad versus the county rail trail?
I don’t understand why the county doesn’t entertain the rail-with-trail idea. I understand they already have the monies budgeted for the rail being taken out, but the railroad has been a huge part of our history here. People have gone to great lengths to recreate the feeling of the old railroad, taking a lot of time out of their schedules to maintain it and run the whole thing, so I would not like to see that taken away from our town. Their lease is up next year for this area, so it’ll be an issue.
How do you see Shandaken’s relationship with New York City?
I know a lot of people who work for the DEP. I respect a lot of them, and there are a few that assume more authority than they actually have. It seems like they bully our citizens around when it’s not necessary. I’d like to help out in those situations. There’s room for a good working relationship, but at same time we can make a stand for home rule.
What do you think of the proposed Belleayre Resort?
I’m still chair of the planning board, so I’m not supposed to take sides. I have to listen to both sides, and I enjoy doing that. Sometimes I play devil’s advocate with both sides to make sure we have all the bases covered. An economic boost [from the resort] would be great as long as it didn’t compromise the nature of our town, and as long as they’re following all the town regulations.
Is there anything that needs changing in the town?
In recent years, the town’s been running pretty smoothly, but because of the economy hitting our area especially hard, a lot of people have lost hope that I would like to help bring back.
Next week, talks with town board candidates, Republican Russell Roefs and Democrat Gael Alba.
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