By Matthew Avitabile
SHANDAKEN — Democratic Party hopefuls in the Town of Shandaken took part in a public forum on June 6th. Prior to the beginning of the events, several ground rules were set: that questions would be addressed to both candidates and that the public should ask questions but not general statements. Each candidate received three minutes for a closing remark.
The event at the Shandaken Town Hall was hosted by The Mid-Hudson League of Women Voters and included incumbent Supervisor Peter DiSclafani and Barbara "Babs" Mansfield, who are each seeking the party's nomination in the June 24th primary election.
DiSclafani was selected to speak first by lot and discussed coming to the area 37 years ago and running an inn with his wife. He said that he became involved in the Democratic Party locally 25 years ago before running for councilman in 2006, being elected Supervisor in 2008 and serving two years, rejoining as councilman in 2016 until 2022 before becoming the Supervisor again. He cited the Conservation Advisory Council and the new Short Term Rental Law.
He argued that the town board worked together and were "moving the town forward in a good way."
The supervisor said that he has accounting training and had taken business classes in California, which helped him in business and the town. He cited the $2.5 million town budget, including $750,000 for the ambulance service and about 75 employees. He called it a significant responsibility and that he kept the budget "in line."
Mansfield spoke next and described moving to the area in 2006 and cited volunteers in the crowd.
The candidate said that she had "witnessed a lot of really impressive volunteer and committee members." She cited helping raise $425,000 for Glenbrook Park and that she has been working toward grants for the Phoenicia Water System. She spent more than 30 years in non-profit management and argued that some of the budgets were the size of the town's.
This included "running a very efficient meeting."
"I really really look forward to working this town forward on the volunteer steam that it’s running on right now,” she said. The candidate said that she hoped to offer a “snapshot” of finances and “communication” for volunteers.
The first question was whether or not the losing candidate would run on another party line. Mansfield said no and that she had been a Democrat since she was 18.
“The answer is no,” she said.
DiScalafani said that he’s on the Working Families Line.
“I’m not sure,” he said. He was once on the Independence line “years ago” and separately has run as an independent in the past.
When asked about keeping young people in the area, DiSclafani argued that housing should be “made more affordable.”
He argued that zoning reform could be a portion of the answer.
Mansfield agreed that housing should be made more affordable, especially for emergency responders. She said this could be accomplished by “community-driven efforts.” She cited the town master plan and sought to make the town “an encouraging place to live and work for young people.” The candidate cited limited internet and cell service. She lauded Margaretville Telephone Company as a “fabulous company” expanding internet access in the area. Mansfield cited the need for expanded business to help draw and retain local people.
When asked about keeping quality emergency services, Mansfield argued that the area needed a younger population, including having less expensive housing. She cited the hope to grow hamlets through “smart growth” while keeping the scenic byway and viewshed.
DiSclafani said that Mansfield’s statement was “very true” and that he was working with Ulster County to expand the local ambulance service. He cited “so much thought and planning” being utilized to expand emergency services.
The supervisor said that manpower was a major issue, seeking young people to becoming involved in EMT services and nursing. He cited an effort in the county to expand services throughout the town. He also cited county efforts to offer up to $5 million for expanded services for “better equipment” and raising salaries to “be even across the board” to prevent larger towns from poaching employees.
When asked about the Short Term Rental Law, the supervisor said that the town was “up against the wall” due to exponential growth of these types of lodging.
The town put a cap on how many could open, then lowered it. He stated that the cap could be lowered further.
Mansfield said that she “knew a lot of residents need this income to survive” and believed that the existing rules were “pretty good.” She further said that there could be incentives for STR owners to rent longer to increase housing inventory.
There were other topics discussed during the roughly hour-long event. Mansfield endorsed a sidewalk district in Phoenicia and better drainage in Pine Hill to make it easier to walk. DiSclafani endorsed an expansion of public transit, including into Delaware County.
On the topic of beautification of Phoenicia, DiSclafani said that he would love to bury the power lines and put trees on sidewalks. However, this would be “very costly.” Mansfield said that she was “already in contact with state officials about burying the power lines” and cited placing trash cans on Main Street. The candidate also said that the arts could allow for beautification and cited members of the Ulster County Arts Committee. She was “really excited” about efforts to “make our town stand out to make other people say ‘wow.’”
When asked why the candidates were seeking the office, Mansfield said that she was hoping to serve her neighbors in Pine Hill and Phoenicia. “There are so many people who put so many hours” and intelligence into committees, she said. She cited building a budget snapshot.
“I feel like we have a lot of emergency and first responding volunteers wondering how do we get the equipment we need?” she asked.
DiSclafani said that it was a “challenge and honor to serve.” He added that there was a “satisfaction” as projects came together.
“It’s not the money,” he said.
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