SCHOHARIE - Newcomers Jim Schultz and Bob Montione are vying for supervisor in the Town of Schoharie next week.
Mr. Montione, a Democrat, and Mr. Schultz, a Republican, are running to replace Benjamin Oevering who is not running for re-election.
Bob Montione
Mr. Montione is running for supervisor because he wants to contribute to Schoharie’s town government and land use decisions.
"This is another way I can serve my community, as I have since joining the ambulance squad two weeks after moving here," he said. "My wife Jennie Mosher and I moved to Schoharie 38 years ago, and were impressed with the small-town friendliness; the rural open spaces with access for fishing, kayaking, hiking, and hunting; the beautiful vistas; the robust agriculture; and the variety of arts opportunities. I’m committed to maintaining the aspects of the town that we all love, while encouraging a healthy business environment."
Mr. Montione worked for 18 months on the volunteer committee that updated the town’s 2025 Combined Village and Town Comprehensive Plan, which documented the community’s vision for how residents want the town to develop.
As the town looks to update the Land Use Law in the coming year, he wants to help oversee the implementation of these plans, and to support the defense of that law to keep the community "welcoming and vibrant for years to come."
He believes the top two issues facing the Schoharie community are development and water.
"The Town of Schoharie is in the process of creating a strong economy based on agriculture and tourism. This means that we continue to support the historically strong farming industry (for which we are famous), and at the same time support the broader economy by encouraging tourism featuring our farm stands, breweries, restaurants, festivals, concerts, museums, arts, etc. This requires the Town Council to guide how the land is used and developed. I want to foster good development which fits our community character and provides economic improvement for our population, and to protect against development which does not."
The vision of future Schoharie described in the 2025 Combined Town and Village Comprehensive Plan was developed by a citizens’ committee (on which he served for 18 months) with extensive input from the public, he said. This vision is now being put into effect under revision of the Town’s Land Use Law, an effort headed by the current Town Supervisor. If elected, he said he would help implement these changes in the law, and ensure that there are resources to defend the law if challenged.
"My entire professional career has been devoted to the restoration of water quality in lakes, rivers, and groundwater. There are places in the Town of Schoharie where water is a major concern, such as Central Bridge and the I-88 gateway area. In particular, I have looked extensively at the Central Bridge Water District, and I believe I have a clear understanding of the source of the long-standing water quality problem there. I have already presented a proposal to the Water Board that has the potential to quickly and inexpensively resolve the issue. I look forward to being able to apply my technical background to the water concerns of the community."
Mr. Montione is the current chair of Save Our Schoharie (volunteered 21 years and counting). He also volunteered with Scho-Wright Ambulance (34 years, including one year as President), volunteered on the Committee for developing 2025 Combined Town and Village Comprehensive Plan, and was a former board member and director of the Midget League at the Schenectady Youth Hockey Association.
Mr. Montione said he has a "long history of serving Schoharie, experience in a variety of leadership roles, and a strong commitment to passing and upholding laws that reflect the values and wishes of our community.
"In my career, I have worked extensively with federal, state, and local governments, as well as members of the public, to take action for the public good. (For example, guiding the cleanup of Onondaga Lake, previously known as the most polluted lake in North America). I believe that my experience in working successfully with various government agencies, listening to different viewpoints, and creatively solving problems would be of benefit to the Town of Schoharie.
"If elected, I would work to implement revised Land Use Laws, and to quickly improve the water quality in the public water supply of Central Bridge."
Jim Schlutz
Mr. Schultz has served on the town board for a total of 10 years as a town council person, from 2012-2020 and 2025- current.
He said he is running because the current Town Supervisor chose not to seek re-election. "I’m running for the seat because my prior board experience is exactly why I’m prepared to step in from day one."
Mr. Schultz said that while serving on the town board, a new land use law was adopted along with a comprehensive plan. "There has been a balance of economic growth with rural preservation. Central Bridge water system has received improvement to address the water quality."
There are some design errors in Central Bridge water system which have compromised performance. "I will be working to hold the engineering firm responsible for correcting these failures," he said.
Long-term structural repair will be necessary to ensure the ongoing integrity of the Central Bridge sewer system, he added.
Another issue to be faced is that the town highway department has outpaced the operational capacity of its current facility. Modernization and expansion are required to properly house and maintain the upgraded equipment fleet, Mr. Schultz noted.
He added, "In these challenging economic times, our community cannot afford a learning curve. We need an experienced leader who can deliver results as Supervisor on day one, not someone who needs on the job training."
Pictured: Schultz and Montione
