Six on Ballot for March 18 Elections in Tannersville

Tannersville - So much for a lack of interest in becoming an elected official in the Village of Tannersville. That was one argument that favored dissolving the Village, but voters overwhelmingly rejected dissolution this past January. Now, six candidates are vying for three positions in the upcoming March 18 election—four for two open Village Trustee seats and two for Village Mayor.

Current Village Deputy Mayor/Trustee David Kashman is being challenged for the mayoral seat by former long-term Mayor Dr. Lee McGunnigle, while four new candidates are running for Village Trustee. Kashman has served on the Village Board for approximately six years, learning as he goes. While McGunnigle brings over two decades of experience—including playing a key role in securing the Village's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant—Kashman and the current administration have been instrumental in moving many projects forward, including the $1.3 million Upper Lake Development project, the Streambank project off Railroad Avenue, a connectivity grant for improved sidewalks, and a municipal solar program.

McGunnigle's challenge reflects lingering tensions over the dissolution debate, as he has criticized the current Board for prioritizing dissolution over pushing these infrastructure projects forward. However, the counterargument by current Village Mayor David Schneider remains that state-funded projects naturally take time to develop, a claim McGunnigle disputes. His loss in the 2023 mayoral election to Schneider by a single vote sparked speculation and rumors, with both sides presenting different accounts. Between September and January, voter registration in the Village increased by 109, increasing the total number of registered voters from approximately 450 to 550. This was partly due to efforts led by Trustee George Kelly, a vocal opponent of dissolution, who acknowledged his work to register voters before this past January 14 vote. His efforts paid off, with voters overwhelmingly voting to keep the Village.

It will be interesting to see if the newly registered voters (69 absentee voters) will participate as they did this past January.

The Trustee Race: A Mix of Experience and Fresh Perspectives

Four candidates are vying for two Village Trustee seats: lifelong residents Kody Leach and Stephen Tuomey and New York City transplants Gil Adler and Rebecca Fitting. Village Trustee Dylan Legg, a Republican, has decided not to run, while Deputy Mayor/Trustee Kashman is running for Mayor.

Leach, 24, has been cross-endorsed by the Mountaintop Democratic and Republican caucuses. Born and raised on the mountaintop, he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2021 with a degree in Business Management and returned to manage local businesses for entrepreneur Ryan Chadwick. Leach oversees the Chadwick's Trolley system, which has significantly alleviated traffic congestion on Route 23A, and manages Chadwick's business, Fred's Coffee & Donuts. Leach also manages. While he lacks political experience, his willingness to learn and engage with constituents through door-knocking suggests a fresh, community-driven perspective.

Tuomey, 60, secured the Republican Caucus's backing. A well-known figure in the community, he is the current Village Fire Chief and has been involved with the fire company since 1982. His background includes working as a dispatch officer for Ulster County for 14 years and serving two years as the head of the Village Department of Public Works. Known for being the first on the scene during emergencies, Tuomey has deep community ties and is well-known for his public service.

Adler, 40, won the Democratic Caucus's support and has lived in the Village for approximately six years. His background is diverse—he served as a sniper in the Israeli Army in his early twenties, holds degrees from Boston University and Columbia University with CPA credentials, and has worked in finance for over a decade. A vocal opponent of dissolution, Adler has attended more Village meetings than any other trustee candidate. He became particularly engaged in Village politics after the DRI grant was awarded but left town due to a family emergency. When he returned to the Village, he discovered McGunnigle was no longer Mayor (replaced by David Schneider), and according to Adler, the Board became focused on dissolution, which he felt was a "180-degree change, and divided the Village." Adler has been actively reaching out to voters, and said, "I've spoken to residents who have lived here for 10-15 years and never received a call from a candidate."

Fitting, 50, is running as an Independent under "The Village Party" after missing out on caucus endorsements. A Village resident for about a year and a half, she first purchased the Brave the Flames building in 2021 before moving up full-time with her son, who attends Hunter-Tannersville Central. She describes herself as "fiscally responsible and civically engaged" and has emphasized the importance of safety, infrastructure, and quality of life. In a letter to Village residents, Fitting stated, "As we learned from the dissolution report, our Village is fiscally sound. I'm interested in helping Tannersville invest in itself to grow, adapt, and evolve."

A Common Vision for the Future

Despite their different backgrounds, all candidates share common goals: improving infrastructure, preserving the Village's historical character, securing future grants, and fostering sustainable growth. With election signs popping up along Main Street like early spring flowers, Tannersville is preparing for a season of change—not just in weather but in leadership. Whether voters opt for experience, fresh perspectives, or a combination of both, one thing is clear: the community is engaged, and the future of the Village will be shaped by those who show up on March 18 to cast their ballot.