Supervisor Councilmember Switch In Andes - Two Council Seats Contested

ANDES - With Supervisor Wayland "Bud" Gladstone deciding to step down in his position, it made room for long-time Councilmember Ritchie Gabriel to step up. The two are running for election, essentially switching roles. However, Gladstone has a more challenging path as there are two councilmember seats on the ballot this year and three candidates. Incombent Richard "Dale" Cole, appearing on the Democratic line, and Dana Scuderi-Hunter, running on the Republican line, will appear on the ballot alongside Gladstone, who is running on the Democratic and People's Voice lines. Scuderi-Hunter appears on the ballot as Dana A. Scuderi.

The Mountain Eagle constructed the following questions for councilmember candidates:

A. Why have you chosen to run for election?

B. What makes you a good candidate?

C. What will be your first item of business if elected?

D. How long have you lived in Andes, and why did you choose to make it home?

Below are responses from each candidate.

 Dana Scuderi, Andes Council

A. I’m running because I love Andes; its beauty, its people, and its strong sense of community. My husband and I have called Andes home since 2007, and I want to help preserve its rural charm while keeping it affordable for everyone who lives here. I believe in protecting what makes Andes special and ensuring that residents of all ages can continue to call it home.

B. I’m a problem solver with a passion for people. As a licensed clinical social worker and former Commissioner of Social Services, I oversaw a $29 million budget, reduced waste, strengthened programs, and returned $12 million to taxpayers — all without cutting services. I’m dedicated, energetic, and results-driven. I’ve spent my career advocating for others and I’ll bring that same commitment and enthusiasm to advocating for the people of Andes.

C. I’ll start by reviewing the town’s finances—payables, revenues, and overall spending to make sure we’re operating efficiently and responsibly. My goal is to find ways to reduce the tax burden while maintaining strong services and protecting the character of our town.

D. My husband has lived in Delaware County his entire life and grew up in New Kingston. We made Andes our home in 2007, though in many ways it felt like Andes chose us. At the time, I was caring for my father, who was battling cancer, and I had shown him a picture of a little cottage with horses and a chimney in a Delaware National Bank of Delhi calendar. I told him that’s exactly the kind of home I’d love to have nearby. Not long after his passing, that very home came up for sale. We visited, fell in love with it, and were lucky enough to make it ours. It’s been the most wonderful home and community we could have ever hoped for.

I’d be honored to serve on the Andes Town Council and bring my energy, experience, and fiscal expertise to support our residents. My goal is simple — to help keep Andes beautiful, vibrant, and affordable for the people who make it the special place we all love to call home.

 Wayland Gladstone, Andes Council Candidate

A. I have chosen to step down as Town Supervisor at the end of this year to be able to devote more time to our farm transition to our daughter and son-in-law, Chelsea and Jason Guy, and their family.  

I am running for a Town Council seat as someone who loves my Community and has been deeply rooted and devoted to our Community my entire life, serving various organizations over the years. My hope is to continue to represent our Community.

B. I have always approached issues in a non-partisan manner, looking at all aspects before making recommendations to the Board. I feel that I have strong budgeting skills and have worked hard with the Board's support and input to keep our taxes as low as possible, averaging an increase of just 1.97% over 9 of 10 years. Building a solid financial foundation has been my top goal for Andes over the past years. We have established an equipment fund for the highway department, established and maintained a healthy fund balance to handle emergencies without borrowing and invested funds wisely to generate additional revenue for the Town. I have worked with partnering agencies to develop shared service agreements that benefit our and neighboring Communities.  Our Town Board and I have delivered major Community investments, including securing $850,000 for streambank projects in the Hamlet (slated to begin in Spring 2026), and partnered with the MARK Project to obtain $500,000. Main Street Revitalization grant, secured NYSERDA funds to install EV charging stations, secured a grant to install our beautiful Victorian clock at Bohlman Park, and purchased speed-reduction warning signs at both Route 28 entrances to the Hamlet.  In addition, we are installing generators for both the Town Highway Garage and Town Offices by obtaining Federal funds through the ARP program.  

After many years of persistence, we are finalizing an agreement to install a cell tower in Andes

C. Over the years, I've witnessed tremendous growth in local businesses and Community spirit.  I have always tried to be a voice not only for my Community but for all residents of Delaware County.  I will continue to advocate for responsible spending, infrastructure improvements, and opportunities that keep Andes strong, sustainable, and affordable for generations to come. I thank the Community of Andes for your continued trust and support.

D. I am 5th generation on the farm. My family settled in Andes on Gladstone Hollow Road in the early 1800s. We've always been a dairy until we moved to beef about 30 years ago. To our family, Andes is our home!

A. I enjoy working with the problem-solving board we have. Every board member has endorsed me, which has helped me decide to run.

B. I have been a councilman for the past 12 years. I am a lifelong resident and a retired rural letter carrier for the town, having served for 30 years, so I know the town inside and out.

I have coached various sports in Andes and the surrounding areas over the years. I coached baseball for 15 years in Andes, Stamford, and Delhi—that's a centerpiece of my life. A bright point was when we went to the States; we had four Andes players start, which I was proud of. Currently, I coach in South Kortright, which is combined with Andes sports.

C. We are currently working on three important projects, and I want to be a part of them: a cell phone tower, two flashing speed signs, and a radio station. The speed signs have already been purchased and will be installed as you enter the hamlet, down dangerous hills. The town radio station will benefit students who could be employed there.

The town went from being a farming community to a weekend hot spot. We have limited parking and no gas station within 12 miles, so these are still things we are working through.

D. I am a life-long resident, born and raised here. Every time I left, for the military and college, I always wanted to come back.

Gabriel is appearing on the Democratic and Republican lines for the supervisor position unopposed. He has served as a town councilmember for 34 years, worked with five different supervisors, and countless councilmembers. When asked what makes him a good candidate, Gabriel answered, "I feel well-versed on town law, sat on numerous committees negotiating contracts with contractors as well as town highway employees." Gabriel has 37 years of experience as a Maintenance Supervisor for NYS and is on the Coalition of Watershed Towns executive committee, which is currently advocating for Watershed communities in the NYC water supply permit negotiations.

When asked about some of the key projects he is most proud of working on, Gabriel said, the streetscape project, where all sidewalks, sewer and water lines, and curbs were replaced through Andes hamlet. The project also added new signage, ornamental lighting, and a handicap crosswalk. "I also enjoy working with the highway department," he said, "Picking out new equipment and specific options that made sense and were the best bang for the buck."

Gabriel noted a difficult project the board tackled, "The flood of '96 destroyed almost every road 111 miles in the town of Andes, exhausted nearly all our funds and inventory to replace. We spent countless hours solving this situation with the entire board."

Also on the ballot are incumbents Justice Thomas Joyce, appearing on the Democratic line, and Nicholas Burton, appearing on the Republican line. There are two Justice seats up for election for a four-year term. Incumbent Superintendent of Highways John Bouton is running on the Republican line. Town Assessor Tina Moshier is running for reelection on the Republican line.

Elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Polling places are as follows: District One, Town Court, 5287 County Highway One, and District Two, Rod & Gun Club, 528 County Highway One.