Two Contested Council Seats Contested in Delhi

DELHI - With the November 4th elections approaching, two Delhi Town Council seats will appear on the ballot. Neither incumbent, Margaret Baldwin, nor Matt Krzyston is seeking re-election, but four candidates are vying for the four-year terms.

"I am grateful to have been elected for three terms, but I believe in term limits. There are many benefits to getting different voices involved," said Krzyston.

"It was a very difficult decision not to run," said Baldwin, "I hope during my tenure I was able to study the issues, listen to the voice of all our town constituents, and think creatively and effectively for all our residents."

Baldwin commended Supervisor Maya Boukai's leadership, noting improvements in governing with transparency and resolution.

"We are a team where our opinions and observations are heard. We may not all agree, but we respect each other's concerns and can negotiate and compromise in the best interest of the town," said Baldwin, "I was honored to have had the opportunity to serve within this very special community, a place I am very proud to call home."

Running candidates include Democrat and Delhi Forward Daniel J. Gashler, Democrat and Delhi Forward Simon J. Purdy, Republican David C. Wakin, and Republican Marne Champlin. The Mountain Eagle constructed the following questions for 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 Bovina, and why did you choose to make it home?

Below are responses from each town council seat candidate.

Daniel J. Gashler, Democrat and Delhi Forward

A.  I've been really impressed by the work of the Delhi Town Board over the last few years.  They've prioritized shared services with the Village, managed our budget wisely, and invested reserve funds. They've also done an excellent job supporting economic development and recreation in the village.  Delhi is an amazing place to live, and our current supervisor, Maya Boukai, along with councilmembers Peg Baldwin, Matt Krzyston, Josh Morgan, and Christina Viafore, have all done wonderful work to make it so.  Peg and Matt are stepping down, so two people need to step up. If elected, I want to support the good work our town board has been doing.

B. I recognize good leadership when I see it and want to support the efforts that have been made in Delhi, particularly toward closer, more respectful collaboration between the town and village. I would like to be appointed to the personnel and highway committees.  I've been in union leadership at SUNY Delhi for the past nine years, I managed a small farm in the Finger Lakes, and I have experience supporting road construction and maintenance as a dump truck driver.

C. If elected, one of my first priorities will be to help negotiate a contract for our town employees that properly compensates them for the outstanding work they do on behalf of our town. I also want to support the good efforts by many different entities to promote more affordable and attainable housing and to support economic development.

Logistically, though, the first thing I would do at the beginning of every meeting is listen to whatever issues my constituents bring forward, because we have privilege of the floor in the Town of Delhi. I call on the county to do the same thing. Only through being open and transparent can we meet the needs of Delhi and Delaware County. 

D. I moved to Delhi to take a history professor job at SUNY Delhi 10 years ago.  I initially lived in Walton for one year, because housing is so hard to find in Delhi. In 2016, we were fortunate to move here. I've found this community to be a welcoming, amazing place for my wife, Krisy, and me to raise our two kids, and I want to do my part to help other people have the great experience here that we've had.

Simon J. Purdy, Democrat and Delhi Forward

A. I am running for a position on the town council this year because it seemed like the right time to do so. There are two long-serving board members who are not seeking re-election, and I very much want to continue the great work being done by the council.

Besides the opportunity arising, I am also running for office because I would like to help build a community that my children (and everyone else's) can thrive in. While Delhi has a lot of great things going for it, there is always room for improvement, especially in terms of community building and sustainability, so that our community is a welcoming place for everyone, in coming years and well into the future!

B. I have a lot to offer as a potential member of the Delhi Town Council. I bring over a decade of experience as a researcher and educator, with expertise in program evaluation, criminal justice issues (including the effects of substance use), and the effects of community connection and civic engagement. My hope is to apply this expertise and experience to the issues that are important to our town, including the assessment of ongoing programs. I also have a huge passion for community building and establishing connections between community members and the organizations and services that they need for support.

Beyond my professional background, I am a parent here in Delhi. Our three kids keep my amazing wife and me very involved in lots of activities and organizations, which I feel gives me a chance to see our community from a young person's perspective as well.

I also love to cook, I'm a beekeeper, woodworker, musician, and gardener, with a long family history of farming. I intend to connect with and represent everyone in our community, regardless of their background or political beliefs. 

C. There are lots of projects and initiatives that I would like to work on as a town council member. This includes developing more recreational opportunities for our youth, developing a tool-share program, and working on environmental projects such as stormwater landscaping/gardens to set an example in sustainability for the rest of the town and surrounding areas.

However, the very first thing I intend to do if elected to the town council is to listen. It's one thing to go into a new position assuming you have all of the answers, but personally, I would like to take some time to hear the needs of our community members. The Delhi Town Council already does a great job with open meetings and inviting public comment. However, not everyone can attend these meetings, so as a researcher, I would like to reach out to community members and get a good grasp of the needs and future plans of our entire community. I have already heard a lot of town residents discussing cost of living and housing struggles, land usage issues, road maintenance/infrastructure issues, and more (and have felt many of these things myself), but there are likely more issues that the town could make an impact on. By listening to our community, I hope to develop specific policies and projects that can make Delhi an even better place to live.

D. My family and I have been residents of Delhi since 2018, when we moved here from Michigan for my job at the University (I am a professor of Criminal Justice). When I came to Delhi for my interview in February of 2018, I was immediately taken by the landscape and small-town charm. We have been very impressed with the Delaware Academy system for our kids' education, the amazing outdoor recreation opportunities, and nothing beats the sound of a brook flowing through a valley at night! Needless to say, we have fallen in love with Delhi, and are proud to call this town our home. To redirect this back to a campaign issue, I know that we have had a struggle with keeping young people in the town after they graduate. This is to be expected as a right of passage for young adults to strike out on their own. However, I would very much like to help develop partnerships and programs that can make Delhi an even more inviting place, especially for those looking to settle down and start their professional and family lives. This could include developing a community center for youth and community recreation, incentivizing needed businesses such as child care, and working with landowners and others to develop ways to bring down housing costs and make our community a more inviting and accessible place to live!

Marne Champlin, Republican

A. I’m seeking public office because I care deeply about the future of Delhi. I want to protect what makes our town special while being a strong, practical voice for our residents. I believe in small government, community-first values, and common-sense leadership.

B. As a lifelong Delhi resident, a local mom, and a small business manager, I bring a wide range of real-world experience to the table. I have a personal stake in decisions that impact families, education, safety, and long-term planning. My background in leadership, budgeting, and operations directly applies to town governance and fiscal responsibility.

I’m proud of my educational path—starting in Delhi’s schools, attending SUNY Delhi, and earning my bachelor’s degree from Hartwick College. This reflects my commitment to personal growth and gave me the tools to analyze issues, understand policy, and work collaboratively.

I spent 15 years working in sales at Sportsfield Specialties, where I developed strong communication and client service skills. After that, I explored a variety of roles, including substitute teaching, payroll processing, and tax preparation. For the past six years, I’ve been homeschooling my children while also helping manage my family’s local business. These experiences have given me a broad perspective and a deep appreciation for the challenges small business owners face. My work has consistently been driven by a strong sense of responsibility, service, and hard work.

Currently, I serve on the Delaware County Republican Committee representing Delhi. This role has deepened my understanding of local issues and strengthened my commitment to community engagement.

Delhi is my home. I love it not only for its beauty but for the people who make it special. I’m ready to listen, lead, and work hard on behalf of our town.

C. If elected, my first priority would be to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the role. Building a strong foundation through active learning will allow me to be a more informed and effective council member. I also plan to thoroughly review Delhi’s Comprehensive Plan to better understand the community’s long-term vision and explore how its ideas can be meaningfully implemented. In addition, I will examine the town's budget closely to evaluate how funds are being allocated, identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs, and determine where additional investment may be needed to better serve our residents

D. Born in Oneonta and raised in Delhi, I’ve spent all 48 years of my life in the heart of this community. From my earliest days in school to my time at college, Delhi has shaped who I am. Over the years, I’ve held a variety of jobs here, each one deepening my connection to the people and the place I proudly call home.

Eventually, I made the decision to build a life — and a home — right here in Delhi, where I’ve had the joy of raising my children. There’s a sense of belonging, history, and community spirit in Delhi that I’ve never found anywhere else. Though I enjoy traveling and taking several vacations a year to experience life beyond the Catskills, I always return with a deeper appreciation for where I come from.

Delhi isn’t just where I live — it’s who I am. I couldn't imagine calling anywhere else home.

[insert photo: David C. Wakin, Republican]

A. Because this is my home.

B. I have worked for the town since 1981 as an administrative assistant for the planning department, and from 1981 through 1985, I served as code officer. I was a member of the various committees that wrote subdivision regulations, the town's comprehensive plan, and the zoning ordinance. Furthermore, I have worked for the planning board since 1981. I have a pretty good idea of what is going on in the town.

C. Integrate myself with the existing council and supervisor.

D. I was born in Oneonta, and after college, I lived in Long Island for seven years, working for an engineering company. After having two kids on the Island, I wanted to bring them here and raise them. I came to Delhi in 1977 and have been here since. Now my children are here, grandchildren, and I have great-grandchildren here.

Also on the ballot this year is Democrat and Delhi First Maya I. Boukai, seeking re-election as town supervisor for a second term unopposed.

"Over the past two years, I’ve worked hard to strengthen both the town’s finances and its sense of teamwork," said Boukai, "By investing town funds wisely, we’ve earned more in interest and made every tax dollar go further."

Boukai noted securing and applying for over $100,000 in grant funding for local projects. Another key initiative Boukai has focused on is open communication and transparency to adequately address concerns. "At the county level, I’ve carried those same values forward, standing up for fiscal responsibility by being willing to vote no on top-tier raises while continuing to push for fair pay and retention for the hardworking employees who keep our communities running," she said.

If re-elected, Boukai vows to continue investing town funds strategically, execute grant awards, strengthen grant eligibility, and support new board members. "My goal is to help them (new councilmembers) bring their own ideas, goals, and strengths to the table; so together, we can keep building a resilient, more responsive local government for everyone," concluded Boukai.

Elections take place on November 4th at the Public Safety Building, 280 Phoebe Lane.