In Gardiner, incumbent Democratic town supervisor Carl Zatz faces a challenge from Republican Marybeth Majestic. Currently winding up a second consecutive term as Gardiner’s town supervisor, following a hiatus after two previous terms, Zatz is seeking reelection once again. His professional background includes experience in media, marketing and public relations, as well as being proprietor of the Village Market and Eatery in downtown Gardiner. His priorities for the coming term, if reelected, include maintaining financial stability for town government, improving cellular, Internet and broadband communications, creating more programs for accessibility for seniors and youth and keeping a Gardiner’s environment clean and beautiful.
First-time candidate Marybeth Majestic worked as a confidential secretary to three of the past four town supervisors and has been a longtime active civic volunteer, notably with the Gardiner Historical Society. If elected, she plans to prioritize leadership and transparency in government, allowing public input at Town Board meetings prior to motions being voted on and distributing information to board members at the first meeting, but postponing all votes until the second meeting. Infrastructure needs, with an emphasis on routine maintenance of town-owned buildings, would also be high on Majestic’s list, utilizing reserve funds where available.
Town Board
Four candidates are contending for Gardiner’s two Town Board seats becoming available upon the expiration of the current terms of Warren Wiegand and Michael Reynolds: Democrats Wiegand and Laura F. Walls and Republicans Reynolds and Bruna Rondinelli.
Eight-year incumbent Gardiner Town Board member and deputy town supervisor Warren Wiegand was endorsed for reelection by the Democratic Party. An advocate for agritourism, he was previously active on the Open Space Commission and also led the fundraising campaign to build the new Gardiner Library. His priorities for a coming term, if reelected, include keeping taxes low, despite unfunded state and federal mandates and skyrocketing health insurance costs; keeping roads and bridges safe and up-to-date using existing reserve funds, selling unused property and securing grants; and enhancing programs for youth and seniors at Majestic Park.
Self-described “policy wonk” Laura Walls served one term as Gardiner town supervisor from 2000 to 2002 as well as several terms on the New Paltz School Board, and was long known in the community as co-owner of the municipal grantwriting firm Shingebiss Associates. She is challenging Mike Reynolds for his seat on the Gardiner Town Board. Walls’s top agenda items, should she be elected, will include enhancing cellular service in the town; long-term financial planning, including multi-year budgeting; and working with neighboring communities toward the elimination of the New York State-mandated tax cap, which she terms a “gimmick.”
Originally elected as a Democrat, first-term incumbent Mike Reynolds was passed over for endorsement by the Gardiner Dems this year but was nominated by the Republicans for reelection to the Gardiner Town Board. Reynolds’ platform priorities include fair and open communication; a “project management” process for evaluating and tracking civic issues; unifying the board to allow for the best solutions for all residents; keeping costs and spending in line and taxes affordable; and maintaining and expanding smart and creative growth while preserving Gardiner’s local appeal.
Bruna Rondinelli, a real estate agent with Century 21 Alliance Realty Group and a first-generation immigrant, is running for a first term on the Gardiner Town Board. Among her priorities are grant-funded projects that link youth and seniors; keeping taxes low; a more vibrant Main Street, with art galleries and other producing businesses; an enhanced atmosphere of respect within town government; and keeping the rural character of Gardiner intact.
Town justice
Two candidates are contending for the office of town justice in Gardiner: Democratic incumbent Bruce Blatchly and Republican Frank Petrone.
Five-term incumbent Bruce Blatchly, who is also a practicing attorney, is running for reelection to head Gardiner’s Justice Court. His priorities include implementing procedures to deal with new requirements to provide counsel to all defendants at the initial arraignment; taking advantage of modern information technology in the court to process its caseload and exchange information with other parts of the state court system; and to improve the court’s ability to address the problems of domestic violence and substance abuse. The Town of Shawangunk’s police chief for the past 24 years, with experience as a court bailiff, Frank Petrone is the Republican challenger for the post of town justice in Gardiner. If elected, his priorities will include applying for grants for personnel, training, equipment and security; keeping the court running efficiently and keeping taxes down; and efficiently managing the court calendar and caseload.
Ulster County Legislature
The Ulster County Legislature seat representing District 16, including Gardiner and parts of Shawangunk, is currently held by Democrat Tracey Bartels, who is being challenged by Republican John Hinson.
Bartels, a filmmaker by trade, was first elected to the county legislature in 2003 and served two terms before taking a voluntary hiatus; she was returned to office in the 2011 election to serve an additional two terms. She is currently a member of the Economic Development, Tourism, Housing, Planning and Transit Committees. Bartels’ priorities include working across party lines to protect taxpayers, the environment and the county as a whole; a holistic countywide approach to waste management; and setting a policy requiring the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to evaluate local impacts to community character and community services when considering PILOT projects.
Realtor John Hinson is currently a member of the Gardiner Town Board, and will have to relinquish that seat if elected to the county legislature. He previously served on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Open Space Committee. His priorities, if elected as legislator, will include appointing members to the IDA board who will work for the best interests of the residents of Gardiner and Shawangunk; and opposition to attempts to site a landfill in Ulster County.
Running unopposed
The only candidate running unopposed in Gardiner in this year’s election is incumbent highway superintendent Brian Stiscia.
To read in-depth profiles about all the candidates running for office in Gardiner, visit www.ulsterpub.wpengine.com.
— Frances Marion Platt
