The most intriguing supervisor's race in November may be in the smallest town in Schoharie County.
Eight towns will have contested races for supervisor on Election Day, including Blenheim where incumbent Democrat Shawn Smith faces a challenge from long-time Democrat Gail Shaffer who is running as a Republican.
Ms. Shaffer explained that she expected to be cross-endorsed for the supervisor's position. The Republican caucus was held first where she was nominated and apparently "not everyone was happy" that she was given the GOP nod.
Mr. Smith, who has been supervisor for two years, was the Democrats choice for the seat.
Though she is running as a Republican, Ms. Shaffer stressed, "I'm still a Democrat and I will remain a Democrat."
Ms. Shaffer served as supervisor in the late 1970s and her father Bob was also town supervisor for many years.
Mr. Smith is fine with the competition.
"I think that it is great to have someone running against me and to have an election," he said.
"If the residents aren't satisfied with the work I have done, now they have the option to choose someone else."
The Democratic caucus was well attended, he noted.
"Gail ran against me in the Democratic caucus and we had a huge turnout for the caucus, the biggest town caucus that Blenheim has ever had."
About 70 percent of those attending backed Mr. Smith, he added.
"I honestly have no idea how Gail worked out becoming the Republican candidate. But regardless of that, I look forward to campaigning and speaking with all of our residents prior to the election."
Though she encouraged Mr. Smith to run two years ago, Ms. Shaffer is disappointed in the town's representation the last two years.
"We need a strong advocate and we haven't had one in our current supervisor."
The town is in the midst of the NYPA re-licensing, a very important time in the town's history, she noted.
The next two years will affect the next 50 years for the town, she added.
"We have so much at stake in this little town."
Blenheim, she continued, lost about a third of its tax base when the Power Authority came to Schoharie County in the early 1970s and received no compensation.
"It's the very future of the town that's in the balance."
The NYPA re-licensing is an important issue, among several others, Mr. Smith said.
"NYPA has not paid taxes or contributed financially to our town for the past 50 years and I have been aggressively negotiating with them in an effort to force them to make PILOT payments to our town," Mr. Smith answered.
"We have been working on these negotiations for the past year and we are making progress on the issue. I am very optimistic that these negotiations will be successful, but they are going to take at least another year to finalize.
"I feel that my work on this over the next two years will be one of my biggest contributions to our town. I have the experience and background to ensure that NYPA is held financially accountable to our town."
Other towns with supervisor races include:
• Broome: Democrat Walter Berdan against Republican David Simkins. Both are newcomers.
• Cobleskill: Incumbent Republican Leo McAllister is being challenged by newcomer Christina Knee, a Democrat.
• Conesville: Incumbent Republican Bill Federice is being challenged by newcomer Stephen Young, a Democrat.
• Fulton: Incumbent Democrat Phil Skowfoe is being challenged by Republican John Felitti, a newcomer.
• Middleburgh: Incumbent Democrat Jim Buzon is being challenged by Republican Pete Coppolo, a newcomer.
• Richmondville: Incumbent Republican Dick Lape is being challenged by Democrat Scott Bennett, who has previously run for the position.
• Schoharie: In a three-way race, incumbent Democrat Gene Milone is being challenged by Republican Chris Tague and Wanda Colyer, who is running on the People Helping People party.