BETHEL, NY — Election season is upon us, with six candidates running for two open council member seats in Bethel. Incumbent town supervisor Dan Sturm is running unopposed for supervisor.
The River Reporter compiled coverage from the candidates directly to help voters make an informed decision this election season. Candidates shared their responses over the phone and by email, and some said they’ve been knocking on doors to reach their constituents.
A lot of questions were asked to each candidate, including about their background, reasons for running, and bigger issues facing the town of Bethel. Answers ranged from their stance on things like development and renewable energy within the town.
Development has long been a pain point for residents in Sullivan County. Bethel, a historically underdeveloped part of the county, was no exception—candidates had a lot to say on the topic.
Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm, who has been in office since 2008, struck a note of experience and unfinished work. He said, “I am running again because there is a lot more to do, and it is important to use this experience for the town to continue to run well, and to set up for future success, especially in challenging times.”
Sturm highlighted that Bethel is now the 20th municipality in New York State to be recognized as a climate smart community, “so we are helping the environment, setting an example, going green and saving money.”
The River Reporter reached out to candidate William Crumley for comment, but did not receive a response by press time.
John F. Maniec said that he was running as an Independent and proudly said he had done 392 home visits to date when he spoke to the River Reporter on September 30. He said, “Technically, early voting starts on October 13, so the math was 65 [doors] a week.” He added that he was “trying to cover the whole township [sic],” joking that he went so far he even “knocked on the door of a Liberty neighbor.”
Maniec stressed self sufficiency in his strategy. “I’m running my own campaign, fully funded at my own expense and don’t accept donations from anyone. It’s clear that the new faces with fresh ideas are solely needed on the current stale town council,” he said.
Nicole Newick said she is a local and a neighbor, as well as an active community member, parent and Bethel business owner. “I am committed to listening to residents, asking the hard questions, and keeping Bethel’s future at the center of every decision,” she said. “I believe in transparency, so I share my views on the critical topics community members bring to me.”
Newick identified the biggest issue in Bethel as balancing growth and development with preserving the town’s rural character and natural resources. “We need to ensure that as new opportunities come, they don’t overwhelm our infrastructure, hurt our environment, or diminish the quality of life for current residents,” she stated.
Paula Moss stressed responsibility as the town grows, stating, “Bethel’s biggest challenge is also our opportunity—that is, to manage growth responsibly.” She continued, “As a Smallwood resident who lives across from Mountain Lake, I see daily how interconnected our watershed is, and how important it is to plan and build with water protection in mind.”
Moss appealed to families. “I decided to run because I care deeply about Bethel’s future. Raising a family here and being active in the community has shown me how important local government is. It is here that we can truly make a difference,” she said.
Cliff Manning acknowledged that the town has already started to address renewable energy—including solar farms, solar streetlights, electric equipment for the highway department and an EV charging station. Manning said he would continue to support these initiatives moving forward.
Manning explained his varied skillset and practical work history that he said would be an asset to the board. “For example,” he said, “I have a leadership role in my home improvement company involving budgeting and planning. After reviewing policies and procedures for the board, I have gained insights so I will be able to carry these out in a meaningful way to be the voice of the people.”
Adam Gold said that his vision for Bethel requires attention to detail: “careful attention to planning, environmental stewardship and maintaining our rural character.” He mentioned he serves on the Bethel Zoning Board of Appeals and the Comprehensive Plan Review Committee and that led to his interest in sustainable planning, zoning and economic growth.
Gold discussed expanding the use of “Duggan School for youth and residents and to strengthen the support for emergency services and first responders, among other goals as councilman.”
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