THOMPSON AND TUSTEN, NY — As voting season approaches, many town supervisors are rerunning unopposed. Still, these supervisors have a vision for their respective towns that they hope to continue pursuing in their next term.

The River Reporter spoke to Thompson Town Supervisor Scott Mace and Tusten Town Supervisor Ben Johnson to learn about the work that’s being done in each town, potential challenges and what the future holds.

Getting to know your supervisor 

Mace, who’s lived in Thompson for 35 years, said he “grew up in a small town in [sic] the Canadian border, but my wife is from Rock Hill.”

“I met her after I graduated college and we settled here, raised our family,” he continued.

Prior to being town supervisor, Mace said, he was a pharmacist for several years, and was on the town board as a councilman for 14 years. 

“I’d always been involved,” he commented. “I wanted a bigger challenge.”

Johnson, who has lived in Tusten since 1994, works for his wife at Narrowsburg Motors. Prior to that, he worked for the New York State Police. After he retired from the force, the previous town supervisor, Dick Crandell, convinced Johnson to run, which got Johnson his start in local government.

That first stint as town supervisor lasted 6 years before he took a break for a decade. After that, he returned to become supervisor again in 2020. 

“I really do think there should be term limits in this state,” Johnson said about his break. “Sometimes people either burn out, or they get too comfortable where they’re at. It’s not good.”

Mace said he is seeking another term because he likes “working for the public good” and wants to expand upon the infrastructure projects in place and youth programming that he enjoys. 

Johnson shared a similar sentiment, stating that he enjoys the programs Tusten Social has for the youth and elderly. 

“My wife told me I had to,” Johnson jokingly said about why he’s seeking out another term. More seriously, he said, “We’ve got a lot of big projects and a lot of big money.” 

What does a supervisor do? 

Mace said he starts his day by looking through emails for about an hour before working on projects like the sewer plant package moratoriums.

Johnson said his day-to-day responsibilities vary, as his job is not a typical nine to five. On a normal day, Johnson said he meets with various people, including his board, the parks committee and the Department of Health, and attends bid openings. 

“It’s no heavy lifting,” he said.

Mace said his favorite part of being town supervisor was the collaboration with the parks and recreation department. Some exciting projects included new pavilions and playgrounds at Lake Ida Park, bingo for kids and adults and eight free weeks of skiing for kids. 

Conversely, Mace remarked that paying for projects is the most challenging part of being a supervisor. 

“You have to be very respectful as you’re spending other people’s money,” Mace said. “We have a fiduciary responsibility. So I am always aware of every expense.” 

When asked what makes a good leader, both supervisors had similar answers.

“I know I’m doing things well when my department heads call me up before there’s an issue,” Johnson said. “Communication is good leadership.” 

Mace said a good leader leads by example, has a good work ethic and a passion for what they do. 

“Good leaders don’t look for followers; good leaders look to make more great leaders,” he said.

The future 

The biggest upcoming challenge facing Tusten is finances, according to Johnson. Paying off projects like the highway project near Little Lake Erie and replacing a bridge near DeMauro Ln are costly, he explained. 

Mace said in the Town of Thompson, a large upcoming project would be the Town Line Solar. The Town Line Solar project is a proposed 200 mega-watt solar and battery storage facility that would be in the towns of Thompson and Forestburgh. 

“I’m happy that we’re working with the county and Forestburgh,” Mace said.

In regards to potential town data center moratoriums, Johnson explained that the way Tusten’s zoning laws are currently written prevent a data center being built in the town.

In Thompson, Mace said that the town already struggles with water and electricity, so it doesn’t seem like the ideal place for it. 

“But you never know, so we are monitoring the situation,” he commented.

Election day is on November 3. Tusten residents can vote at the Tusten Town Hall. Thompson residents can vote in Thompson Town Hall, Monticello Firehouse or Sullivan County Government Building depending on their election district.

More information on where to vote can be found here.