ONEONTA—When residents in the Town of Davenport enter the voting booth for the 2025 General Election on November 4, they will see three local offices on the ballot: Town Supervisor, Town Council Member, and Superintendent of Highways. All of the candidates are running for re-election.
The Mountain Eagle recently caught up with the candidates to learn more about them and their ambitions for Davenport.
Timothy S. Kelso has been in the Town Supervisor position for the past two years. He succeeded longtime supervisor Dennis Valente following Valente’s passing in 2023. Kelso is a lifelong resident of Davenport and East Meredith. He retired from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services after 31 years, where he was a supervisor and administrator.
Explaining what he hopes to achieve in another twoyear term as supervisor, Kelso said:
“We have two grants out there we’re waiting for. We just got one grant approved for a new Generac for the town highway department. We’re working on getting a sand shed built. And just continue to make improvements and work with the people in the town of Davenport.”
Kelso said that fixing the water district in the village of Davenport is currently his greatest concern. He added that he feels optimistic about Davenport’s progress, including hoping to attract more businesses to the Route 23 corridor near Oneonta.
There are two Town Council Member positions open. Current council members Norman A. Schubert, R, and Jacklyn R. Losie, R, are both running to retain their seats.
Norman Schubert is a cattle farmer and a retired state employee. He is also a former member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He has been in office for nearly two years currently. He previously served on the Town Council back in the early 2000s.
Schubert is particularly concerned about taxes:
“I hope to see our taxes stay within 2% and that only essential services are funded and provided.”
He also shares Town Supervisor Kelso’s concerns about the water district.
“Right now the water district is a real challenge that has needs,” he said, adding, “hopefully grant funding will meet those needs.”
Schubert also said that “Davenport has great potential for growth in the west end with Oneonta growing outward to the east.”
When asked why he is running for re-election to the town council, Schubert said,
“I see it as giving back Continued on D10 something to my community.”
Town Council Member Jacklyn Losie declined to comment for this article.
Superintendent of Highways Fred Utter is seeking re-election as well. He has been a Davenport resident since 1968. He has served the highway superintendent role since 2008. Utter drives Continued on A8
Jessica Watson Debora Ballard John Kosieri Kenneth Muthig Miglianti McMullen
Everything on the Ballot in Harpersfield in 2025
ONEONTA—On November 4, voters entering the polls in Harpersfield will find two local offices on the ballot. Heidi R. Stevens, R, is running for re-election as the Town Clerk/Collector. And Donna M. Van-Sickell, D, and Dwayne C. Hill, Farm and Family, are running for re-election to their two seats on Town Council.
The Mountain Eagle spoke with the three candidates recently to learn more about their backgrounds and their goals for Harpersfield.
Heidi Stevens has held the Town Clerk and Tax Collector position since the beginning of this year, January 1, 2025. She was appointed to the office following the mid-term retirement of Linda Goss. It is her first position in political office. The 2025 General Election is Stevens’ first time running for clerk/collector.
Stevens has lived in Harpersfield for nearly nine years now. She has “grown to love the community and the residents who reside here,” she said. She wishes to stay in the clerk/collector position “to continue to be able to serve the community.”
