The historic Andes Hotel in Delaware County is preparing for a change in ownership, while a dispute over Tannersville’s annual car show in Greene County has brought allegations of disparaging comments by village officials into the public spotlight.

Matthew Avitabile, editor and publisher of The Mountain Eagle, joined Radio Catskill’s Patricio Robayo to discuss both stories as part of a new weekly partnership highlighting news from across the Catskills.

Andes Hotel Prepares for New Ownership

After six years of ownership, Derek Curl is preparing to sell the restaurant and bar operations at the Andes Hotel to a group of investors with ties to the community.

According to Avitabile, Curl plans to retain ownership of another portion of the property and remain involved in the Andes community.

During his ownership, Curl oversaw major renovations to the hotel, brought in professional chefs and helped transform a former dirt parking lot into a courtyard used for community gatherings.

The hotel has also become a gathering place for local celebrations, including an annual Christmas tree lighting that Avitabile said has attracted approximately 600 people in recent years.

Curl’s influence has extended beyond the hotel. He has supported the Andes Food Pantry, local schools, the Andes Public Library and other community organizations.

Avitabile said Curl received interest from 18 potential buyers but wanted to ensure the hotel’s next owners would remain committed to the community.

“Finding a buyer wasn’t just about dollars and cents,” Avitabile said during the interview.

Curl’s departure from daily operations comes after a period of considerable change in Andes. Avitabile described him as an unofficial mayor because of his involvement in local organizations and events.

According to The Mountain Eagle, Curl reflected on his connection to the community during a recent interview with reporter Robert Brune.

Eleven years after moving to the area, Curl said Andes had given him a sense of belonging.

“Save my soul, and Andes, New York, saved me,” Curl said, as recounted by Avitabile.

Approximately 200 people attended a recent gathering celebrating Curl’s contributions.

The identities of the incoming owners and their plans for the property have not yet been publicly detailed in the interview. The Mountain Eagle plans to continue following the transition.

Tannersville Car Show Sparks Debate Over Main Street Closure

Meanwhile, in Greene County, a dispute over Tannersville’s annual classic car show has expanded into a broader controversy involving village leadership.

The annual event, which requires closing portions of Main Street, has drawn criticism from at least one local business owner who said the road closure negatively affected her business.

Avitabile said the disagreement became a major topic during a recent Tannersville Village Board meeting.

Village Trustee Gil Adler conducted a Facebook survey to gather feedback about the event and its effect on businesses and residents.

According to Avitabile, 35 business owners responded. Of those, 20 percent said they supported the car show and benefited financially, while another 10 percent supported it despite reporting lower sales during the event.

Another 20 percent were neutral, and 50 percent opposed the Main Street closure.

Among surveyed residents of the Town of Hunter, including Tannersville, 74 percent expressed support for the car show.

The survey was an informal effort to gather public feedback rather than a scientific poll.

Adler said village officials should work to balance the needs of local businesses with community events, including discussions about scheduling and logistics.

Alleged Text Messages Intensify Village Board Dispute

The controversy took another turn when Trustee George Kelly, who previously served as deputy mayor, presented what he described as text messages exchanged among village officials.

According to Avitabile, the messages appeared to contain disparaging remarks attributed to Mayor Lee McGonagle about a local business owner who had complained about the car show.

The messages also reportedly included comments criticizing the Hunter Foundation and businesses affected by the street closure.

Avitabile said Kelly distributed copies of the messages during the meeting and criticized the language as “disgusting and abhorrent.”

The Mountain Eagle reviewed copies of the messages, which Avitabile said appeared authentic.

The newspaper contacted McGonagle for comment. According to Avitabile, the mayor responded that the exchange was intended to be private and was not directed at any particular person.

Reporter Max Oppen subsequently asked the mayor about the apparent distribution of the messages through a group thread that included village officials. Avitabile said the mayor did not respond to that follow-up question.

The dispute unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing disagreements among village officials.

Avitabile said McGonagle and Kelly have clashed over several issues, including village operations and the authority of trustees to direct public works employees.

Tannersville is scheduled to hold village elections in March 2027, including an election for mayor.

Whether the political disagreements will lead to a contested mayoral race remains unclear.

Avitabile said the latest controversy could continue generating discussion in the months ahead as residents and officials debate the relationship between local government, businesses and community events.

Radio Catskill will feature reporting and conversations with The Mountain Eagle on a weekly basis, covering developments affecting communities across the Catskills.

Editor’s Note: This story is based on an October 8, 2026, interview with Matthew Avitabile, editor and publisher of The Mountain Eagle, whose newspaper originally reported these developments. The text messages discussed in the Tannersville controversy were reviewed by The Mountain Eagle but have not been independently verified by Radio Catskill.