Incumbents win in town of Niagara, Wheatfield

Republicans sweep elections in Wheatfield

by Ralph Schwarz
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune

Voters in the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield demonstrated strong support for and confidence in their town and county officials, judging from Tuesday's election results.
With 100 percent of the voting machines in the seven districts in the town of Niagara and 11 districts in Wheatfield reporting, the unofficial results released by the Niagara County Board of Elections yesterday showed all incumbent candidates in the two towns returning for another term.

The following tallies, which were obtained at press-time, however, do not reflect write-in votes, absentee or affidavit ballots and are subject to machine recanvassing.

Town of Niagara Results

In the town of Niagara, Town Supervisor Steven Richards, who ran unopposed, saw his successful work reflected as he was re-elected for another two-year term with 1,163 votes.
The race for one of two open seats on the Town Board, however, developed into a nail biter as incumbent Councilman La Vern Haseley (R) edged his challenger Jeffrey Incorvia (D) by 901 to 891 votes.

"I thought that it was going to be a close race, but I didn't think that it would be that close," Haseley said. "I'm just very happy that people came out and voted for me."

Despite his apparent win, Haseley remained cautious, knowing that the final results could still change because of absentee ballots.

"We made a race out of it," he said.

Incumbent Councilman Wallace Blake took the other open seat on the Town Board with an impressive 1,329 votes.

"I feel very honored that people put their faith and confidence in me and the team," Blake said. "I'm looking forward to the next four years because there are going to be a lot of good things happening in the town of Niagara."

With the make-up of the Town Board appearing to be set, Richards commended all candidates for their campaigns.

"I think all the candidates who ran for Town Council should be congratulated," he said. "It was a clean, issue-oriented campaign. And while the results are unofficial at this time, I'm looking forward to working again with La Vern and Wally."

In the race for town justice in the town of Niagara, incumbent Town Justice James Faso crushed challenger Mary Martinez with 1,325 to 523 votes.

"I'm very happy that the people in the town of Niagara realized what a job I've done in the last 14 years," Faso said. "They came out and showed support for me, and you can see that by the numbers on the board."

Having been criticized of unfair campaigning by his opponent in the weeks leading up to the elections, Faso delivered a brief, yet sincere apology.

"There have been some things that went on that I wasn't really happy about," he said. "I want to apologize from my heart for whatever came out [the people] thought wasn't right. I tried to do things very clean, and, actually, I was out of town three of the last four weeks because I didn't want to be involved in what we call 'dirty politics.'"

Other races of note in the town of Niagara saw incumbent Town Clerk Sylvia Virtuoso, incumbent Highway Superintendent Michael Moyer and incumbent Tax Collector Pamela Weigel returned to office with 1,367 votes, 1,086 votes and 3,195 votes, respectively.

Wheatfield Results

In Wheatfield, voters rewarded incumbent Town Supervisor Timothy Demler (R) with a fifth consecutive term, making him only the fourth supervisor in town history to achieve this feat.
" I am honored and humbled tonight," Demler said. "We have a mandate from the people to continue the policies we started eight years ago."

Demler won his fifth term in a convincing fashion by defeating challenger Wesley Norman (D) with 2,575 to 1,004 votes.

" That tells me that the people of this town are happy with the job we've done together as a team," he said.

With incumbent Councilmen Gilbert Doucet (R) and Larry Helwig (R) defeating the Democratic candidates, the Republican makeup of the Wheatfield Town Board remains intact.

" Tonight the people have spoken and said, 'We want more of the same government we had for the last eight years,'" Demler said. "I think keeping a Republican board is important to continue our policies. Sure, we differ from time to time on certain issues, but the important thing is that we are working hard together to make Wheatfield a better place."

Doucet and Helwig received 2,460 and 2,311 votes respectively, to the 1,192 and 899 votes accumulated by their challengers Joseph Pilliterre II (D) and Joseph Caridi (D).
" I feel overwhelmed by being the top vote-getter," said Doucet who conducted a grassroots campaign going from door to door across Wheatfield together with Helwig, Niagara County Legislator Bill Ross and Wheatfield Highway Superintendent Arthur Kroening.

" We walked about 90 to 95 percent of the town," Helwig said. "And that's what you got to do in Wheatfield. We walked the town and our efforts paid off."

Helwig pointed out that a successful record of the Wheatfield town government during the last eight years also helped.

" We reduced taxes 23 percent throughout that time, for example," he said. "The town is the benefactor of everything we do, and people recognize that we are doing a good job."
Incumbent Highway Superintendent Kroening, who run unopposed, was re-elected for another four-year term, receiving 2,792 votes.

" For the next four years, I plan on doing all I can to improve the safety on the highways of Wheatfield," he said. "We are trying to make the highways as safe as possible and keep improving the town's highway department. I'm a working superintendent and I'm not afraid to get out there and get my hands dirty working for the people."

Other races of note in Wheatfield saw incumbent Town Clerk DeEtte Ferchen and incumbent Town Justice Robert Cliffe return to office with 3,208 and 3,195 votes, respectively.

Niagara County Legislature Result

In the race for the Niagara County Legislature, voters in the towns of Niagara and Wheatfield, voters re-elected incumbent Legislators Danny Sklarski (6th District) and Bill Ross (8th District).

Sklarski who represents the town of Niagara and part of Wheatfield cleanly beat challenger John Adams by 2,138 to 574 votes.

" I'm very grateful for the tremendous results we had in my district," Sklarski said. "I appreciate the confidence that the residents have had in me, and I will do my best to live up to their expectations."

Ross, who represents Wheatfield in the County Legislature, defeated challenger Jerry McCormick by 1,528 to 761 votes.

"I'm looking forward to serving two good years in the Niagara County Legislature," he said.

Like Helwig, Ross saw the key to his success in taking his campaign to the streets.

"I brought my message to the people," Ross said. "We weren't looking for pictures in the paper or advertising to hand out, we went to the doors. And when you bring your message to the people, they remember who you are; and they remember who you are when they go to the polls."