Election recap
Residents opt to stay with the status quo

by Terry Duffy
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, November 10, 2007

Despite the calls for change, as voiced by the candidates, and definitely seen in the countless political advertisements bombarding households over recent months, the majority of northern Niagara County residents opted to stay with the status quo and returned virtually all incumbents to their respective offices in the various county and town races.

According to unofficial results of Tuesday’s races, furnished by the Niagara County Board of Elections, starting on the county level, residents did vote in some newcomers as former DA Matthew Murphy III (R,C,I, WF), who ran unopposed, won election to the Niagara County Court Judge seat with 36,867 votes cast. John F. Batt (R, C, I) of Lockport took the Niagara County Family Court Judge post over challenger Linda M. DiPasquale (D, WF) by a count of 20,116 to 19,587.

Incumbent County Clerk Wayne F. Jagow (R, I, C, WF) who also ran unopposed, won re-election to the seat with 26,332 votes, while political newcomer, attorney Michael J. Violante (R, I, C), again running unopposed, won the District Attorney’s seat with 24,104 votes cast.

Legislature Races

Moving onto the county legislature races, residents returned the incumbents in northern Niagara’s three districts, starting with Jason J. Murgia (D, I, C,) winning in the 1st District, with 1,058 votes to 826 for Robert A. Marasco (R, WF).

Incumbent John D. Ceretto (D, I, WF) won re-election to the 12th District seat in a spirited race over Democrat newcomer Jerry Mosey by a margin of 1,528 to 1,358 votes cast. “I’m very thankful, very appreciative to the people who have returned me,” Ceretto said. “I’m also hopeful for a bright future. There are many positives.”

Among these, Ceretto notes, are the fact that that the county’s tax rate continues to drop; there has been moderate growth in Niagara’s economy with new activity both in the Falls and at the airport, the county has a balanced budget, and there are more prospects than ever for better jobs in the future.

“In my past 12 years in office there has been a lot of positives,” Ceretto reflected, adding he wants Lewiston to continue to progress further. Among his goals for next term is a focus on further improving the area’s economy and employment picture. One area he revisited was recent efforts to relocate the New York Power Authority’s headquarters to Lewiston from White Plains. “The Power Authority belongs here,” Ceretto said. “Together with what we have been already doing (economically) at the county level, it could bring many benefits. The more jobs we can create here, the better.”

‘Great Opportunity’

His opponent, Mosey, who marked his second attempt for political office, both unsuccessful, expressed his appreciation to area residents on the latest endeavor. “It was a great opportunity, an invaluable experience,” said Mosey.

“This loss is also a win,” Mosey added, as he looked at the numbers. “I’m very pleased with meeting so many new faces who wanted me to serve as their voice at the county level. That is very big for me.”

Mosey closed by saying he didn’t see himself getting all that involved in any political efforts in the near future. “No immediate plans; it seems right now I’m more involved in the community than ever,” Mosey said. He also added he’d like to return to completing some of his book writing efforts.

In other county races, in the 13th District, incumbent Clyde Burmaster (R,I,C) was re-elected to office by a 1,493 to 1,265-vote margin over newcomer Ann Oaks (D, PC). Burmaster was unavailable to comment as the Sentinel went to press yesterday.

Lewiston Races

Moving on to town races, residents again chose the status quo, with virtually all incumbents returned to their respective offices in Lewiston and Porter.

Fred Newlin (D, LC), who campaigned on Lewiston’s brighter economic picture, with such successes as the 50-year NYPA settlement package for residents, no town taxes, low-cost power, and increased spending for the library and others, won re-election as town supervisor over his challenger, former Lewiston Police Chief Ron Winkley (R, I, C, WF), by a count of 2,404 to 2,082.

In a statement, Newlin expressed his appreciation to town residents for their support in this close race that featured two very well regarded figures in the Lewiston community

“I am overwhelmed and humbled by the support of Lewiston’s residents,” Newlin said. “It is a great honor to serve them and help make Lewiston a stronger and better community. I believe that in many ways I was the underdog in the election, running against a very well known person. A lot of political insiders in Lewiston and throughout Niagara County didn’t think I had a chance. Fortunately, it’s the people that decide elections, not political insiders.

“I believe my victory was in part a stamp of approval of the remarkable progress Lewiston has made over the last four years under my leadership. The reduction of home electrical power bills, the elimination of the town tax, and the strong bipartisan approach to Lewiston’s issues the Town Board has demonstrated over my first two terms.

“I also believe Tuesday was in part a referendum on the trucking issue,” said Newlin, referring to continuing dialogue the town has had with Modern Corporations (see related story). “There is no question the trucking and waste interests were strongly backing my opponent. Residents can rest assured that in me they have elected a supervisor who will continue to defend their interests and stand up to these trucking and waste firms when their actions negatively impact the safety and quality of life of our residents.

“I’d like to thank the residents of Lewiston for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve them in the years ahead. I’m very lucky to represent the best town in New York and will continue to work as hard as I can for its residents.”

Easy Wins

Veteran incumbent Carol Brandon (D, LC) was returned to the Town Clerk’s office by a relatively wide margin over challenger Kristine M. Hatfield (R,I,C,WF), with a count of 2,399 to 1,723 votes cast.

Likewise, incumbent Lewiston Town Board members Ernie Palmer (R, I, C) and Michael Johnson (D,WF) enjoyed easy wins, with 2,586 and 2,502 votes cast respectively over challengers Justin Birmingham (R, I, C) and Mark Sarro (D, WF).

And Lewiston Town Justices Hugh Gee and Thomas Sheeran both enjoyed wide support on all party lines, with Gee netting 4,067 votes and Sheeran, 3,927 – the highest counts of all Lewiston candidates.

Town Highway Superintendent Steve Reiter (R, I, C) wrapped the Lewiston races with an impressive win over newcomer David J. Knapp (D, LC), by a count of 2,826 to 1,542.

Moving onto Porter, Gail Zachary (R, I, C), a long-time familiar face at Town Hall, won the Town Clerk’s office rather convincingly over newcomer Michelle Minarcin (D, PC) by a count of 1,111 to 524.

Baker, White Victorious

On the Town Board, incumbents Jeff Baker and Larry White (both R, I, C) won re-election with counts of 990 and 861 votes respectively, over Democratic and Positive Change challengers Bill Choboy and Sandra Tuck, who netted 822 votes and 550.

“I feel pretty good, that people felt we’ve been doing a good job,” said Baker, who also spoke for White. “I guess they (Porter residents) weren’t ready for Positive Change.”

Getting serious, Baker said he felt that residents didn’t put that much weight into the various forms of negativity seen, saying “We kept a very clean campaign – people heard it and saw it. I was very happy the way we did.”

Town Highway Superintendent Scott Hillman (R, I, C), who ran unopposed, took 1,163 votes to win re-election.

Wrapping up, on the state level, county voters approved Proposition No. 1 -- a measure amending the constitution to allow use of forest preserve lands for wells for a municipal water supply project in Hamilton County, by a count of 13,207 for to 6,603 against.

And for State Supreme Court Justice, neck-and-neck winners included Frank Caruso and Rose M. Sconiers (both D, R, I, WF) with 31,734 and 31,218 county votes cast respectively. James Dillon (D, I, C) rounded out the victors for this office with 19,270 votes cast.