GOP prevails in Lewiston, Porter

by Terry Duffy and Joshua Maloni
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, November 7, 2009

Election Day in Niagara, as one would expect, had its highs and lows for candidates and voters, this year greatly depending on their affiliation.

According to still unofficial tabulations reported by the Niagara County Board of Elections, it saw Republican dominance with wins in many towns, notably in Lewiston and Porter election results.

In Lewiston, voters opted for change and, despite a generally soft turnout at the polls, they swept out the Town Board Democratic majority. Steve Reiter, R, C, Working Families, a popular figure who currently serves as town highway superintendent, won a contested race for town supervisor over incumbent Fred Newlin, D, Lewiston’s Choice. And voters elected Mike Marra, R, I, C, as a new council member, and returned incumbent Town Board member Alphonso Bax, D, R, I, C, Working Families, to the board, giving the GOP a 4-1 majority.

“I’m just in awe … humbled by the people coming out of their homes to take the time to vote for me,” said Reiter, who more than edged out Newlin, with a count of 2,053 votes, or 54.70 percent, to 1,457 or 34.73 percent. Kathryn L. Mazierski, I, finished third with 243 votes, or 6.47 percent of the vote. Absentee tabulations were not included.

The race was viewed as heated going in, with party politicking among Newlin and Reiter interests seen at board meetings, in voters’ mailboxes and in the press in the weeks going in. However, Election Day turnout was low, with elections inspectors in several of the town’s 13 districts reporting turnout in the 25-30 percent range throughout the day. “It’s been slow,” commented inspector Barbara Carter as just a handful stood in line in dinner-hour voting at the Village of Lewiston Red Brick.

But celebration reigned at the Republican victory party Tuesday night at the Village Pub. Mazierski, who was among several on hand to congratulate Reiter, was upbeat on her campaign. “It was a great race, It was a great exercise for me to introduce myself to the public,” she said. “People know who I am now. I’m pleased with my showing, being a newcomer.”

“And it’s not the end of me; I’ll be back,” she added.

On the Town Board, it was enthusiasm and high expectations for both Bax and Marra who won the two contested seats. Bax, who saw endorsement by the two major parties, finished at top in the vote count with 2,901, or 44.64 percent. “I’m very excited to move forward,” he said. “I believe the next four years will be good times for the town.”

Marra, who serves as a Village of Lewiston trustee and won the second seat with 2,257 votes, or 34.73 percent, agreed. “I’m excited about the opportunity the voters in the Town of Lewiston have given me,” he said. “I’ll certainly do my best to serve them well. I will address every issue that comes about, and I’ll try to be as informed as I can. I certainly understand the ramifications of every vote I make. I’ll try to serve them well; that’s what public service is all about.”

Dave Sanchez, D, WF, rounded out the Town Board voting with 1,341 cast, or 20.63 percent, to finish third.

In voting for town receiver of taxes and assessments, incumbent Joan C. Stephens, D, R, C, I, who ran unopposed, won with 3,057 votes, or 100 percent.

For the GOP, the exuberance prevailed. In the 12th District Niagara County Legislator’s race, where John D. Ceretto, R, I, C, WF, won with 1,545 votes, or 64.40 percent, to 854, or 35.60 percent, for Dan Antonucci, D, Lewiston’s Choice.

Ceretto expressed both satisfaction and appreciation on the win. “It’s very rewarding, watching the results tonight. It’s rewarding because I’m doing what the people want me to do, and they have showed that tonight,” he said.

“It feels good,” he added, “I’m excited, pleased that I won. I really love this job of representing the people of this community. I’m looking forward to doing a lot of nice things … there’s more to come.”

Meanwhile, over at Water Street Landing the mood was more somber. As Town of Lewiston Democratic Committee Chairwoman Diane Roberts and assistant Anthony Leone tallied votes on a giant white board in the corner of the Sidebar, Newlin saw the handwriting on the wall. With about half the numbers posted, the incumbent supervisor said, “I’ve lost. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

He conceded the GOP spent a sizable amount of money (he estimates up to $40,000) promoting his opponent. When asked why he was such a large target, Newlin said, “I’m surprised myself.”

Though some have speculated otherwise, he didn’t think an anonymous, Reiter-bashing letter mailed last week came back to hurt him. Newlin did say, however, that some of the anti-Reiter literature was “more vicious than was necessary.”

In terms of soliciting votes, he said, “I can’t control what other people do. I ran a clean campaign.”

Though disappointed with the election result, Newlin was upbeat in reflecting on his term in office.

“As times goes on, people will appreciate more what we’ve done in the past six years,” he said.

Regarding the future, Newlin said he would take a pause from politics. “This job is all consuming,” he said. Newlin described the past two months as “grueling” and added, “I could use a little break.”

At Water Street Landing, Newlin made time to buoy the spirits of his fellow Dems, Antonucci and Sanchez – both of whom were pleased with their respective first forays into politics.

“I had absolutely the best time with this campaign,” Antonucci said. “It was a terrific experience.”

With some canvassing under his belt now, Antonucci said he would consider a second go-around.

“Now that I have the experience and know-how, I would seriously consider running again,” he said, making a point to congratulate Ceretto on his victory.

Sanchez, likewise, said the process was “a great experience. I’m happy with the campaign we ran.”

Neither one of them could explain the seemingly light turnout at the polls from their political party.

“I wish I had an answer for that,” Sanchez said.

“I’m disappointed by the Democrat turnout,” Antonucci said.

In other races, the GOP prevailed in Porter, with town Supervisor Merton Wiepert winning an uncontested race for town supervisor with 816 votes, or 100 percent. On the Town Board, newcomer Joseph Fleckenstein, R, C, finished first with 703 votes, or 27.91 percent, and incumbent Tom Baia R, I, C, was returned to office with 684 votes, or 27.15 percent. Democrat, Positive Change challengers Tony Collard and Beverley Van Deusen finish third and fourth, with 576 votes, or 22.87 percent, and 556, or 22.07, respectively.

Incumbent Town of Porter Justice Dave Truesdale, D, R, I, C, who ran unopposed, won re-election with 1,107 votes, or 100 percent, as did Porter Tax Collector Sally A. Hogan with 828 votes, or 100 percent.

And in voting in the Niagara County Legislature, 13th District, incumbent Clyde Burmaster, R, I, C, who ran unopposed, won with 1,425 votes, or 100 percent.

For overall county races and results in other towns, visit the Niagara County Board of Elections Web site, www.elections.niagara.ny/us.