Village of Lewiston: GOP takes four of five spots in election

by Joshua Maloni

This July, the Village of Lewiston Board will have a brand-new look.

On Tuesday, 20-year trustee Terry Collesano was voted mayor. Newcomers Ernie Krell, a Republican, and Therese (Terri) Mudd, a Democrat, will join him on the municipality's governing board. Elected GOP incumbents Bruce Sutherland and Vic Eydt round out the team.

Each will be sworn-in on July 6.

"I think it's a good board," Collesano said. He singled out Mudd, the lone Democrat, saying, "I'm glad for her and her family. I think she'll be an asset to the board."

The new mayor ran unopposed and garnered 455 votes.

Sutherland, with 330 votes, and Eydt, 303 votes, will serve on the board for the next four years. The former Planning Board members were appointed last year to fill a pair of unexpected trustee vacancies. This election represented the first time they were voted into office by village residents.

"I think it was a good turnout," Sutherland said of the 583 total votes cast. "I really appreciate the support of everyone."

Eydt, who went door-to-door campaigning with Sutherland, echoed that thought. He also admitted to some pre-election butterflies. "I'm just ecstatic now that it's over," he said.

"We're giving the village back to the people," Eydt added.

Democrats Claudia Marasco (255 votes) and Chris Bartolomei (213) finished third and fourth in the race for a four-year term.

Krell was the top vote-getter for a two-year seat, netting 330 votes.

"I'm excited," he said, noting he's looking forward to continued "growth and integrity" within the village.

"I'd really like to see the Frontier House get re-established as the place to be," Krell said.

Mudd, running for the first time in a Village of Lewiston election, earned 276 votes. She said her gender and political affiliation were not a hindrance, as they were in the 1960s, when she first ran for elected office in the Town of Lewiston.

"None of that factored," she said. "It's a very nice feeling."

Arbitrating objectively, Mudd said, is what excites her most about the next two years. She said she's looking forward to "the responsibility of hearing everybody and seeing that all sides are considered."

Republican Ron Craft, who was also appointed by the board, finished third with 128 votes.

Lewiston GOP Committee Chairman Rob Nichols said the election produced a good mix of leaders.

"I think the people spoke," he said.

Nichols said he's pleased Sutherland and Eydt will have the opportunity to complete projects they've begun as trustees.

"They will continue to serve the board well," he said.

Collesano takes over for Bill Geiben, who carried out the remainder of Richard Soluri's term as mayor. He said the elected officials are "anxious to get our feet in, and start digging in."