AUBURN -- Newly elected District 6 Legislator Roger Mills accepted his appointment as the next Cayuga County Legislature chairman Wednesday.

Mills, R-Owasco, was challenged only by city Democrat Daniel Schuster, who recieved all three minority party votes for the one-year term. Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, was not challenged for an appointment as Legislature vice chairman.

The Republicans designated newcomer Michael Chapman of Cato as majority leader. Fellow freshman Legislator Patrick Mahunik, D-Auburn, was selected minority leader.

With the swearing in of nine legislators Wednesday -- four of them incumbents -- Republicans outnumber Democrats 12-3 on the board.

For more, read Thursday's Citizen