Contested races get good turnouts

By Kathleen Barran / The Citizen

Wednesday, March 19, 2008 12:17 PM EDT

Contested village elections in three villages - Aurora, Cayuga, and Fair Haven - had good voter turnout.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Elections inspector Marie Fenner watches as Chris MacCormick, joined by his son Silas, casts his vote in the village of Aurora's elections for trustee on Tuesday evening.
Of 288 registered voters in Aurora, 127 elected two village trustees to four-year terms from among four contenders: Newcomer Lili MacCormick, with 82, led; incumbents George Farenthold (75) was re-elected and defeated, both incumbent Janet Murphy (71) and new candidate Sara Wells (40).

“I'm looking forward to working with the board and village as a whole,” MacCormick said about Aurora. “I thank the board for giving me this opportunity.”

MacCormick said getting access to the village park and resolving conflicts were top priorities.

“I'm delighted to be re-elected,” Farenthold said. “I now have the opportunity to continue all my work. It's fulfilling work. I love this village and I love this work. It's an honor and a pleasure to serve.”

In Cayuga, 113 of 320 registered voters came to the polls to elect two trustees to two-year terms in a four-way race.

Christopher Ryan, with 78, and incumbent Helen Day (77) won the trustee seats. William Sherman had 49 votes and Linda Uebelman had 16.

“It feels good,” Day said. “I've been on both sides, because three years ago, I lost. This election was a little nerve wracking. I put a lot of time and effort into the village the last couple of years. People know my record.”

“I wanted to get involved with the village and plan for the future and take what I think is a hidden jewel,” said Ryan, who is already on the village planning board. “It's a nice, tight-knit community. Our biggest asset is the lakes.”

Ryan is already thinking of the block party planned for May 24 and the Waterfront Festival on Aug. 9.

“I'm a good communicator and a good networker,” he said. “I can find the right people to get things done. I like to think outside the box.”

Fair Haven's pool of 541 registered voters had 105 go to the voting booth to choose from three candidates for two trustee positions. Incumbents Judith Dunaway (82 votes) and Walter J. Krehling (77) won the seats, Daniel Roberts had 31.

“I'm very pleased with the support I had and I'll work real hard to support the village residents,” Dunaway said. “I've been on the board for a year and I will continue with my existing duties. Right now we're working on the budget for the coming year. Right now there are concerns over the affordability of the new waterline. We are trying to get a grant, and the application for $400,000 has gone in.”

“We're going to work together as a board as we have in the past,” Krehling said, “and keep the taxes at a moderate rate. We're also going to do our best to improve the community and get some growth downtown. I can work as a liaison between people and bring their thoughts to the board. We're going to try and work to keep the costs down and help the people as much as we can.”

Incumbent Fair Haven Mayor William McVea, uncontested, garnered 58 votes.

Meridian's Edward Eppert ran in an off-election year to replace Thomas Fadden the former mayor who stepped down. He ran uncontested as 18 of 186 registered voters elected him. Walter Joshnski received two write-in votes.

“It's hands down winning,” Eppert said. “It's a total waste of the taxpayers' money,” he said of being the only candidate.

“We're going to try to get the fire department back in,” he said, with the Meridian Fire Department slated to close some time this year. He believed it might be a good idea to try to reinstate the fire department with the town of Cato.

In Port Byron, 33 of 688 registered voters turned out to reelect incumbents Jeffrey Girvin (27 votes) and Dwight Wethey (22).

The justice seat was retained by JoAnn Bell (27 votes).

Union Springs' 50 voters elected unopposed trustees Dawn Locastro (24) and Johan Lentonen (22).

A total of 116 voted in Weedsport, Jean Saroodis, unopposed incumbent, won for mayor (112).

Two four-year trustee positions sought by incumbents went to Chere Perkins (99) and Harry Hinman (87).

Geoffrey (Glen) Fritsch, with 102 votes, won the four-year justice position.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 or kathleen.barran@lee.net

Cayuga County village election results

AURORA

Trustee (top two are elected)

Lili MacCormick (I) 82

George Farenthold (D) 75

Janet Murphy (I) 71

Sara Wells (D) 40

Ann Burch (write-in) 1

George Fenner (write-in) 1

Jeremy Yann (write-in) 1

CAYUGA

Trustee (top two are elected)

Christopher Ryan 78

Helen Day 77

William Sherman 49

Linda Uebelman 16

FAIR HAVEN

Mayor

William McVea 58

Trustee (top two are elected)

Judith Dunaway 82

Walter J. Krehling 77

Daniel Roberts 31

MERIDIAN

Mayor

Edward Eppert 16

Walter Joshanski (write-in) 2

PORT BYRON

Trustee

Jeffrey Girvin 27

Dwight Wethey 22

Justice

JoAnn Bell 27

SKANEATELES

Trustee

Sue Jones 220

Kathryn Carlson 203

John Cromp 168

UNION SPRINGS

Trustee (top two are elected)

Dawn Locastro 24

Johan Lentonen 22

Dean Tanner 1

Kim Willis 1

Jason Halverson 1

WEEDSPORT

Mayor

Jean Saroodis 112

Trustee (top two are elected)

Chere Perkins 99

Harry Hinman 87

Justice

Geoffrey (Glen) Frisch 102

Andy Maltese (write-in) 1

The Citizens' Say

Post your comment - click here

There are 3 comment(s)

Auroran wrote on Mar 21, 2008 7:27 PM:

" Wrong. Not enoughpeople care. There are 288 registered voters in the Village of Aurora. And only 127 voted. Read the second sentence of the article. "

Farmer's Gal wrote on Mar 20, 2008 12:29 PM:

" People must care in Aurora -- there are only about 300 permanent, year-round residents in Aurora, and 268 voted. Of course, I hear a bunch of students voted -- I hope the elections folks made sure these voters were all registered to vote as locals in all elections. It hardly seems fair that anyone would be allowed to vote for some things in the community where they live and for other things in the community where they go to school.

(Since they are currently on break, seems likely all would be "kosher;" i.e. students who were actually here to vote this week probably live here.) "

marsha wrote on Mar 19, 2008 1:44 PM:

" judging from the tiny voter turnout in Cayuga and Union Springs, apathy is still alive and well there. Lot more critics than voters though I am sure. "

REGISTRATION IS FREE.
Registered users sign in here:
*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
 
Unregistered users can register here:

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
 
E-Citizen
E-Edition
Wheels Etc.
Find a vehicle
Hot Jobs
Find a Job
Homes Etc.
Find a Home
TV Week
Find a program
Search Classifieds
Find, Buy
Place a Classified Ad
Sell
Skaneateles Journal
The Journal
New! Best Bridal
Here comes the bride. . .
Liven Up the Holidays
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaa
Logo HereNew! Off the Menu
Good Eatin'!
Newspaper Ads
See it again
CNY Boats Etc.
Achors aweigh!
Sections
Special Sections

Top Jobs

The Citizen Copyright ©2009
A division of Lee Publications, Inc.
25 Dill Street
Auburn, NY 13021

Contact Us

Add to My Yahoo!