Republicans may take control of County Legislature
By ROBERT RIZZUTO, Special to the OBSERVER and NICHOLAS L. DEAN, OBSERVER Mayville BureauThe Republican Party looks poised to take control of the County Legislature.
Even if Democrats win the two close races in Legislative District 7 and Legislative District 11, a total of 13 Republicans look to be elected to the new term starting the first of the new year - 15 if absentee ballots put both Robert Stewart and William Prieto over Democrats Leon Beightol and Vickye James, respectively.
All Republican incumbents running for the County Legislature were re-elected to their seats Tuesday. Additionally, Republicans took several districts away from Democrats, predominantly in the northern end of the county where George Borrello and Robert Scudder ousted Democratic incumbents David Wilder and David Kleparek, respectively.
"I'm very thankful for all the people that support me and have supported me for many, many years out in my district," said Jay Gould, the District 19 legislator re-elected to represent the towns of Harmony, North Harmony and a portion of Busti. "I just have tremendous support and I really appreciate it. I don't get a chance to tell people that very often.
"I've been in the minority for 10 years and that's pretty devastating sometimes," Gould continued, addressing the apparent Republican takeover. "I sure would like to try the majority for a couple years just to see what it's like."
The former seat of Democrat Wally Huckno will go to a Republican, as Mark Tarbrake beat Democratic challenger and former Ellicott Town Supervisor Patrick Tyler. Democrats did, however, hold on to the seat of outgoing Fredonia Democrat Stephen Keefe. John Gullo beat Republican candidate Jacqueline Penfold-Williams.
Overjoyed, Tarbrake said he is looking forward to "working with Greg Edward's team," especially legislators Fred Croscut, R-Sherman and James Caflisch, R-French Creek.
In terms of other vacated seats, Lori Cornell beat Republican-backed Democrat Doug Champ for the Legislative District 12 seat in Jamestown and Democrat Paula DeJoy beat Cheryl Akin for Conservative Tina Hallquist's seat.
"I'm thrilled for the opportunity to represent the northside of Jamestown and grateful to all the voters who expressed their confidence in my candidacy," Mrs. Cornell said. "I will be working very hard to bring down the tax burden and strengthen the economy in Chautauqua County. I would also like to congratulate Doug Champ for running an excellent race and I hope he continues his efforts to make our community a better place. I think we have many common goals and I believe we can work together to accomplish them."
Prior to Edwards' acceptance speech, Industrial Development Agency Director Bill Daly said the election proved a "very, very important night" for Chautauqua County. Edwards echoed the sentiment, adding that if Republicans get the majority, when they get to Mayville in January, there will be "no stopping us."
In the District 7 race, Democratic incumbent Leon Beightol received 527 votes to Republican challenger Robert Stewart's 532 - with 21 absentee votes yet to come in. In the District 11 race, Democratic incumbent Vickye James received 298 votes to Republican challenger Bill Prieto's 287 - with 29 absentee ballots yet to come in.
"I'm very happy that the people in my district supported me again," said Fred Croscut, R-Sherman. "It's a real privilege to serve them again, but I do think that we have our work cut out for us and it looks like we may have a fairly good change to get in the majority. I think all our candidates have a lot to be thankful for, especially for the help they got from Greg Edwards. All our candidates worked very hard, got out there and worked for what they have accomplished. It will take a few days for everything to become official, but on the other hand, we'll all be returning to Mayville to work together - though I'll be very happy if we end up in the majority."
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Krasnitz
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11-04-09 11:40 PM
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If wishes were absentee ballots... D'Agostino will be very very happy.
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