Chenango Voters Head To The Polls Today
Published: November 3rd, 2009
By: Melissa Stagnaro

Chenango voters head to the polls today

CHENANGO COUNTY – Registered voters across Chenango County will take to the polls today to determine the outcomes of town races all throughout the county. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

County-Wide

Voters will have few choices on the county portion of the ballot, as candidates for each of the three positions being decided are running unopposed. For County Court Judge, Republican W. Howard Sullivan is seeking re-election, as is incumbent County Clerk Mary C. Weidman, a Democrat. Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr., a Republican, is seeking his first elected term in office.

City of Norwich

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In the City of Norwich, Mayor Joseph P. Maiurano, a Republican, is running unopposed for re-election. Ward 2 Alderman Terry J. Bresina and Ward 4 Alderman Walter P. Schermerhorn, both Republicans, are also seeking re-election without opposition.

In the City’s sixth ward, incumbent Robert M. Jeffrey is being challenged by newcomer Daniel J. Palmer. Jeffrey, a Republican, is also running under an Independent line entitled, “Quality of Neighborhood.” Palmer is on the ballot on the Independent line, “No Bull.”

City residents will also be deciding who will represent them on the county board of supervisors. For the position of Supervisor for Wards 1, 2 and 3, Democratic incumbent James J. McNeil is being challenged by Republican Scott M. Sutton. McNeil is also running on an Independent line entitled, “Quality of Life,” while Sutton also appears on the Independent line, “Common Sense.”

Republican Linda E. Natoli is running unopposed to retain her position as Supervisor for Wards 4, 5 and 6.

Afton

In Afton, Republican Robert D. Briggs is running unopposed for his twelfth term as Town Supervisor.

Both Democrat Bob Tallmadge and Green Party Candidate Mary Jo Long are seeking reelection for their positions on the Afton Town Council. The two incumbents are being challenged by Republican newcomer John H. Lawrence.

Two Independent candidates, Pamela J. Wylubski and Rosemarie A. Klatz are vying for the office of Town Clerk. Wylubski is listed on a line entitled, “Bright Ideas;” Klatz as “Lucky.”

Democrat Lynn Shultis is running unopposed for town highway superintendent. Republican Joseph Palumbo is running unopposed to retain his position has one of the town’s two justices.

Bainbridge

In Bainbridge, Democrat Dolores Nabinger, a former town councilwoman, hopes to fill the town’s supervisor position being vacated by fellow Democrat Rick Chase. Town Clerk Deborah K. Hromada, Highway Superintendent Gary R. Richman, and Councilmen Robert G. Evans and Kenneth W. Barton, all Democrats, are running for re-election unopposed. Republican Gary F. Anderson is seeking his first elected term in office as Town Justice.

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Columbus

In Chenango County’s Northeast corner, all candidates are running unopposed to retain their respective positions. Supervisor George C. Coates, an Independent, is seeking his third term in office. Also running for re-election are Town Clerk Brenda L. Weidman, a Democrat, and Republican Councilmen Kavin E. Winton and Bruce E. Vermeulen. Superintendent of Highways Kevin D. Cross, also a Republic, is seeking another term in office as well.

For Coates, this will be his third term in office and the 12-year Columbus resident says he’s available to the community whenever they call.

Coventry

A three-way race exists in Coventry for the town’s top job. Third-term incumbent Janice O’Shea, a Republican who will appear on today’s ballot as a Democrat and on the Independent line “For Coventry,” is being challenged by Republican John Phelan and Independent Larry G. Clark.

Phelan, who was town supervisor from 1989 to 1997, is also registered to run on the independent line, “Liberty.”

In addition to the supervisor race, five candidates are vying for two town council slots, including incumbents Phyllis S. Lerwick and John B. Sanford, who will appear on the ballot as a Democrat and on an independent line, “For Coventry.” Challenging them are Republicans Robert Boudreau and George Broeg, as well as Conservative Patricia Fisk. Boudreau is also listed on an independent line entitled, “Liberty.”

Vying for the Superintendent of Highways position are Rodney S. Bolster, who be listed on an independent line entitled “Safer Highways,” and Richard M. Granger Jr., who will appear on the ballot as both a Democrat and a Republican, as well as the independent line “For Coventry.”

German

In un-contested races in the Town of German, Supervisor Richard C. Schlag is on the ballot for re-election, endorsed by both the town’s Democrats and Republicans. Town Clerk Ellen T. Maroney, Highway Superintendent Gerard R. Temple and Town Council Members Donald C. Nogva and Patricia Pittsley are also seeking re-election as well. In addition, Republican Dennis W. Carter is the sole candidate for Town Justice. No candidate is listed for the town’s vacant assessor position.

Greene

Greene Supervisor Jack T. Cook, a Republican, is running unopposed for what will be his third two-year term in office. There will be more competition for the vacancies on the town council, where four candidates, including the incumbent Republicans Joe Henninge and Josh Browning, will be battling it out for two slots with challengers Stephen L. Page, a Democrat, and Michael C. Flanagan, who is running on an Independent line entitled, “Common Sense.”

Guilford

In Guilford, George J. Seneck, a Republican, hopes to fill the late Alton B. Doyle’s position. He is being opposed, however, by another Republican candidate for supervisor, Dennis E. Martin, who is running on an independent line called, “Justice.”

A total of five candidates are vying for Guilford’s two town council seats. Incumbent Thomas Ives, a Republican, is seeking his second four-year term in office. Challenging his position, and trying for the seat being vacated by longtime Councilman Bruce Winsor, are Democrats Dolores Fuller and Richard Mackey, Republican Russell Heath and Celeste Aber, who is running on an Independent line entitled, “Justice.”

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Republican Gail Hoffman is running for her first elected term as Guilford’s town clerk, a position she was appointed to fill in May. Similarly, Republican Joan M. Kline is running to retain the town justice position she was appointed to in March. In addition, Guilford Town Justice David P. Daniels, a Republican, is seeking re-election.

Hoffman, Kline and Daniels are all running without opposition.

Lincklaen

Incumbent Town Clerk Jacqueline J. Rice is seeking re-election, as are Councilmen Dewey R. Hakes and Barry N. Monro on this year’s ballot in Lincklaen. All are Republicans.

McDonough

In McDonough, Town Supervisor Arrington Canor, a Republican, is seeking his third, 2-year term in office without opposition. Similarly, Councilmen Harvey DeForest and John Tracy, both Democrats, are also running unopposed.

Town Clerk Donna Preston, a Republican, and Town Highway Superintendent Larry H. Beckwith, a Democrat, are also un-challenged in their bids for re-election.

New Berlin

In New Berlin, Town Supervisor Ross P. Iannello is running unopposed for re-election on an Independent line entitled, “Open Door.” Also on the ballot are current Republican town council members Halys Davis and Robert Gardner. Both incumbents are seeking re-election unopposed.

North Norwich

In North Norwich, Supervisor Richard B. Decker is seeking his ninth term in office. The Republican, who has been the Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman for the last 12 years, is unopposed for his position.

Town Council incumbents Robert E. Wansor and Timothy P. Jeffrey, both Republicans, are also seeking re-election, as are Superintendent of Highways Albert B. Rounds, a Democrat, and Town Justice Joseph Eldred, a Republican.

Norwich

Running unopposed for his fourth term as Town of Norwich Supervisor is Republican David C. Law. Also running for re-election are Town Council Members Joanna Chiarino and Adam Evans, both Republicans. In addition, Assessor Mary C.E. Manley is seeking her position again, as is Tax Collector Barbara E. Annesi. Both will appear on the ballot as Republicans as well.

Republican candidate Martha L. Vidler is seeking her first term as Town Clerk. Newcomer Ronald G. Whaley, also a Republican, is making a run for Superintendent of Highways. Both are running unopposed.

Otselic

Democrat David J. Messineo is defending his three-term Supervisor’s seat Tuesday against four-term Otselic Councilmen Stanley E. Davis, a Republican. Messineo will also appear on today’s ballot on an Independent line entitled, “Common Sense.”

Two seats currently held by Republicans on the town council are also being challenged. Incumbent Herbert Neal and Charles “B.J.” Bishop – running to fill the seat vacated by Davis – are up against Democrats Calvin Hite and Michael Sheridan.

Democrat Nika M. Cole and Republican Viginia “Ginnie” MacFarland are vying for the town clerk position, while Superintendent of Highways Steven W. Forrest is running for re-election unopposed.

Oxford

In Oxford, Town Supervisor Lawrence N. Wilcox, a Republican, is seeking his sixth two-year term, for which he is running unopposed. Town Clerk James Hemstrought, Jr., a Democrat, and Republican Councilman John Hofmann are also seeking reelection, each for their third two-year term in their respective office. Democratic newcomer Larry A. Beckwith is seeking election to the remaining town council seat being vacated by Patrick Ryan.

Pharsalia

Democrat Dennis O. Brown is running unopposed for supervisor, a position he has held since 1983. Also running without opposition is Town Clerk Susie P. Granger.

There are two seats open on the town council and four candidates for voters to consider: Incumbents Arthur L. Grover, Dem., and Gary R. Loomis, Rep.; former Highway Superintendent Clayton M. Alger, Rep.; and newcomer William H. Olsen, Rep. For the Superintendent of Highways job: Thomas M. Slate, a Democrat, and Michael E. Murray Jr. a Republican, both political newcomers, are running.

Pitcher

In Pitcher, Republican Supervisor Jeffrey B. Blanchard, is running unopposed for a sixth two-year term. Also running for re-election without opposition are Town Clerk Rita H. Stith and Superintendent of Highways Brad A. Hotaling.

Three candidates are running for two positions on the town council: Incumbents E. Christine Klein, a Democrat, and Floyd M. Neal, who has both a Republican and Democratic line on the ballot, and political newcomer James L. Aiken, who is also running as a Republican.

Pitcher voters will also cast their vote on three propositions. If passed, these propositions will increase the term of office from two years to four years for the following elected posts: town clerk, town supervisor and town highway superintendent.

Plymouth

In Plymouth, Republican Jerry L. Kreiner is running unopposed for town supervisor, a position he has held for five, two-year terms.

For town council, Democratic Incumbent Robert I. Brown is seeking re-election. Also on the ballot is political newcomer Drew F. Piaschyk, also a Democrat, who is seeking his first term in office. Highway Superintendent Peter Marshall, a Republican, is being challenged by Democratic newcomer Thomas Cohen.

Plymouth residents also have to vote for or against a proposition on the ballot that would reduce the official number of town justices from two to one, effective Dec. 31, 2009.

Preston

Town of Preston Supervisor Peter F. Flanagan, a Democrat, is running unopposed for an 11th two-year term in the town’s top job.

On the ballot for town council are Incumbent Patricia M. Wakefield and newcomer Jonathan D. Dunckel, both Republicans.

Town Clerk Deanna J. Johnson and Superintendent of Highways Charles K. Stein Sr. are also running for re-election unopposed.

Sherburne

In Sherburne, Republican William C. Craine is running unopposed for Chenango County Supervisor, a position he held previously from 1974 to 1979.

Republican Kathy S. McDaniel seeks to fill the town clerk’s position, while John R. Powell, also a Republican, is running for one of the town’s two Justice positions. Incumbent Justice James W. Peptis is running to retain his seat.

There’s some competition on the town council, where voters must chose among incumbent Republican Charles A. Mastro and political newcomers, Edwin T. Meyer, running as a Republican, and Stephen C. McCarty, on the Independent line, who are all three running for two open positions.

Superintendent of Highways Robert Brunschmid runs unopposed.

Smithville

In Smithville, Republican Supervisor Allan I. Johnson is being challenged for the town’s top spot by newcomer Daniel W. Hayes, a Democrat.

A total of five candidates are vying for two 4-year openings on the town council. Trying for the vacant seats are Democrats Michael W. Huff and Elizabeth A. Vanderweyde; Republicans Victor H. Hammond, a former town code enforcement officer, and Charles J. Shultes, former highway superintendent; and John J. Cammarata, who is running on an Independent line entitled, “Farmland.”

Two additional candidates are running for a two-year term, to a vacancy created by a resignation earlier this year. Challengers for this position are Holly A. Mohr, who is currently finishing a 4-year term on the board, and Barbara Ann Whitmore. Both women are running as independents, Mohr on a line entitled, “Another Choice,” and Whitmore as “Open Door.”

Alison B. Owens, a Republican also running on an independent line entitled “Choice and Freedom,” is seeking an additional term as Smithville town clerk. Superintendent of Highways Bruce G. Kinney, a Democrat, is also running for re-election.

Bruce Braman, an independent running on the line “Scales of Justice,” is seeking the town justice position being vacated by Paul D. Meddleton.

Owens, Kinney and Braman are all running without opposition.

Smyrna

In Smyrna, Democratic Incumbent James Bays is being challenged by Republican rival Gerard Parry, Sr., for the office of Town Supervisor.

Voters will be asked to pick two from a field of four candidates for Town Council: Democrats Stephen K. Campbell and Mark E. Swazye, and Republicans Robert L. Matteson and Daniel R. Whitehead. Republican Gary R. Graham is running unopposed for the Superintendent of Highways post, as is Geraldine W. Day for Town Clerk.

Melissa deCordova, Tyler Murphy and Mike McGuire contributed to this article.




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