Incumbents rule in few contested Fulton County races

80

SHARES

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save

Share

In an election year that featured a slew of unopposed races in Fulton County, incumbents carried most of the contested races Tuesday night,

But several highway superintendents were ousted across the county, after county officials said many residents expressed dissatisfaction with their job performance.

Unofficial results have Republican Ralph Ottuso, who bumped Caroga Town Supervisor James Selmser from the ballot in a Republican primary two months ago, winning the top seat with 278 votes. He beat challenger and Democrat Ronald McLain, who came in with 105 votes. He also beat for a second time Selmser, who ran a write-in campaign despite his primary loss.

Caroga’s new Town Board will include incumbent Robert Sullivan Jr. and newcomer Greta Frasier, both Republicans. Sullivan, who will serve a second four-year term, received 296 votes, while Frasier received 195. Candidates Rosemary Leo-Pappas and John McCarthy lost the race with 149 and 116 votes, respectively.

Mayfield Republican Richard Argotsinger remained town supervisor after beating Conservative Jack Putman with 528 votes. Putman received 432 votes, a higher total than he has received in previous years, he said.

“I’ve run twice so far now, and this one was a lot better than the last time,” said Putman from the Board of Elections office in Johnstown on Tuesday night. “Rick had told me this was going to be his last run, and it’ll be four years before the next election for supervisor. I’ve gone to almost all the town board meetings for the last 20 years. I probably will consider it again, more than likely I may try for councilman again, though.”

Mayfield Town Clerk Dorothy Hart also retained her seat, beating Cheryl Gifford, 805-199.

And on the Mayfield Town Board, Republicans Thomas Ruliffson and Charles Morrison will fill two seats. Ruliffson, an incumbent, received 742 votes and Morrison got 633. Incumbent Shawn Humphrey was ousted from his seat, receiving only 303 votes.

Two hotly contested races in Gloversville came to a conclusion Tuesday night, with incumbent Ward 1 Councilwoman Robin Wentworth beating George Walker III. Wentworth, a Democrat, received 146 votes, while Walker, a Republican, received 104 votes.

In the race for Ward 5 supervisor, incumbent Michael Rooney lost his seat to retired McNab Elementary School Principal Michael Ponticello, 232 to 118.

Additionally, Gloversville voters approved referenda that will allow the transit agency to be treated as a city department and adopted staggered terms for members of the Common Council.

In the town of Johnstown, Republican Town Board incumbents Beth Schloicka and Daryl Baldwin beat out Democratic challengers Albert Hayes Sr. and John Zawadzki. Schloicka received 597 votes, and Baldwin received 637 votes, while Hayes received 279 votes and Zawadzki received 241 votes.

In Northampton, William Gritsavage and Ivar Anderson got the most votes, 292 and 331, respectively. Third party candidate Guy Poulin received 263 votes.

A slew of contested highway superintendent races were unofficially decided Tuesday night.

In the tiny town of Bleecker, incumbent Highway Superintendent Paul Brink, who ran on the Republican and Brook Trout lines, lost his seat to third party candidate Robert Young by two votes, 20-18. Another third party candidate, Edward Bleyl, received 10 votes.

Current Broadalbin Highway Superintendent Donald Loveless Jr. was ousted by his Conservative challenger, Lance Winney, who secured 384 votes to Loveless’ 308.

In the town of Ephratah, the only contested race saw incumbent James Berry remain highway superintendent with 249 votes. His challenger, Stephen Gray, received 151 votes.

In Oppenheim, Highway Superintendent Richard Crum, who ran on the Republican and John Deere lines, drew 190 votes. Third party candidates Marc Cool II and Brian Miller received 36 and 128 votes, respectively.

In Stratford, Robert Stalnaker Sr. lost his highway superintendent position to frequent challenger Mark Snowman, who got 117 votes to Stalnaker’s 93. Snowman previously challenged Stalnaker in 2009 and 2007, both times unsuccessfully.

Uncontested races

Candidates who ran unopposed in countywide races included Fulton County Judge Polly Hoye and Sheriff Thomas Lorey, who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines, as well as coroners Art Simmons and Margaret Luck.

In Bleecker, town Supervisor David Howard, Town Clerk Toni Johnson, and Town Board members George Becker Jr. and David Winnie, ran unopposed.

Broadalbin Town Board members David Horst and James Wheeler ran unopposed, as did assessors Laurie Costello Bollock and Leamon Steele.

Of four races in the town of Caroga, two were unopposed — Town Justice James Subik and Highway Superintendent Stephen Putman, both Republicans.

A handful of Ephratah town officials, all Republicans, ran unopposed in this year’s election: town Supervisor Todd Bradt, Town Clerk Eleanor Smith, councilmen Ivan Duesler and Andrew Chorlton, assessors Lyn Yuenger and Brenda Christman, and Tax Collector Deborah Hofmann.

In the town of Johnstown, independent newcomer Tamara Healy ran unopposed for the two years remaining in the Town Board term of Jack Wilson, who is now town supervisor.

In Gloversville, incumbent Marie Born will serve another term as Ward 1 supervisor, on the Democratic and American Spirit lines. Incumbent Frank Lauria Jr. will fill the Ward 2 supervisor seat on the Democratic line. Newcomer Arthur J. Simonds will fill the Ward 2 council seat, taking over for Councilman John Castiglione, who is stepping down. Incumbent Michael Gendron will serve another term as Ward 3 supervisor on the Republican line. Taking over for retiring Ward 3 Councilman Donald Ambrosino will be newcomer Stephen Mahoney, who ran on the Democratic line. Charles Potter, who ran on the Republican and Conservative lines, will fill the Ward 4 supervisor seat after defeating incumbent Shirley Savage in primary voting. Incumbent Ellen Anadio will serve another term as Ward 4 councilwoman on the Republican and Universal lines. Incumbent Jay Zarrelli will serve another term as Ward 5 councilman on the Republican line. Incumbent Richard Ottalagano will serve again as Ward 6 supervisor. Wrandy Siarkowski will again fill the Ward 6 Council seat on the Republican line.

Robert Renda and incumbent Stephen Mauro were unopposed for two open seats on Gloversville’s Water Board.

Every city of Johnstown candidate ran unopposed this year, including supervisors in Wards 1-4: Richard Handy, Michael Kinowski, John Callery and William Waldron, respectively. Candidates for Wards 1 and 3 on the county board included Cynthia Lakata and Helen Martin, respectively.

In the town of Johnstown, Republican Nancy MacVean ran unopposed for town supervisor, after ousting incumbent Jack Wilson in a primary. Town Clerk Nancy Hart and Highway Superintendent Theodore “T.J.” Bradt ran unopposed. Tamara Healy ran unopposed for a vacant council seat on the town board.

In the town of Mayfield, incumbent Marjorie Jones will serve another term as town justice. She has served since January 2008. Incumbent Melvin Dopp ran unopposed as highway superintendent. He has served in the position since January 2010.

Northampton Town Justice Paulette Lewek ran unopposed along the Republican line.

In Oppenheim, most candidates on the ballot ran unopposed: Supervisor George Capek, Town Clerk Gloria Brys, Town Board members Rodney Montana and Patricia Haberek, assessors Michele Cool and Robert Haberek, and Tax Collector Linda Peets had no challengers this election year.

Every candidate on the Perth ballot ran unopposed, including Supervisor Gregory Fagan, Town Clerk Judith English, Town Justice Paul Giudilli, Town Board members Gay Lewandowski and Peter Betz, and Tax Collector Ann Morck. Voters approved a referendum for a town highway garage.

In Stratford, Supervisor Robert Johnson Jr., Town Clerk Diana Massicotte, and Town Board members Dawn Youker and Lorraine Rumrill all ran unopposed.

As of Tuesday night, a total of 548 absentee ballots had been mailed in to the Board of Elections.

80

SHARES

Share on Facebook

Tweet

Follow us

Save

Share

Categories: Schenectady County