Four incumbent supervisors ousted in Essex County

By LOHR McKINSTRY
Staff Writers

November 07, 2007 09:48 am

— and KIM SMITH DEDAM
ELIZABETHTOWN -- Six incumbent town supervisors faced challenges in Essex County elections, and only two survived.
The biggest upset was in North Elba, where independent Robert "Roby" Politi defeated incumbent Republican Supervisor Shirley Seney, 1,273 to 807, ending her 12-year stretch as supervisor from the county's largest town.
Seney said she had no regrets.
"I've served the community well for a good 12 years, and I enjoyed every minute of it," she said shortly after results came in. "I'm on to bigger and better things."
Politi praised Seney's tenure and tenacity in office and looked forward to the future.
"She really has done a wonderful job. I admire her longevity in this position. I'm excited. I'm very humbled by the victory. I can't wait to represent the people of this community. I'm thrilled."
In Willsboro, incumbent Robert Ashline, a Republican running as an independent because of a primary loss, was beat by Republican challenger Lori Torrance, 452 to 212.
"I'm very excited and enthusiastic about my future here," Torrance said. "I'm kind of speechless at the moment, but it was a very good, very positive campaign. We're very happy."
Ashline said he would help in a smooth transition.
"We'll certainly support her in the transition. We did the best we could; it is what it is."
In Wilmington, the race for supervisor ended in a big upset, with independent Randy Preston defeating incumbent Democrat Jeanne Ashworth, 319 to 183.
Ashworth didn't want to comment Election Day and offered only one word: "Congratulations."
Preston took the sound victory as a mandate.
"I want to thank all my supporters. It is a fairly clear mandate, and I'm anxious to bring the town back together."
A write-in campaign organized by incumbent Lewis Supervisor Anthony Glebus, a Republican, didn't overcome Republican David Blades, who won, 299 to 101.
In Elizabethtown, Republican Noel Merrihew III beat off a challenge from Democrat Joseph Martin, 248 to 177.
In Newcomb, incumbent Republican Supervisor George Canon bested Democrat Eleanor Yandon, 181 to 64. Yandon couldn't have served if elected because of a federal Hatch Act ruling that part of the salary from her job with Sunmount Developmental Services was paid from federal funds.
Here's a look at unofficial results from uncontested supervisor races in Essex County: Chesterfield, Gerald Morrow (D-I), 593; Crown Point, Dale French (R), 126; Essex, Ronald Jackson (R-I), 80; Keene, William Ferebee (R-I), 305; Moriah, Thomas Scozzafava (R-I), 515; North Hudson, Robert Dobie (D), 84; Schroon, Catherine Moses (R-I), 473; Ticonderoga, Robert C. Dedrick (R), 936; and Westport, Daniel Connell (D-I), 173.
CLINTON COUNTY
In the Area 1 Clinton County Legislature race, Harry McManus took the seat over Champlain Town Supervisor Larry Barcomb, 1,174 to 784.
The two men had been vying for Celine Paquette's seat after the 12-year legislator announced in late May that she wouldn't be seeking re-election.
Both men focused their campaign platform on trying to keep taxes and spending down while enhancing area development.
"I'm glad for all the support, and I thank everyone who has worked so hard for me," Barcomb said after congratulating McManus on the win.
"We fought hard, but we didn't win. But that's life. I had a great team working for me, and I'm just glad for all of the support I had."
McManus said he looks forward to working with Barcomb as he serves as county legislator.
"The most gratifying part is that I had so much support in each of the three communities (Rouses Point, Champlain and Mooers)," McManus said. "I'm very pleased."
In other County Legislature races, Incumbent Keith Defayette (D,R,C,I,WF) held his Area 5 seat with a landslide victory over challenger Willard "Bill" Todd (I), 1,271 to 236.
Legislator Jackie Walker (D,I) will continue representing Area 8 after a 863-530 win over current Plattsburgh City Councilor Michael Drew (R,C).
John Gallagher (D,WF) kept his Area 9 seat with a 578-372 win over Anne-Marie Farrell (R,C,I).
In uncontested races, Sam Trombley (R,C) pulled in 1,574 votes for Area 2; 1,316 votes were cast for Area 3 Legislator Tom Sears, (R,C,I); Sara Rowden, D-Area 4, will return with 1,348 votes; Robert Butler, R-Area 6, received 1,333 votes; Area 7 Legislator Jimmy Langley, (R,I), pulled in 1,002 votes; and Robert Heins, (R,C) Area 10, walked away with 872.
Joe Giroux has kept his seat as the county treasurer with a 8,498-8,101 victory over Kimberly Kleist.
County Clerk John Zurlo had 10,433 votes while coroner David Donah will return with 9,808.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
The faces and political makeup of the Franklin County Legislature will remain the same for the next three years as all seven incumbents were returned to office.
Unofficial results from the Board of Elections show District 3 Democrat Gordon Crossman, District 4 Democrat Earl Lavoie, District 5 Democrat Raymond Susice and District 6 Republican Paul Maroun holding off challenges.
Here are the election results:
District 3: Crossman, 780, and Carl Perry (D,R,C,Your Voice), 541.
District 4: Earl Lavoie, 599; and Ken Nephew (R,C,Community Vision), 405.
District 5: Susice, 891; Sue Robideau (R,C, Independent Taxpayers), 784.
District 6: Maroun, 984; Dean Lefebvre (D, Maple Leaf), 439.
In unopposed re-election bids, District 1 Democrat Guy "Tim" Smith earned 363 votes; District 2 Democrat Daniel Crippen, 876 votes; and District 7 Democrat Timothy Burpoe, 712 votes.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.