The GOP gained a board seat but lost the supervisor position.
Jimmy Bruno, Republican, held on to his seat and Bill Schirmer, Republican, was elected.
Bruce Leighton, and Independence Party member backed by the Dems, lost his seat, and challenger Marjorie Block, a Democrat, was defeated.
Bruno led the way with 2,975 votes, followed by Schirmer 2,779, Leighton 2,398 and Block 1,994.
Reacting, Schirmer was restrained; the mood at the GOP gathering at Mirabella’s on Partition St. was somber due to the defeat of the supervisor and highway superintendent candidates. Town Justice Dan Lamb and Bruno’s wins were expected, and small cheers erupted, but quickly died out.
Over at the Democratic gathering at Sue’s Restaurant on 9W, owned by Councilman Fred Costello, Leighton wasn’t too down about the loss. He’d served 16 years – half as a Village Board trustee, half as a Town Board councilman – and defeat is always possible in an election with good, well known candidates in the opposition. He said he thinks Schirmer will do a good job.
With this result, the board majority remains in non-GOP hands, 3-2. Helsmoortel, Leeanne Thornton and Fred Costello are all members of the Independence Party, but all receive support from the Democratic Party.
