OSWEGO, NY – The core of the Oswego Common Council remains intact.

From left Dan Mahaney, Hannibal Town Highway Superintendent; Mike Kunzwiler, Legislator 18th District; and candidate Jacob Mulcahey 15th District, wait for election results to be posted Tuesday night.

According to the unofficial results, all five of the incumbents will return to the council for a new term.

Connie Cosemento (D) defeated Jay Scanlon (R) 254 to 218 in the First Ward.

Shawn Walker (R) retained his seat in the Fourth Ward with a 364 to 233 victory over Diane Zeller-Richards (D).

In the Sixth Ward Bill Sharkey (R) held off a challenge from former alderman Tim Rice (D) by a 325 to 181 margin.

“I am a little surprised by the margin,” Sharkey said. “It has traditionally been a Democrat ward. When I won the first time, I was the first Republican to win there in 68 years. And, only the second one since the Civil War.”

Sharkey said his fiscal conservativeness played a big part in his re-election.

“That’s exactly what I am; I tell people I am a financial conservative,” he said. “I believe in financial responsibility.”

Republicans Mike Myers (302), Second Ward and Dan Donovan (423) Fifth Ward were unopposed.

Sue Sweet (R), the Third Ward incumbent, didn’t seek re-election.

Cathy Santos (D) beat Miles Becker (R) 274 to 131 to gain that seat.

“I want to thank the voters for their support and looking forward to working with the other councilors,” she said.

Seventh Ward alderman Mike Joyce (R) campaigned for the county’s 15th District seat. In the three-way race he trails Jacob Mulcahey (D) 588 to 550 with Mercedes Niess (O, I) receiving 162 votes.

Cathy Santos receives congratulations from Christopher Marin on Tuesday night. Santos, according to the unofficial vote count, has won the Third Ward alderman race in Oswego.

“It was a pleasure to campaign in the 15th Legislative District, a great opportunity to meet many new people and reconnect with those I already knew. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the election process.  I would also like to especially thank those residents that had the courage to vote for an Independent,” Niess said. “This was my first foray as a candidate in this political arena and I am satisfied that I was able to run a positive grassroots campaign with a strong message. I look forward to continuing to offer my expertise and experience to our county government.”

Lee B. Walker Jr., the incumbent legislator of the 15th District, sought the Seventh Ward seat in the Port City.

Ron Kaplewicz (O, I) was the top vote getter with 337 followed by Kevin Gilman (O, I) 313. Walker Jr. received 150 votes.

“We have the core of the council just about the same,” said Donovan, the current council president. “We should be able to work together. We’ll just keep moving forward.”

Cosemento, currently the lone Democrat on the council, agrees.

“We have a good group of councilors,” she said. “I believe we will continue to move forward for the betterment of the city.”

County Notes

Amy Tresidder, right, is congratulated by Jennifer Mulcahey. Tresidder, according to the unofficial vote count, has won the race for legislator of the 16th District.

Incumbent legislator Doug Malone (D) beat Joe Susino (R) 424 to 106 to hold on to his seat.

In the county’s 16th District, Amy Tresidder (D) defeated veteran legislator Paul Santore (R) 493 to 295.

“I just went door to door every night campaigning,” she explained. “I want to thank all the voters for their support.”

Incumbent legislator Mike Kunzwiler (D) beat challenger Rick Bishop 688 to 226 in the county’s 16th District.

Terry Wilbur (R) beat Judith O’Connor – Walsh (D) 528 to 463 to claim the county’s 21st District seat. Incumbent jack Beckwith didn’t seek re-election

In the race to replace John McHugh in the 23rd Congressional District Doug Hoffman (C) is out in front of Bill Owens (D) 10,882 to 10,382 with Dede Scozzafava (R) with 1,339 votes (despite dropping out of the race over the weekend) in Oswego County. Owens is in front district wide.

Owens will be a good fit for Oswego County, according to Kunzwiler, the Minority Leader of the legislature.

“He will be an excellent fit. He’s a veteran, he has a solid economic background with what he’s done up in Plattsburg with the air base,” he said. “He’s a moderate Democrat. John McHugh was a moderate; I was able to work well with him and I look forward to working with Bill Owens.”

United Way board member Jim Mahoney has announced that the plans are set for the United Way’s Annual ‘Stone Soup’ Holiday Luncheon.

Hannibal Village Market IGA is sponsoring the 12th annual Senior Citizens’ Christmas Luncheon to be held on December 8th, 2009, at the Hannibal Fire Department’s Recreation Hall.

October 30, 2009
Our October 24th meeting which coincided with archives day went quite well at our Richland facility. We had 30 for a sit down lunch at noon, and another 10 or so folks came in and out through the afternoon. At 1 pm we held a brief meeting of the society, our [...]