Republicans hold majority on council, school board

Written by John Kovach
Thursday, 05 November 2009 08:44

Republicans held control of the Town Council, with six of the nine GOP candidates prevailing Tuesday.

A 6-4 Republican majority was in effect for most of the past two years, before Third District Councilman Gavin Forrester III switched his affiliation and gave the GOP a 7-3 edge.

Forrester was elected to the Board of Education Tuesday as part of a Republican slate that included Joe Crudo and Charles Lindberg.

The lone incumbent on the council who will take office Dec. 14 is Republican John M. Dempsey in the 5th District, whose 423 votes topped Democratic challenger Olivia Gombar’s 352 and petitioning candidate Linda Palermo’s 156.

The only other incumbent seeking re-election, William JR Stroomer in the 7th District, lost to Democrat Kimberly Meuse, 766-702.

Democrat Amy Wanamaker was seeking re-election in the 6th District before withdrawing in early October due to a medical condition.

Scott Potter, who replaced her on the ballot, turned back Republican Edward Ward, 640-566. Potter also won his race for Planning Commission District III, beating John G. Zbell 1,058-898.

Republicans overwhelmingly held on to the 1st District seat currently occupied by Michael Julian, with Christian M. Barnaby beating Democrat Richard J. Kennedy 1,052 to 586. Kennedy stepped in 35 days before the election when nominee Susan Collier withdrew.

Democrats held the 2nd District seat being vacated by Alvin O’Neal due to term limits. Running unopposed, Stephanie Phillips received 566 votes.

Republican Matthew Catalano won an interesting three-way race in the 3rd District. Catalano earned 771 votes, compared to 442 for Democrat John F. Fahan and 83 for George Mulligan, who also ran as a petitioning candidate for mayor.

An e-mail from Democratic Mayor James R. Miron urged Democrats to support Catalano because Fahan, about whom questions were asked at the Democratic Town Committee endorsement caucus, attended a fundraiser for Republican mayoral candidate John Harkins.

Catalano voiced support for Harkins as the top of his ticket during debates and interviews.

Democrat Jason Santi prevailed in a four-way race in the 4th District. His 451 votes overwhelmed Republican Jason A. LoConte Jr. (196), and petitioning candidates Michael H. Singh (46) and Russell S. Foley (31). That seat is being vacated by Democrat Emma Brooks.

Republican James. J. Connor Jr. topped Democrat Bonnie Reynolds in the 8th District, 898-802. Republican Thomas Moore did not seek re-election.

Thomas J. Malloy held the 9th District seat Joseph Kubic did not seek again. Malloy beat Democrat Anthony F. Ross 1,175-666.

The 10th District seat, which Republican Council Chairman Michael Henrick could not hold due to term limits, was won by Republican Paul Hoydick, who beat Democrat Vincent J. Faggella 854-585.

Council members serve two-year terms.

Henrick was elected to a four-year term on the Zoning Commission in District V Tuesday. He beat Democrat Ronald J. Hojdich 1,904-1,249.

Republicans held their 3-2 majority on the Zoning Commission, as Chairman Christopher E. Silhavey beat Democrat Robert P. Bradley in District IV, and Democratic incumbent James Sheridan turned back Republican Casimir A. Mizera in District III.

The two parties split four Planning Commission seats on the ballot, leaving the Democrats with a 3-2 majority.

Potter in District III and incumbent Ann-Alice Baker in District II represent the Democrats. Baker beat Republican Ronald L. Moreau 1,039-797.

Republican Linda M. Pepin beat Democrat Laura A. Dobosz in District IV, 1,760-1,249. Republican Christopher W. Walker topped Democrat Tara A. Wexler in District V, 1,886-1,182.

The GOP increased its majority on the Board of Education from 4-3 to 5-2.

Incumbent co-chairmen Susan S. Barksdale (R) and Dr. Robert Cody (D) did not seek re-election. Nor did Republican Vice Chairman Joseph DiMenno (R) and Janice Andersen (D). None were eligible due to term limits

Crudo posted the top total for school board with 7,454 votes, followed by Lindberg (7,264) and Forrester (7,006), with Democrat Janice O. Daponte taking the final spot with 6,417 votes. Democrats Jancee Pust-Marcone and James E. Lazarro fell short.