School recount needed; Republicans win nine of 10 contests

Written by Macklin Reid
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 01:03

An automatic recount appeared necessary in a neck-and-neck race for four-year Board of Education seats on an election night when Republicans took nine of 10 contested offices on Ridgefield’s ballot.

“Two votes,” Republican Keith Miller said, standing in hallway outside the registrar’s office in town hall late Tuesday night. “With the absentees it appears to be two votes.”

“It’s been a long night,” said Irene Burgess at the Democrats' post-election party a block away at The Ancient Mariner.

Ms. Burgess appeared to remain two votes ahead of Mr. Miller for the final four-year school board seat at 12:30 this morning when the votes from all three districts had been counted, tallied and checked.

“Wow! There’s two votes difference between Keith and Irene,” said Republican Registrar of Voters Hope Wise.

“We call that a recount,” said Town Clerk Barbara Serfilippi.

The recount, which is required by state statues in so close a race, likely to take place next Monday or Tuesday, election officials said.

In the heated race for four-year school board positions, with three Republican and three Democrats competing for four open seats, the results were:

Amy K. Shinohara (D) 3,114;

John V. Palermo (R) 2,659;

Russell S. Katz (R) 2,509;

Irene Burgess (D) 2,352;

Keith E. Miller (R) 2,350;

Nina Mohadjer (D) 2,240.

If the recount confirms the numbers, Ms. Shinohara, Mr. Palermo, Mr. Katz and Ms. Burgess would win seats on the board. Mr. Palermo, Mr. Katz, Ms. Shinohara and Mr. Miller had been cross-endorsed by the Independent Party.

In a separate race for a two-year Board of Education seat, Republican Sandra Rose got 2,571 votes, defeating Democrat Charles Primerano who drew 1,806.

For Board of Finance incumbent Republican Marty Heiser had 3,069 votes, Republican Jill Bornstein had 2,699 — both winning seats — while write-in Democratic candidate Heidi Namiot came up short with 1,440 votes.

For Police Commission the three Republican incumbents were returned to office, fending off their Democratic challenger. Vote totals were:

Thomas F. Reynolds (R) 3,222;

Susan E. Craig (R) 3,195;

Carl Lecher (R) 3,015;

Joseph I Adams Jr. (D) 1,619.

In the only other contest, for a two-year Zoning Board of Appeals vacancy, Republican Duane Barney had 1,957 votes, defeating Democrat Sky Cole who had 1,709.

All other candidates on the ballot were uncontested and won election.

A total of 4,781 people voted, 30% of the town’s 16,131 registered voters.

Discuss the election results on The Ridgefield Forum.