Niagara County
Led by N.T. win, GOP has big day in Niagara County
Republicans ruled the day in North Tonawanda — and beyond in Niagara County.
Republican challenger Robert G. Ortt pulled off an upset of Democrat incumbent Lawrence V. Soos on Tuesday with a strong victory in the North Tonawanda mayor's race. The GOP also swept the four Common Council races.
The returns mirrored Republican strength in just about every corner of Niagara County — including an upset win in the Lewiston supervisor contest. The exceptions were in Niagara Falls and Pendleton, where Democrats pulled out victories.
In North Tonawanda, Ortt, the city clerk-treasurer and a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, earned 4,748 votes to Soos' 2,465 votes, according to unofficial results.
Those unofficial results indicate Ortt took home nearly 66 percent of the vote.
"Tonight, voters across North Tonawanda made a choice, we made a choice for a different path," Ortt said in his victory speech in the Fairways at Deerwood restaurant. "...Tonight, with an overwhelming voice, the people of North Tonawanda said they not only deserve better, they demand better."
The 30-year-old city native and former personal financial analyst was appointed city treasurer in April 2007 and was elected to a four-year term as treasurer when he ran unopposed in November 2007.
Soos, who is finishing his first term as the city's chief executive, called his opponent's campaign "all smoke and mirrors."
"The people have spoken," Soos said, "and if that's what they want, then God bless them.
"I am totally amazed," Soos continued. "I thought I was doing a good job. Rob had nothing to offer."
The 66-year-old city native and former bar owner served as a alderman-at-large from 2002 through 2005.
Soos defeated Republican Michael P. Carney by 212 votes to become mayor four years ago.
On Tuesday night, resident John Mancuso said he believed Soos was too content with the condition of North Tonawanda.
"In my eyes, a politician should not be content with keeping the status quo," Mancuso said outside the Stephen Sikora Post 1322, American Legion.
Resident Sue Elvers cast her ballot for Ortt in the basement of City Hall.
Elvers said she believes Ortt was a "fresh, new" candidate.
Kevin Snyder, who also voted in the basement of City Hall on Tuesday night, cast his ballot for Soos. The most important issue for Snyder, a 53-year-old lifelong city resident, is the proposed Walmart, planned for Erie Avenue and Niagara Falls Boulevard, he said.
Snyder also said he has been pleased with what Soos has done for the city during his first term.
"I just thought he did an overall good job," he said.
In addition to capturing the city's top elected post, the Republicans also took all four open seats on the five-seat Common Council by significant margins.
In the only citywide Council race, Republican Nancy A. Donovan defeated Democrat Dennis J. Barberio in the race for at-large representative. Donovan, who had more than 1,000 more votes than Barberio, is currently the Third Ward alderwoman.
Brett M. Sommer did not seek re-election to that four-year post.
Each of the three ward races were for two-year seats.
In the race for First Ward alderman, Republican incumbent Dennis M. Pasiak beat out incumbent challenger Robert W. Fritz. Pasiak's victory came by the closest margin of any in city race — 56 to 44 percent.
Republican Richard L. Andres Jr. Democrat defeated Jerome M. DiVirgilio in the alderman's race in the Second Ward. Andres scored a 66 to 34 percent win, according to unofficial results. The race will put a new face on the Common Council because incumbent Kevin J. Brick Jr. did not seek re-election.
In the Third Ward, which had two challengers because Donovan ran for the at-large post, Republican Eric M. Zadzilka defeated Democrat Janet B. Zehr.
The term of Alderwoman-at-large Catherine G. Schwandt, a Republican, expires at the end of 2011.
In Niagara Falls, the City Council will remain all Democratic next year.
Three Democrats — Samuel F. Fruscione, Kristen M. Grandinetti and Charles A. Walker — won three open seats.
Fruscione, who is finishing up his first term on the Council, was the top vote getter, followed by Grandinetti and Walker. Fruscione and Grandinetti are elementary school teachers. Walker works for Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
Republicans Candra C. Thomason and Kenneth A. Pawlukovich failed to pull out enough votes in a city where Democrats outnumber Republican 3 to 1.
Council Chairman Chris Robins chose not to run for re-election.
In Lockport, after a budget process last month in which the Common Council raised taxes, appropriated money for a citywide property reassessment and rejected curbside recycling, voters kicked two incumbents to the curb Tuesday.
Alderwoman Amanda L. Alexander, R-2nd Ward, and Patrick W. Schrader, D-4th Ward, went down to defeat.
Alexander, a first-term alderwoman, lost to Democrat Jack L. Smith Jr., a block club president. Schrader, who had served 11 years, was turned out by Republican Andrew D. Chapman, the owner of a security equipment firm.
Three incumbents did win: Democrat Flora M. McKenzie of the 3rd Ward and Republicans Richelle J. Pasceri of the 1st Ward and Alderman at Large Joseph C. Kibler. Kenneth M. Genewick, the city GOP chairman, won the 5th Ward seat being vacated by retiring Council President John Lombardi III.
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