As news of Mayoral candidate Rob Ortt’s overwhelming victory sank in Tuesday among North Tonawanda voters, so too did the results of six other city races.
As of Jan. 1, 2010, when Tuesday’s winners are sworn in, North Tonawanda City Hall will be entirely devoid of elected Democrats.
Democratic challengers for four contested Common Council seats each fell to their GOP opponents by margins no slimmer than 16 percent.
The two closest races were those for the council’s the at-large seat and the Third Ward.
Former Third Ward Alderwoman Nancy Donovan edged out Dennis Barberio for the at-large post with 58 percent, while newcomer Eric Zadzilka garnered the same lead over Democratic challenger Janet Zehr in the Third Ward.
The First Ward spot went to incumbent Dennis Pasiak while an open seat for Second-Ward Alderman went to political first-timer Richard Andres with a landslide 66 percent.
In a surprising twist in a city with substantially more registered Democrats than Republicans, the latter swept contests citywide.
The Niagara County Board of Elections posted numbers late Tuesday indicating voter turnout decreased significantly in each individual race:
• Mayor race down 2214 voters.
• At large down 2453 voters.
• Ward 1 down 634 voters.
• Ward 2 down 625 voters.
• Ward 3 down 851 voters.
But North Tonawanda Republican Committee Chairman Bill Paton said the case had less to do with Democrats not voting and more to do with a grass roots campaign strategy that differed from years past.
“We sat down and looked at what we had to do to get the vote out,” he said, adding Andres was hanging information on doors as late as last night. “Basically it’s going back to the grass roots, talking to the people, listening the people (and) getting back to the people.”
“We had to get the Democrats. A lot of Democrats had to vote for Ortt,” he said.
Contact reporter Neale Gulley at 693-1000, ext. 114.
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