Published: November 04, 2009 01:25 am      

TOWN OF TONAWANDA: Vote error halts incumbent victories for now

Residents in the Town of Tonawanda appeared to favor the work of the four incumbents running in Tuesday’s election, but a malfunction in vote tabulations has prevented the Erie County Board of Elections from conclusively announcing any winners.

Vote totals for five of the six Town Council candidates are correct as reported on the board’s Web site, according to Republican Elections Commissioner Ralph Mohr. The total for the sixth candidate, James McGee, a Republican, is incorrect, however. A programming error on the voting machines gave McGee just 5 percent of the total vote, which Mohr said is nowhere near his total.

“(McGee) didn’t get allocated all the votes he received,” Mohr said.

With 88 percent of the districts reporting Lisa Chimera was the leading vote-getter among council candidates, garnering 7,193 votes, or 22 percent. Close behind were Joe Emminger with 6,771 votes (21 percent) and John Bargnesi gaining 20 percent with 6,527 votes.

Patrick O’Hanrahan gathered the most GOP votes, with 4,933, or 15 percent. Gigi Grizanti also garnered 15 percent, with 4,914. James McGee’s suspect total was listed 1,683 votes.

The top three vote-getters in the town will receive council seats. As of press time, those stand to go to the three incumbent Democrats.

In the race for highway superintendent, incumbent Republican Brad Rowles easily held off Councilman Dan Crangle, 64 percent to 36 percent. Crangle, a Democrat, received 3,649 votes while 7,337 residents had supported Rowles.

All three incumbents said Tuesday’s numbers show that residents approved the platform on which they ran four years ago.

“Our track record spoke for itself,” said Bargnesi. “The people knew we were doing a good job.”

Agreeing with Bargnesi, Chimera added that the residents “respect” the job they’ve done and showed it by voting their confidence.

She said residents can expect more of the same during the next four years.

“We’re wrapping up the budget process Thursday and we have another four-year plan ready,” Chimera said.

Emminger said he was relieved that the Democrats swept the council races, noting Democrats didn’t fare as well in other town showdowns. He said he was concerned when he saw the early county returns, fearing there would be a domino effect into the council race.

“It was a difficult year for Democrats in the county races,” Emminger said. “Michele Iannello lost and Tom Loughran lost the town.”

Loughran was embroiled in a close race in the county’s 14th district against Republican challenger Shelly Schratz.

Meanwhile, Rowles had a smooth road on his way to a third straight victory as highway superintendent. A 32-year town employee, Rowles said the victory was a vote of confidence for his department and all of its workers.

“My employees and department are a leader in the industry,” Rowles declared. “The voters went out and supported what we do.”

Later today Rowles will accept another victory of sorts in Albany. Tonawanda’s was the only town highway department in New York state to be bestowed with a road paving award, he reported.

“It’s a tremendous accomplishment by the town highway department” Rowles said.

In the Village of Kenmore, Democrat Scott Riordan was leading Republican Kevin Stocker 55-45 percent in the race for village justice with 76 percent of districts reporting.

Turnout in the town was 18 percent for the council race and 22 percent for highway superintendent.

Contact night city editor John Hopkins at 693-1000, ext. 150.