The Camillus Republican Committee has named a slew of familiar faces for the town’s November elections.
The positions of supervisor, highway superintendent, town clerk, tax receiver, town judge and councilors for the six town wards are all up for election in November, and the Republicans hope to maintain their hold.
Endorsed by the Republicans to run for 4th ward councilor is Keith DiBello, who will challenge incumbent Democrat James Salanger. This will be DiBello’s second attempt at the seat; he lost the 2007 race to Salanger.
“He’s a very hard working person who is dedicated to the community and very interested in representing people of fourth ward,” said Camillus Republican Committee Chair John Petosa of the committee’s pick.
For the remaining council seats, the Republicans have endorsed incumbents Roger Pisarek for 1st ward, Kathy McRae for 2nd ward, Bill Davern for 3rd ward, David Cooke for 5th ward, Dave Callahan for 6th ward.
Supervisor Mary Ann Coogan, Highway Superintendent Mark Pigula, Justice Steve Poli, Town Clerk Martha Dickson-McMahon and Tax Collector Pat Fletcher all won the committee’s nod to retain their current posts.
“We’re very proud of the candidates we’ve put forth, they’ve done an outstanding job of representing the people of Camillus and we’re hopeful voters will continue to give us their support,” Petosa said.
The challenger
But even before the Democratic Committee holds its caucus, slated for later this month, the Republican some candidates are facing a challenge.
Former town supervisor Don Fittipaldi said last week that he has passed a petition and gathered enough signatures to primary Callahan for the 6th ward seat.
“I’ve known David [Callahan] for over 40 years, I like Dave as a person and I hate to run against him but he does what he’s told,” Fittipaldi said of his decision to run. He added that he had grown dissatisfied with the current administration.
“They tend to operate behind closed doors,” Fittipaldi said. If elected, he will “let the sunshine in,” criticize expenditures and ask questions.
Fittipaldi also served as town justice from 1990 to 1994 and currently sits on the planning board. He has lived in Camillus for 42 years, the same number of years he’s been married to his wife, Judy.
The Republican primary will be held Sept. 15 in Camillus; the last day to file petitions with the Board of Elections to primary an endorsed candidate is today, July 16.
