Cazenovia residents will see a familiar face in the Town of Cazenovia Supervisor’s office come January.
Incumbent Ralph Monforte won the contested election over challenger, Tom Clarke, with a vote of 853 to 597, a margin of 256 votes. Monforte, who ran on the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party lines, has almost completed his first two-year term as supervisor, and will start his next in 2012.
“I’m happy to have received so many votes, but most of all I have to thank Tom Clarke for running a really productive election. I’ve known him for 27 years and he’s always been a gentleman and a great guy. I look forward to working with him on different projects as we move forward,” Monforte said on Nov. 9. “Today has been business-as-usual, we started at 5 a.m., and took down some election signs, I’ve been returning phone calls and speaking with the town attorney about some issues that were brought to our attention during the election.”
Monforte said in his next term he will continue his work on the same zoning issues he and the town board have been dealing with, as well as finalize the RFP for the proposed water and sewer district that will encompass Cazenovia Lake.
“Congratulations to Ralph and the other town board candidates. I wish them well” Clark said, following the release of the unofficial vote count. “I am proud of my campaign for Town of Cazenovia Supervisor; one that focused on experience and issues that matter to Cazenovia. It was an honest, positive and principled effort. Cazenovia is my home and I will continue to serve it in another way.”
Of the 4,219 registered voters in the town, 1,473 showed up to the polls on Election Day.
The vote counts from Tuesday, Nov. 8 are unofficial, as absentee ballots have yet to be recorded. According to the Madison County Board of Elections, 94 absentee ballots were distributed and 78 have been returned, so far. As long as the ballots are returned with a post-mark on or before Monday, Nov. 7, they will be recorded. The MCBE will begin counting absentee votes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Liz Moran received 860 votes, which seems to guarantee her one of the two available seats on the Cazenovia Town Board. The other spot may be occupied by either Jennifer Basic or Bill Zupan, who are separated by three votes. Basic recorded 822 votes while Bill Zupan received 819.
“Contested elections are good for the community,” Moran said after hearing the ballot count. “I am pleased to return to the town council and appreciate the confidence the voters have placed in me.”
Moran, who ran on Democratic and Strong Party lines, previously served as town supervisor for four years. Basic, who ran on the Republican Party line, would be serving on town council for the first time.
“I love the excitement in my childrens’ faces, they helped me campaign and the best lesson they have gained through this is that every vote truly does count,” Basic said.
Zupan, like Moran, ran on Democratic and Strong Party lines and has extensive experience within the town office, having served as a town councilor for the past four years.
“You have to have a sense of humor about these kind of things,” Zupan said on election night. “We’ll look to see what the absentee numbers are. Until then, it’s just a waiting game.”
After the absentee ballots are counted and the election numbers are made official, the two candidates will look to begin their terms on the Cazenovia Town Board in January.
Linda Mather, who was running unopposed for another term as Town of Cazenovia Clerk, received a total of 1,085 votes.
More information on candidates, and county-wide results of Tuesday’s elections can be found online, at madisoncounty.org/boe, or by calling the Madison County Board of Elections at 366-2231.
