DeWitt — Incumbents Kerry Mannion and Karen Docter have secured seats on the DeWitt Town Board after running for reelection on Nov. 3, but the winner of the third seat will be decided between Republican candidate Mike Durkin and Democrat candidate Sam Young by the outcome of more than 200 absentee ballots.
Democrats Mannion and Docter received 26.58 percent and 22.11 percent of the votes, respectively. Young received 2,868 votes compared to Durkin’s 2,825. With a small difference of 43 votes, it is too close to officially confirm a winner, as 222 absentee ballots have not been considered yet. Results from the absentee ballots will be counted on Nov. 16.
Republican candidate Dan Wagner received 2,022 votes, or 13.42 percent of the vote, and will not take a position as a DeWitt Town Councilor, but will continue to serve as an East Syracuse Village Trustee.
“I’m happy with the result we have and I am extremely grateful to all of those who voted,” said Young. “I hope to see these results hold up.”
Durkin said that although the numbers are not in his favor, he is waiting to see the results of the absentee ballots before he officially concedes.
“I would like to thank all my supporters and especially my wife and kids. I am extremely proud to have garnered as many votes as I did since this was the first time I have ever run for office,” said Durkin. “While, we [Republicans] did not win, we certainly came close, and I think it speaks volumes that many residents of our town are ready for new representation and new ideas. I hope the current board members keep that in mind as they make decisions going forward.”
Doctor and Mannion’s terms were set to expire in 2016, as was Democrat Jack Dooling’s, but he did not seek reelection because he was recently named to the board of directors for Loretto and the Vera House. Mannion has been on the town board since 2008 and has been deputy supervisor since 2009.
“I want to thank all of the residents who came out to vote,” said Mannion after results were announced. “We need to continue to watch out budget closely, develop the solar panel farm on the landfill, successfully develop ShoppingTown Mall and other places, as well as improve the quality of live for all residents.”
Docter was appointed to the town board in January 2015 when Republican Ken Andrews left to take a position as the deputy of the civil department in the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Gene Conway. Dewitt Town Councilor seats have a term of four-years.
