Update: The Onondaga County Board of Elections has announced that the town councilor race falls within the absentee ballot margin and is too close to call. Absentee and affidavit ballots will be counted Nov. 16.
By Ashley M. Casey
Staff Writer
The Clay Town Board will welcome three new members next year: Brian Hall, Ryan Pleskach and Kevin Meaker.
According to unofficial election night results, Hall, a Republican, led with 5,578 votes (18.43 percent). Republican challenger Ryan Pleskach received 5,164 votes (17.06 percent) and Meaker, an Independence Party candidate who ran on the Democratic and Independence lines, received 5,138 votes (16.98 percent).
The Onondaga County Board of Elections announced that the town councilor race falls within the absentee ballot margin and is too close to call between Meaker and Democratic challenger Maureen Patterson. Absentee and affidavit ballots will be counted Nov. 16.
Regardless of which one prevails, Meaker or Patterson would make history in the town of Clay. The last non-Republican who held a seat on the town board was Don McLaughlin, a Democrat who served from 1976 to 1995.
“I am humbled by the support of my family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and the residents of the town of Clay,” Meaker wrote in an email to the Star-Review.
On her campaign Facebook page, Patterson thanked her supporters and said the town needs continued community involvement.
“The experience has been enlightening and rewarding. Even in losing an election, we can change the conversation, motivate the voters, and give a voice to all,” she wrote.
While Hall, Pleskach and likely Meaker (barring an absentee upset) will begin new careers on the Clay Town Board, Republican incumbent Naomi Bray’s tenure comes to an end. Bray has served as a town councilor since 1994, when she was appointed to fill the seat of Bob McQuatters, who passed away in 1993.
“It was an incredibly unusual Election Day. The numbers were just surprising.There were fewer than a thousand votes that separated the six people that were running for town board,” Bray said. “I think, unfortunately, the town government got caught up in an election year where the circumstances reached far beyond the government of the town.”
Bray said the issue of the state Constitutional Convention may have drawn voters to the polls who might usually skip a non-presidential election. These voters likely cast their ballots along party lines.
“That’s great,” Bray said of the increased voter turnout, but she added, “I just regret that there were circumstances that did not give the focus on the town achievements that the town deserved.”
Pleskach expressed similar sentiments in an email to the Star-Review. He thanked his supporters, friends and family, but encouraged residents to look past party lines in future elections.
“I am a Republican, but I am not only a Republican. … My interest lies in helping the Town solve problems and adapting Clay to 21st century economic trends. And I firmly believe that a good idea can originate from anywhere,” he wrote. “I ask that you give me a chance and judge me by my accomplishments over my term, and not the logo next to my name on a ballot.”
The town board vote broke down as follows:
- *Brian Hall, Republican challenger: 5,578 votes
- *Ryan Pleskach, Republican challenger: 5,164 votes
- *Kevin Meaker, Independent challenger who ran on Democratic line 5,138 votes
- Maureen Patterson, Democratic challenger: 5,007 votes
- Naomi Bray, Republican incumbent: 4,826 votes
- Andrea Ferro, Democratic challenger: 4,527 votes
Incumbents retain seats
In addition to the town board race, the following offices were up for election in Clay:
- Town supervisor: Republican incumbent Damian Ulatowski retained his seat with 6,046 votes (57.19 percent of the vote). Democratic challenger Beth Lockhart received 4,519 votes (42.74 percent).
- Town clerk: Republican incumbent Jill Hageman-Clark has been re-elected with 6,212 votes. Democratic challenger Denise Baker earned 4,283 votes.
- Tax receiver: Jodee Kelly, the Republican incumbent, ran unopposed. She received 8,689 votes.
Onondaga County Legislature
Meanwhile, in the Second District, James Rowley was unchallenged for fellow Republican John Dougherty’s seat; he received 3,863 votes. The Second District includes the eastern portion of the town of Clay.
In the 14th District, Casey Jordan has won another term. Jordan, a Republican who has served as the 14th District County Legislator since 2006, defeated newcomer Stefanie Heath, a Democrat from North Syracuse. Heath, founder of Cuse Pit Crew, earned 2,314 votes to Jordan’s 2,650. The 14th District covers the western portion of the town of Clay.
