By Matt Youngfrau
SULLIVAN COUNTY — November 9, 2001 – Tuesday night, candidates waited most of the night to find out election results.
Some are still waiting.
Due to several glitches, court challenges, and to-be-counted absentee ballots, the outcomes of a few races may not be known for weeks.
This year's election featured a race for two Supreme Court Justices, County Sheriff, District Attorney, County Treasurer, Legislator in District 9, and various positions in all 15 townships.
All results are still unofficial. New York State is allowing 13 days from November 6 for absentee and military ballots to arrive. Confirmation hearings have yet to be set but should take place either the week of Thanksgiving or the next week, said local election officials. Results have to be filed with the state before December 3.
County Sheriff
In the Sheriff's race, incumbent Dan Hogue retained his post over his challenger, Fallsburg Police Chief Brent Lawrence. Hogue won the election by well over 3,000 votes.
"I thank the people of Sullivan County," Hogue said Tuesday night as he watched the results come in. "I look very much forward to the next four years. I am glad to be here during the new renaissance of Sullivan County."
District Attorney
District Attorney Stephen Lungen ran unopposed. Thus, he garnered more than 10,000 votes.
County Treasurer
As expected, the Treasurer's race was very close, and incumbent Treasurer Olga Parlow narrowly beat her challenger, former Liberty Mayor Ron Gozza, by a little over 600 votes.
All night long, the numbers fluctuated, and the lead changed back and forth.
"I knew it would be close. [But] I did not expect it to be this close,” said Parlow. “I am thankful for the support of the county. We will continue to streamline the department and will work on upgrading the office to make it more efficient."
District 9 Legislator
In the Legislator race to represent Monticello and part of the Town of Thompson, it appears Republican Jim Carnell bested his three opponents, Sam Wohl, Jesse York, and Al Etkin. Carnell beat Wohl by almost 400 votes.
"This is a great feeling for me and for those who helped me," commented Carnell. "I thank those in the district who supported me. Without them, this would not have happened.
"In the last year, there has been lots of turmoil with this seat. I want to settle down and get down to business. There are many events that will be taking place in a short time."
However, there may be a challenge coming in that race. In Rock Hill’s Election District 2, there was a problem with the voting machines, and no results were marked for Wohl.
After the absentee ballots come in and if it looks close, Thompson Democratic Party Chair Bill Rosen stated they would challenge the results. Until then, all are taking a wait-and-see attitude.
Mamakating Supervisor/
Councilperson
Most eyes, however, are focused on the race in Mamakating. During Election Day, the machines broke down, and people voted on official paper ballots for several hours.
Supervisor Mary Barbuti, running for reelection, obtained a court order to impound the ballots.
Barbuti has a slight 106-vote lead over her challenger, Fred Harding Jr. With approximately 150 absentee ballots, the results could easily change.
Results could also be affected in the town’s Councilperson race. Less than 100 votes separate the top four vote-getters for the two seats. Right now, the standings are Judith Young (960), Nicholas Salamone (958), Jerry Salamone (920), and Robert Fiore (885).
Fremont Supervisor
In another contested Supervisor race, Fremont Supervisor James Greier retained his seat by beating challenger Bruce Reichmann. Greier won by over 150 votes.
Thompson Supervisor/
Councilperson
The only other contested Supervisor race was in the Town of Thompson. Supervisor Tony Cellini was re-elected by more than 1,000 votes over challenger James Cavello.
The Town Board seats, however, are still up in the air. While William Rieber Jr. easily retained his position, absentee ballots will decide who gets the other seat: incumbent Stewart "Peppy" Satenstein or Connie Keller.