By Sharon Space Bamberger
LIBERTY — November 5, 2010 — On Election night, the Milestone Restaurant in Liberty was filled with happy Republican, Conservative, Democratic and Independence party supporters of Sullivan County Court Judge candidate Michael McGuire, NYS Senator John Bonacic and Liberty Town Councilman Maurice Gerry.
As results were announced town by town, cheers drowned out Jodi Goodman at the mike. The Sullivan County Legislator begged the crowd to hush so others could hear the results.
Gerry received congratulations from supporters all evening. When McGuire and Bonacic entered the restaurant after the results were in, pandemonium broke out. Everyone wanted to shake the hands of the successful candidates.
Bonacic told the crowd, “It is a tremendous honor to represent the people of our senate district. I am humbled and honored by their continued support and trust.”
McGuire’s campaign against Cindy Barber was fraught with charges and countercharges, but he won every township in the county. The results indicated that many people had voted for him across party lines. The day after elections, there were 1,900 absentee ballots to be counted. However, McGuire had enough of a lead to be safely declared the winner.
McGuire told the Democrat, “It was a tough fight, but we are appreciative of the voters who did not believe that negative, gutter politics by our opponent in radio, TV and newspaper ads. I had to answer the claims, but it was difficult seeing my wife Corinne and our family torn apart by negativity. We were lucky to have a lot of support.”
The judge-elect will shortly begin the process of dissolving his private practice; the state constitution prohibits County, Supreme or Surrogate Court Judges from practicing as a lawyer during their term.

Election 2010:
How we voted

By Dan Hust
SULLIVAN COUNTY — Tuesday’s elections featured no real surprises, though some races ended up being closer than expected.
County Elections Co-Commissioner Rodney Gaebel said there were virtually no problems at the 63 polling locations around Sullivan County, even with the full rollout of electronic voting machines.
“We actually had less problems this year than in past years with the lever machines,” he noted.
While absentee/affidavit ballots will begin to be counted next week, he did not expect any outcomes to change, save perhaps in the Town of Cochecton Council race.
Here’s the roundup, culled from the unofficial results (county figures only):
NYS Governor/
Lieutenant Governor
Favored front-runner Andrew Cuomo won at both the county and state level and now has a chance to build upon his father Mario’s legacy at the helm of the state.
• Andrew Cuomo/
Robert J. Duffy – Democratic, Independence, Working Families – 10,850
• Carl P. Paladino/Gregory J. Edwards – Republican, Conservative, Taxpayers – 7,894
• Kristin M. Davis/Tanya Gendelman – Anti-Prohibition – 361
• Howie Hawkins/Gloria Mattera – Green – 335
• Jimmy McMillan – Rent Is 2 Damn High – 209
• Warren Redlick/Alden Link – Libertarian – 166
• Charles Baron/Eva M. Doyle – Freedom – 25
NYS Comptroller
Incumbent NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli lost in Sullivan County but won – barely – statewide.
• Thomas P. DiNapoli – Democratic and Working Families – 8,153
• Harry Wilson – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 9,500
• Julia A. Willebrand – Green – 609
• John Gaetani – Libertarian – 171
NYS Attorney General
While Eric Schneiderman won statewide approval to become the next Attorney General, opponent Dan Donovan carried Sullivan County.
• Eric T. Schneiderman – Democratic, Independence, Working Families – 9,065
• Dan Donovan – Republican and Conservative – 9,179
• Carl E. Person – Libertarian – 208
• Ramon J. Jimenez – Freedom – 35
U.S. Senator
Incumbent U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer easily retained his seat.
• Charles E. Schumer – Democratic, Independence, Working Families – 11,124
• Jay Townsend – Republican and Conservative – 7,821
• Colia Clark – Green – 229
• Randy A. Credico – Libertarian and Anti-Prohibition – 135
The other U.S. Senator race also went to the incumbent, Kirsten Gillibrand, who will have to run for it again in 2012.
• Kirsten E. Gillibrand – Democratic, Independence, Working Families – 10,672
• Joseph J. DioGuardi – Republican, Conservative, Taxpayers – 7,595
• Cecile A. Lawrence – Green – 188
• John Clifton – Libertarian – 108
• Joseph Huff – Rent Is 2 Damn High – 95
• Vivia Morgan – Anti-Prohibition – 53
• Bruce Blakeman – Tax Revolt – 27
U.S. Representative
Congressman Maurice Hinchey had a close call this week, but he’ll once again be serving the 22nd District in the House of Representatives.
• Maurice D. Hinchey – Democratic, Independence, Working Families – 10,171
• George K. Phillips – Republican and Conservative – 9,232
NYS Senator
Incumbent Senator John Bonacic held off a challenge by Sullivan County Legislator David Sager, both in the county and throughout the 42nd Senate District.
• John J. Bonacic – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 11,575
• David Sager – Democratic and Working Families – 7,541
Member of Assembly
Despite having no opposition, Democratic/Conservative Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther still pulled in a huge amount of votes: 14,344.
S.C. Court Judge
and Surrogate
Mike McGuire proved victorious over Cindy Barber in the incendiary race to succeed retiring County Court Judge Burton Ledina.
• Michael F. McGuire – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 11,074
• Cindy L. Barber – Democratic, Working Families, Justice for All – 8,113
Cochecton Town Council
Anna Story squeaked by challenger Tony Leone in the bid to fill out the remaining term of former Cochecton Councilman and current Supervisor Gary Maas. Absentee ballots could change this outcome.
• Anna Story – Democratic – 278
• Tony Leone – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 244
Liberty Town Council
Incumbent Liberty Councilman Maurice Gerry won the right to continue filling out the remainder of the late Sean Hanofee’s term.
• Maurice Gerry – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 1,378
• Jeremy Gorelick – Democratic, Working Families, United Liberty – 715
Highland Proposition
Voters in the Town of Highland were asked if they wanted to allow firefighters over 65 years of age who are serving in the Yulan and Highland Lake fire departments to accrue additional service award benefits if they remain active in those departments.
The majority agreed.
• Yes – 380
• No – 304
Neversink Proposition
Once again, Town of Neversink voters were asked if they wanted to allow alcohol to be sold and served within town boundaries, and once again, the majority said, “No, thanks.”
• No – 752
• Yes – 595