Eli Ruiz | Democrat Lawrence Wechsler votes Tuesday at the Ted Stroebele Recreation Center in Monticello while his wife Harriet waits.

Obama win sets pattern

Story by Dan Hust
SULLIVAN COUNTY — Voters across Sullivan County made their choices known on Election Day, with potential upsets in NYS Supreme Court, Bethel, Woodridge and Tusten.
Former County Legislator Leni Binder may return to public service, this time as a Woodridge Village Trustee. And Neversink will likely remain a “dry” town.
Below is the roundup of local-only results, all unofficial, with overall winners marked in bold. However, some races have outstanding absentee ballots which could alter outcomes, with counting set to begin on Nov. 20.
U.S. President/Vice President
President Barack Obama’s national win was reflected in Sullivan County, where he garnered 54.42 percent of the vote compared to Mitt Romney’s 44.02 percent.
• Barack Obama/Joe Biden – Democratic and Working Families – 13,781
• Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan – Republican, Conservative, Independence – 11,148
• Gary Johnson/James Gray – Libertarian – 172
• Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala – Green – 170
• Virgil Goode/Jim Clymer – Constitution – 45
• Peta Lindsay/Yari Osorio – Party for Socialism and Liberation – 6
U.S. Senator
With Sullivan County voters, incumbent U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand easily outdistanced her challengers.
• Kirsten Gillibrand – Democratic and Working Families – 15,490
• Wendy Long – Republican and Conservative – 7,675
• Colia Clark – Green – 192
• Chris Edes – Libertarian – 108
• John Mangelli – Common Sense – 86
NYS Supreme Court Justice
Third Judicial District
Sullivan County’s own Stephan Schick landed a State Supreme Court seat. Not surprisingly, more local voters picked him than any other candidate.
• Stephan Schick – Democratic – 12,844
• Richard Mott – Democratic and Working Families – 10,964
• E. Michael Kavanagh – Republican and Independence – 9,676
• Bernard Malone Jr. – Republican and Independence – 7,748
• Larry Weissmann – Working Families – 889
U.S. Congressman
Retiring Democratic U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey’s successor will be a Republican who’s already in Congress, Chris Gibson. Notably, however, Hinchey-endorsed Democrat Julian Schreibman captured a slim majority of Sullivan County voters.
• Julian Schreibman – Democratic and Working Families – 11,788
• Chris Gibson – Republican, Conservative, Independence – 10,947
NYS Senator, 42nd District
Incumbent Senator John Bonacic was unchallenged.
• John Bonacic – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 16,012
NYS Assembly, 100th District
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther fended off a challenge from Gary Linton. She’ll continue to represent all of Sullivan County except the Town of Neversink, which is now in the 101st District.
• Aileen Gunther – Democratic, Working Families, Independence – 15,839
• Gary Linton – Republican and Conservative – 6,776
NYS Assembly, 101st District
The elongated 101st District now includes Sullivan County’s Town of Neversink. Claudia Tenney won both local and districtwide majority support.
• Claudia Tenney – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 842
• Daniel Carter – Democratic – 497
SC Family Court Judge
Incumbent Family Court Judge Mark Meddaugh was unopposed and enjoyed the broadest support of any candidate running in the county.
• Mark Meddaugh – Democratic, Republican, Independence, Conservative – 21,570
Sullivan County Coroner
With three four-year positions open, the three incumbents were shoo-ins.
• Elton Harris – Democratic, Conservative, Independence – 16,802
• Michael Speer – Republican, Independence, Conservative – 14,051
• Thomas Warren – Republican, Conservative, Independence – 13,777
Bethel Town Council
Lillian Hendrickson seems to have successfully challenged appointed incumbent Councilman Bob Blais to fill a vacancy left by the death of Councilman Richard Crumley. However, up to 315 absentee ballots are left to be counted.
• Lillian Hendrickson – Democratic – 775
• Robert Blais – Republican, Conservative, Independence – 640
Delaware Town Justice
Incumbent Eric Nystrom was unopposed.
• Eric Nystrom – Democratic – 676
Fallsburg Town Justice
Incumbent Robert Scheinman was unopposed.
• Robert Scheinman – Democratic, Conservative, Independence – 2,455
Woodridge Village Mayor
The only mayoral race in the entire county was in the Village of Woodridge, and for a two-year position, it was certainly a hotly contested one. Incumbent Mayor Louis Saperstein may have lost to longtime Trustee Joan Collins, but there are up to 106 absentee votes left to count.
• Joan Collins – People’s Voice – 91
• Marie Quick – Fresh Start – 60
• Louis Saperstein – Ultra – 52
• Chris Beatty – Time for Change – 51
Woodridge Village Justice
Two candidates fought to replace retiring Woodridge Village Justice Ken Kalter, with up to 106 absentee ballots outstanding.
• Heriberto Eddie Hernandez – Evergreen – 134
• Joe Lee – Trust for Law – 87
Woodridge Village Trustee
The two Woodridge Village Board incumbents, Yits Kantrowitz and Jim Slater, held on to their seats, though the results could change, due to up to 106 absentee ballots.
• James Slater – People’s Voice – 124
• Isaac Yits Kantrowitz – People’s Voice – 115
• Steven Levy – Bright Idea – 92
• Leonel Cortizo Sr. – Common Sense – 70
Woodridge Village Trustee (vacancy)
The passing of incumbent Arlene Messina left a vacancy on the Woodridge Village Board, likely to be filled by former County Legislator Leni Binder, depending on the tally of up to 106 absentee votes.
• Leni Binder – We the People – 125
• Ivan Katz – People’s One – 71
• Verben Konviser – People’s Party – 34
Forestburgh Town Council
Incumbent Councilwoman Susan Parks-Landis ran unopposed to continue serving on the Forestburgh Town Board.
• Susan Parks-Landis – Republican and Caring for Forestburgh – 271
Fremont Town Justice
An open Fremont Town Justice seat turned into a close race, and results could change, thanks to up to 86 absentee ballots.
• Shannan Armbrust – Republican – 279
• Frank Armstrong – Democratic – 233
Highland Town Justice
Incumbent Highland Town Justice Tony LaRuffa ran unopposed for re-election.
• Anthony LaRuffa – Democratic, Republican, Conservative – 825
Lumberland Town Council
David Leamon seems destined to fill the vacancy on the Lumberland Town Board, but up to 91 absentee votes could change that.
• David Leamon – Republican – 430
• Martha Tully – Democratic, Conservative, Leadership – 374
Lumberland Proposition
The Lumberland Town Board asked residents whether they would be agreeable to instituting a $600 annual service award to active volunteer firefighters with the Lumberland Fire Department.
At age 65, those firefighters would be able to receive the accrued monies, plus get death/disability benefits if they remain active past 65.
Starting in January, the program is estimated to cost $25,000, decreasing by about 30 percent after five years, with a $3,000 annual administration fee.
• Yes – 583
• No – 266
Neversink Proposition
Town of Neversink voters once again apparently opted to keep the town “dry” instead of “wet” – in other words, no alcohol can be sold in the township. The vote, however, was closer than in years past, and up to 160 absentee ballots remain to be counted.
• No – 799
• Yes – 685
Rockland Town Justice
Richard Dame will be the next Rockland Town Justice, replacing the late Franklin Gibson.
• Richard Dame – Democratic and Conservative – 699
• Ralph Bressler – Republican – 493
• Louis D’Andrea – Independent Citizens – 31
Tusten Town Council
Perhaps the hottest race in the county was in the Town of Tusten, where an open board seat currently occupied by Andrea Reynosa may go to Ned Lang, depending on how up to 78 absentee ballots lean.
• Ned Lang – Republican – 318
• Andrea Reynosa – Democratic and Rural Heritage – 266
Tusten Proposition
Town of Tusten voters approved having the entire town board appoint the town bookkeeper versus just the supervisor having that authority.
• Yes – 369
• No – 200