Vote Recount Does Not Change Local Election Outcomes

By Jan Howard

The 12-member Legislative Council remains evenly split between the two political parties following a required recount Wednesday of close races in Districts 2 and 3.

The vote was required because less than 20 votes separated candidates in District 2 and in District 3. Ballots were upheld for District 2 Democrats Joseph Hemingway, who received seven more votes than Robert Mullholland, Sr, and District 3 Democrat Daniel Amaral who outran fellow Democrat  Kim Danziger by 14 votes.

In the recount, Republican Joe Borst lost one vote and Republican Barbara Bloom gained one, according to Town Clerk Cindy Simon, but these changes did the affect the outcome.

 Republicans had outnumbered democrats on the council seven to five prior to the election when the Democrats picked up a seat in the third district to tie the board. Four members are elected from each of the three districts.

In addition to Mr Amaral, the newcomers to the board include David Brown, a Republican, and Democrat James Shpunt, Sr.

Incumbents reelected included in District 1, Republicans Michael Iassogna, Richard Recht, and Joseph Di Candido, and Democrat Francis Pennarola; District 2, Mr Borst, Mr Hemingway, and Democrats Timothy Holian and Peggy Baiad; and District 3, Republican William Rodgers.

Democrat Amy Dent and Republicans Brian White and Donald Studley did not seek reelection in the third district.