VILLAGE OF LEWISTON: GOP holds its ground

By Dan Miner<br><a href="mailto:minerd@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
Niagara Gazette

June 17, 2008 10:15 pm

— The Village of Lewiston Board of Trustees remains Republican through-and-through after Tuesday’s election.
GOP incumbents Ron Winkley and Mike Marra were the top two votegetters in a tightly contested four-horse race. Democratic challengers Dave Baird and Bob Giannetti came out on the losing end after an active two months of campaigning.
The seats carry four-year terms.
“I had a good time walking door-to-door with Mike and I’m looking forward to working a full four-year term,” Winkley said. “It was a great win and we’re going to keep the village going in a good direction.”
Winkley, the recently retired Lewiston police chief, was appointed to the board in November after longtime board member Kenneth Kenney resigned. Just prior to that, he made a failed bid for Town of Lewiston supervisor.
Marra, who also serves as village deputy mayor, was running on the independent line, “Our Village Party,” after losing out on the Republican line in the village caucuses to Baird — who later declined the GOP nod. He applauded what he called a “great turnout” and said he’s excited about the chance at a second term.
“I think I’m better equipped to serve the village now after four years on the job,” Marra said.
“I think every American that loves Democracy should run for office at least once,” Baird said. Later, he said, “It was a clean, issue-oriented campaign very worthy of the Village of Lewiston.”
Baird, a longtime village resident who’s retired from Occidental Chemical, has said he’s wanted to run for public service for a while but waited until his brother, Al, retired from the Lewiston police force to do so. He said he’s undecided right now as to whether he might run for the board again.
Giannetti, who owns Bob’s Olde Books shop on Center Street, called the race “an honor and a privilege” and pointed out the spirited campaign forced candidates on both sides to take the issues seriously.
“I’m going to remain involved with the issues that brought me to the campaign,” he said. Later, he added, “Two fine people won but I think our issues are vital and I will continue to work in that arena.”
Giannetti, like Baird, said he’s undecided about what his future holds.
Winkley and Marra will start their new terms alongside fellow Republican trustees William Geiben and Terry Collesano. Mayor Richard Soluri is also Republican.