|
Published: November 04, 2009 12:11 am
CITY COUNCIL: Incumbents, Grandinetti claim three City Council seats
Niagara Gazette
Niagara Falls Democrats posted a clean sweep over Republicans in the race for three City Council seats as incumbents Charles Walker and Samuel Fruscione were re-elected and newcomer Kristen Grandinetti defeated Republican challengers Kenneth Pawlukovich and Candra Thomason.
Fruscione, elected to his second straight term, was the top vote-getter with 3,610 votes, according to unofficial results from the Niagara County Board of Elections. Grandinetti finished with 3,483 votes and Walker secured the final seat, and his fourth consecutive term on the council, with 2,915.
“I’m very grateful and glad the residents came out and supported what I’ve been doing for the past four years,” Fruscione said. “I’ve gone after a few people (as a councilman) and you wonder what the repercussions would be. But the only thing I’ve been trying to do is improve the city.”
Fruscione and Grandinetti cruised to victory with 24 and 23 percent of the votes respectively in the five-way race. However, the third seat came down to the wire with Walker barely holding off Pawlukovich, who garnered 2,469 votes in his first bid for public office.
Thomason, a former councilwoman who ran unsuccessfully for re-election in 2005 and then for mayor in 2007, finished last with 2,200 votes.
With several LaSalle districts still to report, Walker admitted to being nervous as he stood with supporters and other Democrats at Shorty’s Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill on Pine Avenue. But as the results trickled in, he breathed a sigh of relief as his lead was cemented.
“This time around, the opposition was pretty stiff,” Walker said. “In local races, party affiliation isn’t always a winning combination. I want to thank the taxpayers. It feels good to know they feel the choices I made as a councilmember were in their best interest.”
Pawlukovich said he was disappointed that he didn’t earn a seat on the council but was encouraged with the number of votes he received. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans by more than a 3-to-1 margin in the city.
“I was pleased that my position was not that far behind Charles,” he said. “He’s an 11-year incumbent.”
After their victories were secure, Walker and Grandinetti congratulated each other and took in a loud applause from supporters, including Mayor Paul Dyster and committee members of the Democratic Party.
Grandinetti wiped tears from her eyes. She had said earlier one of her main reasons for running was to honor her late father and her friend Carolyn Van Schaik, who died in an automobile accident in 2003. Both were devoted community advocates.
“This is for my dad and for Carolyn,” she said. “I hope I can be half the man and woman in the community that they were.”
Fruscione was not among those celebrating at Shorty’s. He instead watched the results come in and celebrated with supporters at his campaign headquarters down the road.
Though he was one of the three endorsed candidates of the Democratic Party, Fruscione has clashed with Party Chairman Michael Lewis and Mayor Paul Dyster. And it doesn’t look like that’s going to change as he enters his second council term.
“What today’s election shows is that I needed the support of the people of Niagara Falls and not Michael Lewis and his Democratic Party,” Fruscione said. “I’m really going to crank up the volume now.”
City Council vote
Samuel F. Fruscione: 3,610
Kristen M. Grandinetti: 3,483
Charles A. Walker: 2,915
Kenneth A. Pawlukovich: 2,469
Candra C. Thomason: 2,200
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Junior Accountant
Auto Detailer full time, exp. pref. Apply at David Chevy Buick Pontiac, 10225 Nia Falls Blvd. or 298-9700 ask for Frank....>MORE
Information Technology
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - Niagara County Community College is seeking a Director of User and Administrative Technology Se...>MORE
auto detailer
Auto Detailer full time, exp. pref. Apply at David Chevy Buick Pontiac, 10225 Nia Falls Blvd. or 298-9700 ask for Frank....>MORE
Retail Manager
RETAIL Manager needed, exp needed, full time. Fax resumes to Hyde Park Laundry 285-8677....>MORE
BILINGUAL PHONE INTERVIEWER
Bilingual Telephone interviewer. Surveys for insurance policy review. Spanish/English a Must. ft/pt & Sat. No sales/coll...>MORE
Physical Therapy Assistant
PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSISTANT (PTA)
Looking for a self-motivated PTA to provide PT services for premier lo...>MORE
PHONE SALES
PHONE sales, great pay, exp. a plus, nice NT office, FT/PT, hrly. +, Pete or Mike, 694-1251...>MORE
Cook
COOK full time. Apply in person only, Augie’s Diner, 2470 Military Rd. ...>MORE
Health Care
Health Care. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES/LAUNDRY SUPERVISORS. Excellent full-time day and evening opportunities. Experienced,...>MORE
Maintenance Technician
MAINTENANCE Technician, FT, exp. needed in electrical, plumbing, heating & cooling, Apply in person bet. 9 & 5 at 6751 ...>MORE
See all ads |
1996 Ford Escort
FORD 1996 Escort 4 cyl, 2 dr, exc cond in & out, no rust, 1 owner, only 61k orig mi, $2195. 523-7102...>MORE
Ford 2001 Taurus
Ford 2001 Taurus Station wagon, well maintained, 112,000 miles Siver ext. 4 dr, auto, asking $2800/BO. 716-772-2454....>MORE
Monte Carlo Z24 1998
MONTE CARLO Z24, 1998, runs good, average miles, excellent shape, $1800 , 990-2303...>MORE
Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Chevy 1994 High Topper Van
CHEVY 1994 High topper van, high road miles, mechanically sound, $900 or bo, 716-510-8105...>MORE
VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE
Nissan 1993 4x4
NISSAN 1993 4x4, extended cab, bedliner cap, $1200 or best offer, 715-2450...>MORE
1999 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1999 Caravan, 33, V6, auto, A/C, 99k miles, good cond., runs great. $1950. 525-7796...>MORE
1984 Cadillac Eldorado
CADILLAC Eldorado 1984, runs, inspected, $500. 283-3552....>MORE
Chevy 1995 Pickup
CHEVY 1995 Pickup truck, 4WD, 5 speed, must see, never had plow on it, $2800 bo, 804-5579...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|