Published: November 06, 2007 11:32 pm      

COUNTY LEGISLATURE: No shift in power

Republican majority gains ground Tuesday

Republicans in the Niagara County Legislature received a ringing endorsement from voters on Tuesday.

Unofficial election results show that the GOP maintained its control of the majority caucus, 14 seats to five seats.

“I think it’s an affirmation of the fact that the majority caucus has done a great job,” said Niagara County Republican Party Chairman Henry Wojtaszek.

County Democrats had hoped to grab a few seats away from the Republicans who have held the majority in the Legislature since 2003.

One of the big issues in the race was a controversial tax break given by the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency to the AES power plant in Lewiston.

While several Democratic candidates had hoped to use the deal against the GOP, Republicans said voters sent a clear message that the GOP-influenced agreement wasn’t as important to them as other issues, like fiscal stability in county government.

Long-time Republican legislator in the 13th District, Clyde Burmaster, who narrowly survived a strong challenge from Democrat Ann Oakes, said voters recognized hard work done by GOP candidates on issues like increasing the county’s surplus and creating economic development opportunities.

“I think Niagara County is in good shape,” Burmaster said. “I think we are poised to move forward.”

Oakes, who decided to join the late race largely because of her disapproval of the AES agreement, said she was very satisfied with the fact that she challenged an established political veteran like Burmaster and very nearly won. Burmaster edged Oakes, 1,493-1,265.

“This is kind of spectacular, isn’t it, that a person with basically no experience can take on an incumbent and (be) close to beating him,” Oakes said.

Burmaster was one of several long-time Republican legislators who maintained their seats. Others included former legislative chairman Bill Ross who cruised to victory in the 8th District and Danny Sklarski, a Democrat who said he plans to continue to caucus with Republicans, who secured a win in the 6th District.

“It’s not about the party,” Sklarski said. “It’s how you represent the people in your district and the people in Niagara county. The voters decide whether they want you or not based on the job you do, not the party your in.”

Republicans entered the year with a majority caucus that included 14 out of 19 legislators. They finished Tuesday evening with a new majority caucus that includes a few new faces, including Paul Wotajszek, who secured an open seat in the 11th District and Anthony Nemi who scored a win over established Democrat Harry Apolito in the 15th District.

The night wasn’t a total loss for county Democrats who picked up one seat in the 3rd District as newcomer Jason Cafarella secured a seat vacated by the departure of Republican Rebecca Cuddahee who ran for the county coroner’s position.

“As long as we have a unified front, instead of competing interests, I think we can be very successful,” Cafarella said.