by Kristina Gabalski
Brockport Mayor Connie Castañeda says the voters have decided and she congratulates the Revitalize Brockport team for their sweep of the village elections held Tuesday, June 18.
In unofficial results, Trustee Margaret Blackman won the race for mayor with 583 votes to Castañeda’s 350 votes.
“I wish the new board success,” Mayor Castañeda said in a statement. “I am certain the community will be watching the new board.
“I am proud and grateful,” she continued, “that I had the opportunity to serve my community for eight years. Now I will have more time to enjoy my family and friends and focus on other rewarding endeavors.”
Mayor-elect Margaret Blackman said she was happy that the vote was so decisive. “I feel good about that,” she said. “There were real issues and the people spoke.”
She said she will begin her term as mayor with a listening tour – talking with village employees and department heads to “see what’s working, what’s important and their goals.”
Blackman added that she expects the “atmosphere” of the village board will be different with the change in leadership.
The relationship between Mayor Castañeda and trustees has been contentious.
Mayor Castañeda said she felt charges filed against her in 2012 hurt her bid for re-election. The mayor had contended the charges were politically motivated. Ogden Town Justice David Murante dropped criminal charges against the mayor just before the election. She is still facing charges of code violations for allegedly renting out an illegal apartment in her home. Judge Murante has set a trial date of August 15 on the code violations. Assistant Monroe County District Attorney Mark Monaghan said he did not intend at this point to appeal the judge’s decision regarding the criminal charges. Mayor Castañeda has a lawsuit pending against the village for false arrest.
Voting was brisk during the June 18 village election with nearly 1,000 people casting their votes.
Revitalize Brockport candidates Trustee Carol Hannan and Valerie Ciciotti received 561 votes and 570 votes respectively and both won seats on the board.
Taxpayers First candidate Richard Ross received 336 votes and a write-in candidate (Kristina Telles) received 244 votes. Taxpayers First candidate Danny Blackburn, who withdrew from the race, received 113 votes.
Holley
In the Village of Holley, Stanley “Skip” Carpenter, Independent Party and Trustee Brian Sorochty, Taxpayer Party, were elected to two seats on the Village Board. Nancy Penna, Peoples Party, and William J. Quaranto, Family Party, had also run for trustee.
