Parma town council election results in

Parma town council election results in
Contested absentee ballots cause for delay

The elections took place in November but results were finalized only recently after issues arose with absentee ballot issues. Republican incumbent James M. Smith was declared the winner of the one-year council seat in the Town of Parma.

When results were tallied on November 7, Smith appeared to be the winner with 2,286 votes. Political newcomer Joseph Rittler, a Democrat, received 2,284.

A lawsuit was filed by Smith on November 14 to keep board of election officials from opening and counting absentee ballots received on November 8. His suit was filed because the mailing envelopes from the ballots could not be found to verify that they'd been postmarked by the November 6 deadline. Judge Harold Galloway ruled in Smith's favor that the ballots not be counted.

Smith said he was pleased the issue was behind him and that he could get back to the business of helping run the town.

"We just passed a budget for the town that brought with it no tax rate increase," he said. "Even in the face of mandatory increases in benefits, we were able to hold the line on the budget."

Smith said he and other board members will continue to work on initiatives to keep taxes in line. "We want to begin better budgeting procedures for the replacement of capital equipment," he said.

Working to develop a schedule for use of town facilities has also been undertaken. "I've been working on an online calendar or a spreadsheet to coordinate the use of the fields," he said.

In an e-mailed response, Rittler wrote, "While I am understandably disappointed with the outcome of the lawsuit filed by my opponent, I am elated and humbled by the warm reception voters of all political stripes gave me on November 7. I intend to continue watching out for what I feel is in the best interests of our community."

As for the soccer complex, which was a hotly contested issue in the election race, Smith said, "There never was a proposal before the town board to act upon. There may be in the future, but it doesn't fit in the current zoning of the town. The race shouldn't have been as close as it was except for the fact that my opponent kept bringing up the soccer complex."