On the right, Steve May, Mayor (elect), reacts to the announcement that he won the election and will be appointed the next Mayor of the Village of the Owego. (Photos by Wendy Post)
At the Central Fire Station in Owego Tuesday night, and following nine hours of polling, the Owego Taxpayers Party made a clean sweep – retaining and winning their elected seats. Steve May was elected Mayor of Owego, defeating Kevin Millar with a vote of 464 to Millar’s 345.
Also winning trustee seats were Owego Taxpayer Party candidates Earl Hartman 456 votes), Mike Phelps (484 votes) and Ed Morton (452 votes).
Rod Marchewka retained his seat as Clerk / Treasurer with 483 votes.
From left, Michael Roberts and Zachary Gann view the sample ballot as they wait for the polls to open at noon at the Central Fire Station in Owego. Both Roberts and Gann voted for their first time ever in this year’s village election.
This year’s village elections have run under two separate parties, the Rebuild Owego Party and the Taxpayers First Party.
Running under the Rebuild Owego Party was incumbent Mayor Kevin Millar, Rod Marchewka, who ran for reelection as clerk / treasurer; and Patrick Cartwright, Theresa Gosart and Dick Van Hall, who ran to fill trustee seats.
Steve May is part of the Taxpayers First Party and ran with Earl Hartman and Mike Phelps, incumbents who ran for re-election for trustee seats; and Ed Morton, who was a first time candidate running for a trustee seat.
Donna Hoban casts her vote at the Central Fire Station in Owego on Tuesday. Hoban’s husband served as Mayor in 1997 and ran under the “Youth Party”.
Upon winning the election, May stated, “It’s time to get to work.”
Ed Morton, who is a new trustee voted in Tuesday night, stated he was elated. “I’m very happy with the result.
Patrick Cartwright, who was defeated for a trustee position, stated that they did their best. “We tried our best, but the voters spoke,” said Cartwright.
And this year saw an average turn out of voters, with 800 of 2,087 registered voters participating.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, there were already a couple of voters lined up and waiting for the polls to open.
One village resident, Michael Roberts, was voting for his first time, in any election, along with his friend Zachary Gann. At the age of 30, Roberts said that he has realized how important it is to vote.
“A particular candidate went above and beyond to help me out,” said Roberts, adding that whenever he has needed help, he has gotten results.
His friend Zachary had the same reasons, and stated that they have gained an interest in voting and politics, and they are both following the Presidential election as well.
And although they are only two votes, they felt that they would make a difference by coming out and voting.
“In local elections,” Roberts added, “voting makes a difference.”
But these two weren’t the first to vote, in spite of their early arrival. Jason Howe was the first one to vote in the Village election. Howe stated that the election is important, and he hoped for a good turnout this year – for both parties running.
Donna Hoban arrived later in the day. Her husband, Dick Hoban, was Mayor in 1997 in the Village of Owego. According to Hoban, her husband ran under the “Youth Party”.
“I come to vote every year,” said Hoban.
As for the candidates, some arrived early to cast their vote. Millar arrived at noon and cast his vote at approximately 12:10 p.m. as well as other members from the Rebuild Owego Party.
Steve May arrived to cast his vote later in the day.
The newly elected officials will take office on April 4.
Photos taken at the polling location following the announcement of the election results:
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- Cheryl May reacts following the announcement of the election results.
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