But with some interesting changes that may contain a message . . .
That's my assessment of the election results.
A number of new faces will be taking positions in January but not necessarily new parties, so it is unclear if voters in those places have picked a new direction for their communities.
But something is happening in New Hartford . . .
Long a Republican stronghold, Paul Miscione takes a seat on the Town Council away from Christine Krupa, and David Gordon (who lost this race a couple times before) takes a County Legislative seat from Fred Sadallah. Is New Hartford becoming disillusioned with the Republican establishment?
Another County Legislative seat that will switch hands to Democrat: Harmony Speciale replaces old-timer Howard Welch. Although the Republicans still have a majority on the County Legislature, it is narrowed. However, of the 29 seats up for grabs, less than half -- only 12 -- were contested.
What would have happened if there were contests in all races?
As evident from the Utica Mayor's race and County Exec race, minor parties play a minor role in this area (spoiler at best) ... The thinking among voters seems to be, if one of the two major parties does not endorse a particular candidate, the candidate is not worth considering.
The Democrats did not field a candidate for County Executive. The Republicans did not field a candidate for District Attorney. The Voters were deprived of the chance of sending government in a new direction for two very important positions.
Few choices for voters result in a government that is stagnant. And a government that is stagnant results in a region that is stagnant. Party leaders need to do more to cultivate and promote alternatives if the region is to move forward.
10 comments:
Went to vote yesterday and wound up leaving most of the ballot blank . I refuse to vote in any race in which the is no opposition. We wonder why this area cannot thrive and prosper the reason is the LOUSY POLITICS in the county. Maintaing the status quo is the only thing that matters around here.
I did the same thing.
The Dems did not run a candidate for C.E. because the fix was in. Both parties are corrupt, & Picente was assured a win when the Democratics didn't run a candidate. Both parties don't want the voter's to have a choice. Period. The chosen one, {Picente} will not upset the apple cart so he's allowed to run unopposed by the other party. That's politics in Oneida County, & the public good be damned. I boycotted the election this year, for the 1st time in a good many years. I've had it with the game playing practiced by both parties, & I refuse to be a part of it. The hell with 'em, they're all cut from the same cloth.
The party leadership is appalling. It is not a reason to avoid voting. I have never missed a vote no matter how bad the choices. This year, I wrote in candidates on several races as it is much easier now than in the past with the paper ballot.
I agree with Strike's assessment. Now we need to start a grass roots effort to encourage participation from everyone! The insiders like it just the way it is.
The last Anonymous comment says it all. The most destructive act to a community and country is not to vote. It is also very dumb since we all pay taxes. There were choices this year and our voting turnouts were horribly low.The County Executive turn out was about 31%. That is a sure sign of a dying community. And, although there is some truth in what Strike says about third parties, the thoughtful voter should react differently.
The problem is that the majority of people who do vote aren't really in tune to what's actually going on in their respective districts. For instance in New Hartford, the voters put in a new councilman in the second ward, despite the fact that she, the incumbent, mostly voted for decisions which would lead to a cut in taxes; but in the fourth ward the voters re=elected an incumbent who never offers anything other than "well, we have to take a look at that" "that" being any situation that requires a decision which has the possibility of being unpopular, yet necessary. The commenter who stated the apple cart can't be upset has it right--those in office are looking out only for themselves and their close alliances-not for the taxpayer. It's really a shame that the voters make such an uniformed decision. But then again, one gets what they ask for.
Exactly right. The voter and non voter get precisely what they ask for. There is also the adage that elected reps are merely a refelection of their constituents. I believe that the County Executive and Mayors of both Rome and Utica come Jan. 1 will not have bachelor degrees.
Anonymous,
Christine Krupa was part of the Republican Elitist machine who allowed tax increases of nearly 50% and 40% be imposed upon town residents. Mrs. Krupa was very much a "family and friends" player and benefited from her serving on the Board.
I for one, would hire the garbage man to represent me vs. her!
Krupa also did not answer letters from constituents and did not even grasp who was in her district.
I'm late to this conversation, but I see I'm not alone in declining to vote for uncontested races.
In a small way, I always thought it was sending a message, nonetheless, but unless somehow the 'not-voting' decision is publicized, I'm afraid my message is lost.
While the OD publishes the vote tallies for contested races, it could serve the electorate immensely by also publishing 1) the total number of voters who signed in on election day to cast their vote, and 2) the number of votes actually cast in the uncontested races. A third piece of information that would be useful would be to list any write-in candidates and the votes they received, but I realize that space & layout considerations may complicate their publication. (They could always put it on line, though.)
I still like the idea of a 'None of the above' choice for all races on the ballot.
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