ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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Voting booths are open until 9 p.m. across New York State, including Niagara County.

There are several elections being decided by voters today in East Niagara, especially in the City of Lockport where every race is contested with the exception of Lockport City Court Judge where incumbent Bill Watson is running unopposed on seven party lines: Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Green, Working Families, Independence, and Reform.

The race for mayor of Lockport pits incumbent Mayor Anne McCaffrey on the Republican, Conservative, Green, Independence and Reform party lines against Roger Sherrie on the Democrat and Working Families lines.

The position of treasurer is being sought by incumbent Republican Mike White, who is also running on the Conservative and Independence lines; and Sue Mawhiney, running on the Democrat and Working Families lines. There is also a referendum to "abolish, transfer and curtail certain duties of the city treasurer" on the ballot.

The alderman-at-large race features incumbent Joe Kibler on the Republican, Conservative, Green, Independence and Reform party lines against Joe O'Shaughnessy on the Democrat and Working Families lines.

In the city's First Ward, Democrat Ed Tracy faces Republican Joe Oates. Jennifer D'Andrea-Terreri remains on the ballot on the Conservative and Independence lines but officially ended her campaign on Oct. 8, endorsing Oates.

The Second Ward features incumbent Democrat Anita Mullane -- who won the seat via special election -- against Republican Maria Updegraph. Mullane also has the Working Families line, while Updegraph is also on the Independence, Conservative, and Reform lines.

In the Third Ward, incumbent Kitty Fogle lost the Republican line to former firefighter Mark Devine in the primary, but she still holds the Green, Independence, Working Families and Reform party lines. Devine also hold the Conservative Party line. Zac Parker is running on the Democrat line.

The Fourth Ward sees incumbent Democrat Pat Schrader -- who also has the Working Families Party line -- against Republican David Wohleben on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform lines.

In the Firth Ward, Rick Abbott is running on the Democrat and Green party lines against Allan Jack on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform lines.

In the towns of Lockport and Newfane and Royalton, there are effectively no town-wide elections.

In the Town of Lockport, Mark Crocker is running unopposed for supervisor, Leonard Tilney Jr. is running unopposed for town justice, and Thomas Keough and Paul Siejak are running for the two town board seats.

In Newfane, Supervisor Tim Horanburg is running unopposed to keep his seat, Bruce Barnes is running unopposed to keep the town justice position, Mickey Kramp is running unopposed to retain the title of town clerk, Troy Barnes and Laura Rutland are running for two town council seats, Jon Miller is unopposed for superintendent of highways, and Terri Iannucci is unopposed as receiver of taxes.

In Royalton, Supervisor Jennifer Beiber is seeking re-election unopposed, Lee Criswell and Bradley Rehwaldt are running for the two council seats, and James Spark is running for superintendent of highways.

In Hartland, most of the races are similarly unopposed. Ross Annable is unopposed for supervisor. Cynthia Boyler is unopposed for town clerk, Daniel Hill and Clifford Grant are running for two town council seats, Keith Hurtgam is unopposed for superintendent of highways, and Katherine Hirner is unopposed as tax collector. The position that does offer competition is town justice where three people -- Joanne Sullivan, Lisa Trakas, and Brian Gross -- are seeking two seats.

In Somerset, Supervisor Dan Engert, running on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform lines, is being opposed by Paul Oliveria on the Somerset Independent Citizens line. Jeff Dewart and Randall Wayner are running for the two council seats, while Ruth Wendler is unopposed as tax collector.

There are two county-wide races: county clerk and district attorney. While Michael Violante is running for the D.A. post unopposed, there are three candidates for county clerk: Jamie Moxham of Wilson on the Democrat and Working Families lines, Wilson Town Supervisor Joe Jastrzemski on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform party lines, and Danielle Rotolo of North Tonawanda running on the Green line.

There are also contests in three of the five Niagara County Legislature races in East Niagara.

Democrat Russell DeFranco is opposing 11th District Legislator Tony Nemi, who is running on the Republican, Conservative, Green, Working Families, Independence and Reform lines.

In the 12th District, Democrat Bill Nye is running against Republican William Collins, who also has the Conservative, Green, Working Families, Independence and Reform party lines. David Mongielo remains on the ballot on the "Had Enough Yet" party, but he exited the race a little over a week ago.

13th District Legislator Keith McNall, running on the Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform party lines, is being opposed by Robert Drury on the Democrat line.

Republicans John Syracuse and Mike Hill are running unopposed in the 14th and 15th districts, respectively.

East Niagara Post will have election results as they're announced this evening by the Niagara County Board of Elections, beginning a few minutes after 9 p.m. We will also broadcast live election coverage on East Niagara Radio beginning around 8:30 p.m.

For more on all the races, click the "Vote 2015" tag below.

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