In an unexpected turn, a Republican will lead a Democrat-controlled Schoharie County Board of Supervisors in 2012.
Republican Harold Vroman of Summit was re-elected as chairman of the county board Monday morning despite the fact that the Democrats now control the board.
Mr. Vroman, who will enter his second year as chairman, outpolled Democrat Carl Barbic of Seward and Earl VanWormer III of Esperance for chairman.
Every Republican on the board, except for Mr. VanWormer who voted for himself, backed Mr. Vroman.
All the Democrats, except for Tom Murray of Cobleskill, voted for Mr. Barbic. Mr. Barbic is Mr. Murray's father-in-law.
Mr. Vroman backed Mr. Murray in his re-election bid in Cobleskill.
Cobleskill is the most populous town in the county and therefore Mr. Murray represents the most weighted votes on the county board.
Mr. Vroman unseated long-time Mr. VanWormer in a split vote last year.
After the vote, Mr. Vroman thanked the board members.
"Thank you for the support," he said, "and I look forward to working with everyone this year."
In addition to a Republican chairman, most of the other appointments at the re-organizational meeting remained the same despite a change in power.
Karen Miller of Middleburgh will remain as board clerk and Michael West was re-appointed as county attorney.
The big change in appointments was that county Treasurer Bill Cherry was unanimously appointed as budget officer replacing the team of Alicia Terry and Paul Brady, who head other county departments.
Supervisors were not able to elect a vice chairman as support was split between Phil Skowfoe of Fulton, Larry Bradt of Carlisle, Mr. Murray and Mr. VanWormer.
A vice chairman can be named at a later time, possibly the January 20 meeting of the board,
In other appointments, supervisors named:
• The Times-Journal as an official newspaper.
• Reverend Paul Ferenczy as jail chaplain.
• Denise Minton as Stop DWI Coordinator.
• Dale Nunamann, Jeffrey Sperbeck, Robert Ziegler, Howard Wayman, Robert Hyatt, Richard Cooper, and Scott Johnson as deputy fire coordinators.
• Harold Zoch of Middleburgh as county historian.