An infusion of new blood will be joining the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors next year.
At least six new supervisors—and maybe more when absentees are counted on November 19—were elected Tuesday as voters chose to oust incumbents in some towns and retain them in others.
Joining the board next year—according to the unofficial vote totals from the Schoharie County Board of Election--will be: Shawn Smith in Blenheim, Bill Smith in Broome, Leo McAllister in Cobleskill, Bill Federice in Conesville, Sean Jordan in Jefferson, and Karl Remmers in Wright.
Apparently losing their seats were incumbents Bob Mann in Blenheim, Tom Murray in Cobleskill and Dan Singletary in Jefferson.
Retaining their seats, according to unofficial results, were incumbents: Larry Bradt in Carlisle, Earl VanWormer in Esperance, Phil Skowfoe in Fulton, Tony VanGlad in Gilboa, Richard Lape in Richmondville, Gene Milone in Schoharie, Carl Barbic in Seward, and Harold Vroman in Summit.
A contentious year on the county board left some of the closest votes for supervisor in many years.
Democrat Mr. Skowfoe, who is the current chairman of the county board, leads 214 to 212 over Republican Frank Tatten.
In the other two tight races, Democrat Karl Remmers received 320 votes Tuesday to 317 for Republican Amber Bleau in the Town of Wright, and Democrat Shawn Smith got 70 votes to 64 for Republican Bob Mann in Blenheim.
After two tumultuous years for the county board, Republican Chairman Lew Wilson sees calmer times ahead.
“Come the first of the year, we’re going to have a much more cohesive board,” Mr. Wilson said Tuesday night.
He was also pleased to see fresh faces on the board.
“It’s good to see some young people coming in.”
Democratic Chairman Cliff Hay was pleased that the party picked up two seats, Blenheim and Wright, which have been in Republican control for many years.
If the results stay the way they are, the Republicans would wrest away control of the board from Democrats after a two-year hiatus.
According to the unofficial results, nine Republicans were elected Tuesday night compared to seven Democrats. In addition, the GOP would hold the majority of weighted votes on the board.