NORWICH – With 36 names on the list, the Chenango County Board of Elections office has never before had so many candidates file independent petitions in an election year.
“It’s an enormous amount. It’s the largest number we’ve ever had,” said Democratic Commissioner Carol A. Franklin.
The petitions were circulated and filed Aug. 24. The total number may change, said Republican Commission Harriet Jenkins, as time remains for objections. All of the candidates had confirmed their intent to run for office as of the deadline Friday.
Third party candidates can pick their own affiliations, and as expected, to drill or not to drill for natural gas appears to be the most dominate theme. Candidates have adopted: “Earth Friendly,” “Keep Water Safe” and “Clean Water” platforms, for example. Natural gas exploration issues, from road and water use ordinances to outright drilling bans, have dominated the discussion at council meetings in a handful of towns over the past year.
Though not all towns have caucused yet, and the Republican Party primaries aren’t until Sept. 13, the independent petitions filed last week set up additional races for county supervisor. There are five all together at this point: in Afton, Columbus, Coventry, McDonough and Smithville.
Some towns have yet to caucus and must do so by Sept. 23, which is the last day to accept or deny a nomination. Election Day is Nov. 8. Voters have the choice of selecting among candidates printed on the ballot or writing in their own candidate’s name.
There were a total of six independent petitions returned for political office in Coventry, a place in south-central Chenango County where opponents to a natural gas pipeline franchising proposal have crowded several town hall meetings.
Incumbent supervisor John M. Phelan Sr. and George L. Westcott, both Republicans, filed petitions. Each previously filed their party’s designating petitions, as did a third candidate vying for supervisor, Independence Party representative Larry G. Clark.
(Phelan objected to his opponents’ designating petitions shortly after they were filed in mid July. But according to Commissioner Jenkins, both stand.)
Coincidentally, after designating party petitions and the Democrats’ caucus, there are also six candidates for two open seats on the Coventry Town Council: Republicans Marion L. Ireland (the incumbent), Thomas A. Sisk and Patricia D. Fiske; and independents Douglas B. Besemer “Earth Friendly,” Daniel M. Clark “We the People” and Gwendolyn M. Hinman, “Liberty.”
The Town of Afton has been another hotbed of debate between gas drilling supporters and opponents. So far, before the Republican Primary, there are two candidates vying to fill the longstanding shoes of retiring Town of Afton Supervisor Robert D. Briggs, and four candidates for two open seats on the town council.
At caucus earlier this month, Democrats nominated April M. Leggett for supervisor. Leggett also returned an independent petition for supervisor under “Vision for Afton.” Republican candidate John H. Lawrence had already filed a designating petition for the top job, and received Briggs’ endorsement.
For council, Democrats nominated Alan M. Steinberg and Abram S. Loeb and Republicans named incumbents Jamie L. Baciuska and Calvin Tallmadge.
