In Lyndonville, mayor will have to do write-in campaign

Belson admits he made mistake in filing petitions, thinking the deadline was today

John Belson

LYNDONVILLE – Tuesday was the deadline to file petitions to run in the March 19 village election which includes the mayor and two trustees.

At 5 p.m. on Tuesday, only two people turned in petitions signed by at least 25 village residents. Danny Woodward Jr., a current trustee, and Steve Colon will be on the ballot running for trustee.

The big surprise was no petitions were turned in for mayor. John Belson, the mayor since 2016, said he made a mistake and thought the deadline was today. Ann Marie Holland, a current trustee, also missed the deadline on Tuesday, thinking she had until today.

Both had petitions signed and intended to turn them in today. However, now they will have to run as write-in candidates to be re-elected.

Belson said this morning he will run as a write-in. He said the village has made big strides recently, with investments on Main Street, from a new Dollar General to Robert Smith’s transformation of three buildings in the downtown which are used for a hotel, the Webber Kitchen Collaborative and additional office space. Belson also said the village has upgraded its sewer system, and now should look to replace some of the 100-year-old water mains.

“We’ve done a lot with the village,” he said. “We’re on our way back.”

Belson is a Kodak retiree who has a part-time job delivering auto parts for Carquest in Medina. He previously was the Yates town supervisor.

Holland also confirmed she will be running as a write-in for trustee.