Sidonio is the winner for Murray town supervisor

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2019 at 10:25 am

Joe Sidonio

ALBION – Joe Sidonio is the winner of the Republican primary for Murray town supervisor. Sidonio had a 1-vote lead over Bob Miller, the incumbent, after Tuesday’s vote tally.

After the absentees ballots were counted this morning, Sidonio’s lead grew to 14. He had 24 absentee votes to 11 for Miller.

After the votes were counted this morning, Miller shook Sidonio’s hand and congratulated him.

Twice before in the Republican primary in September 2017 and then the general election in November 2017, Sidonio had small leads over Miller. But when the absentees were counted, Miller passed Sidonio.

This time around Sidonio said he was more aware to encourage people to use absentees if they weren’t around on primary day.

“I’ve learned how government works,” Sidonio said after the votes were counted this morning at The Villages of Orleans, the former county nursing home where the Board of Elections has its office.

Sidonio said the recent close elections showed him many in the public wanted change in the town government. But it was a challenge. He wasn’t the endorsed Republican candidate.

“I am going to take a deep breath here,” he said. “I want to thank my wife and daughter. I’ve had their support and encouragement the entire time. I want to thank God for being able to have this opportunity.”

Sidonio also is the likely winner of the Independence primary for town supervisor. Miller had 5 votes and Sidonio had 6 write-in votes. There is a chance more absentees could come in. Tuesday is the count-off date. The final results will be certified later this week, the Board of Elections said.

Sidonio won a seat on the Murray Town Republican Committee in a September 2016 primary. But he was unable to get a seat on the Town Board, not only losing to Miller but last November to Neil Valentine for town councilman.

“I represent change,” Sidonio said this morning. “I’m the first to take on the establishment, the Murray Republican Committee, and win. It takes courage, effort and time to bring change to the entrenched establishment. My change will be inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness.”

He was upset when the Town Board didn’t reappoint him as the town representative on the Orleans County Planning Board about two years ago after he served in that position for 12 years.

He wants to hear from everyone who has ideas and a willingness to make Murray a better community.

“I look forward to working with the board and the town,” he said. “It’s time for the community to come together and work together.”

Miller’s term as town supervisor continues until Dec. 31.

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