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Venditto team wins big in Town of Oyster Bay After the polls closed on Nov. 6 and the votes were counted, there were few surprises in the local elections that drew a only a small percentage of voters. The only exception is in the 14th Legislative District race in Nassau that has incumbent Democrat Dave Mejias and his Republican opponent hair's breadth apart. The Board of Elections reported on Monday that no final determination on who actually won that seat has been made and that it may take up to two weeks to decide. At press time, Mejias was edging out Belesi 6,182 or 51 percent of the vote to Belesi's 5,990 or 49 percent. There are approximately 275 absentee ballots to be counted and a review of the voting machines is underway, said Board of Election officials. Meanwhile, both candidates were optimistic. "I am very proud and happy with my campaign," said Belesi, a retired police officer. "At the end of the day, our lead will expand and will be the winner," said Mejias confidently. The district covers East Massapequa, Farmingdale, Old Bethpage and some of Wantagh. The seat was targeted by the Republican Party, which put a lot of money and manpower into unseating Mejias and taking back the majority in the legislature. Mejias has won two elections, but his margins of victory have been slim and have gotten slimmer. He initially won his seat in 2003 by approximately 400 votes over incumbent Republican Gregory Carman. In 2005 he held onto his seat by 285 votes over Republican candidate Tom Sabellico. Should the initial numbers hold, Mejias would win by less than 200 votes. Mejias said that is the result of Republicans going after him full force. "The Republicans have spent more than a million and a half dollars, lied and stolen my signs to beat me," he said. "I am stronger than I ever was." "Look, I had more signs stolen than he did, but I never blamed anyone," said Belesi. "As a police officer neither I nor anyone on my campaign would do something like that." N.C. Leg. Peter Schmitt, who won another twoyear term in the 11th District, and who is the legislature's minority leader, said he wasn't surprised by Mejias' charges. "He is a sore winner, if he wins, and he has no class," said Schmitt. "The fact is that he and the Democrats continue to push through increases for fees and we will keep fighting them," he said. Schmitt recaptured his seat, defeating his Democratic opponent John Rennhack with 8,783 votes or a 76 percent plurality. Rennhack garnered 2,712 votes or 24 percent. Also winning reelection was N.C. lawmaker Ed Mangano who defeated Nicholas Guariglia, 7,352 to 2,403. In the Town of Oyster Bay Republicans stomped the hopes of their Democratic opponents, winning reelection easily. If there was any measure of concern, it was with the number of people who voted. "It's a shame more people didn't come out and vote," said Democrat Jay Cherlin, a Town Board candidate. "People don't seem to understand that the more local the election, the more it has to do with your daily life." Cherlin said that despite his loss this year, he plans to run again. Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto won 68 percent or 32,166 votes while his opponent, first-time candidate, Democrat Joe Terrino received 32 percent or 15,083 votes. Town Board and Venditto team members Joseph Muscarella will remain in office with 22 percent or 29,435 votes. Incumbent Rose Marie Walker received 21 percent or 28,087 votes and Anthony Macagnone garnered 21 percent or 28,333 votes. Their Democratic opponents Keith Scalia received 13 percent or 17,464 votes; Jay Cherlin received 12 percent or 16,213 votes and Carol Gordon received 12 percent or 6,580 votes. Incumbent Clerk Steve Labriola, a Republican, received 66 percent of the vote defeating Democrat Matthew Meng who had 34 percent, 30,026 to 15,692 votes. James Stefanich, the Receiver of Taxes, will remain in office. He garnered 60 percent or 27,640, while his opponent, Marie McCormack won 40 percent or 18,332 votes. "Although we lost, I wouldn't have run the campaign any differently," said Alex Sklavos, Town of Oyster Bay Democratic Leader. "My candidates worked harder than any Republican candidate has ever worked. It all came down to the fact that the Democratic party doesn't have as much money as the Republicans." "The people who were elected are the ones who have been listening to the people and acting on what they want," said Massapequa civic leader Gary Slavin, who campaigned for passage of the SeaFUND bond that will bring millions of dollars to Massapequa for improvements to parks and other facilities. "Venditto listens to what everyone says, and I think many people crossed party lines to vote for him. That's evident by the high number who voted 'yes' on his environmental bond." That bond will allow the Town to spend $30 million to preserve open space and make improvements. It passed by a majority of 72 percent or 22,318 votes. Note: At Press time, reports indicated that Mejias has, in fact, won reelection to his seat. The Nassau County Board of Elections had not certified those results, however.
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