North Tonawanda, NY — 2005 brought about big changes in area politics. On the county level, residents went to the polls and voted out a number of the culprits of the Erie County budget crisis. On a local level, races were tight, and history was made.

The election results will welcome new faces and new challenges for 2006 and beyond.

One for the history books

Tonawanda’s Town Board election led to a majority swing more than 80 years in the making. Democrats Lisa Chimera, John Bargnesi and Joseph Emminger unseated Republicans Joseph Shiah, David Rider and Raymond Sinclair to create a Democratic town board with a 5-2 majority.

John Bargnesi told the Tonawanda News during a November interview, “It’s a great honor to serve the people of the Town. I’m going to work very hard for them.”

Bargnesi would like to see a reduction in government size, decreasing the board from seven members to five.

Incoming board member Lisa Chimera offered similar sentiments.

“As I walked door-to-door during this campaign, the voters expressed their frustration with all of the elected officials,” Chimera said. “One of their complaints is that leaders need to act like leaders. When local governments are looking where to cut costs, the Town Board needs to start with themselves by reducing the size of the Town Board from seven members to five. Decreasing the number of councilmen from six to four would save the residents of the town at least $50,000 annually ... Earlier this year, Councilmen Crangle and Flynn brought that proposal to the Town Board for action ... Now is the time for the commission to explore these issues.”

Joe Emminger believes better management of town finances needs to be stressed for the future.

“We need to save taxpayers money and provide outstanding services to the residents of the Town,” Emminger said. “The Town cannot continue to operate with a structural deficit year after year. ... In three years, from 2002 to 2004, we used approximately $10 million from our unreserved fund balance, our ‘piggy-bank’ for a rainy day ... to pay our bills. If we continue in this manner for the next three years ... we will have approximately $2 million in the bank on Jan. 1, 2008. This is unacceptable.”

Preparing for City Hall

Mayor-elect Ronald Pilozzi is the City of Tonawanda’s first Republican mayor since 1977. Pilozzi won over Democrat Gayle Syposs by about 500 votes.

When asked about the historical significance of his win, Pilozzi said, “History means nothing unless you’re able to establish programs to meet the needs of the people. From a historical standpoint, it’s nice, but from a political standpoint, it means nothing unless you meet the goals and objectives you’ve made.”

Pilozzi said he’s been at City Hall for the past six or seven weeks working with outgoing Mayor Jack Gallagher.

“I’m very thankful to Mayor Gallagher for his help with the transition,” he said. “I can’t say enough about his willingness to help make sure there was as smooth a transition as possible. He’s been very accommodating.”

Pilozzi’s goal for the immediate future is to get rid of Spaulding Fiber, which he referred to as an eyesore.

“It’s not only a safety hazard, but it will be a health hazard down the road,” he said. “It’s part of the history of this area and by having the building demolished and remediated, we’ll be able to turn it into useful properties once again.”

In North Tonawanda’s mayoral race, Mayor-elect Larry Soos took over the position from friend Mayor David Burgio. Soos, owner of Soos’ Cafe and former alderman on the city’s Common Council, beat out Republican Mike Carney for the top seat.

Like Pilozzi, Soos also has been seeking the current mayor’s help with the transition.

“I’ve been seeing Dave a couple of times a week,” he said. “It should be a smooth transition.”

Soos talked about his objectives for 2006.

“One of the biggest things I want to do is to stabilize the tax base,” he said. “People can’t keep going along with rising taxes. We’ll have to talk to unions and try to get concessions from them. For every give, there has to be a take.”

Soos also talked about future projects for North Tonawanda.

“I’m hoping to bring something to the Buffalo Steel site,” he said. “I know a couple of builders are already approaching the city.”

Soos also mentioned the possibility of expanding the waterfront with apartments.

Moving on

Kenmore Village Trustee Michelle Iannello is leaving the Village of Kenmore board effective Saturday, for a seat in the Erie County Legislature’s 10th District. Iannello submitted her resignation at the Dec. 20 Village of Kenmore board meeting.

“I hope whomever takes my place tries to take the residents interests at heart as I have,” Iannello said. Iannello’s replacement has not yet been named.

Contact Katharine Kirchmeyer at 693-1000, Ext. 113.