Oneida County Legislature, Utica First Ward race results are in

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Decision 2009 Local Results

Story Created: Nov 10, 2009 at 4:29 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM EST

ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. (WKTV) - As re-canvassing for Oneida County's 2009 election continues, the results of several races, including Utica Common Council and Oneida County Legislature, are in.

According to officials at the Board of Elections, Stephen Roefaro (Independence, Republican) has beat out opponent Joseph Bouse (Democrat, Working Families) for the 19th Legislative District 700 to 678.

In the 22nd Legislative District race, Howard Welch (Independence, Republican, Conservative), won with 317 votes, defeating opponents Bruce Brodsky (Democrat) who had 295 votes, and Shannon Scott (Working Families) who brought in 63 votes.

William Hendricks (Republican) beat out Larry Tanoury (Conservative, Democrat, Independence) for the 25th Legislative District with a lead of 318 to Tanoury's 297.

Hendricks was the subject of a scandalous letter that alleged improprieties by Legislative Chairman Gerald Fiorini, and alleged a blackmail attempt by Hendricks' opponent, Tanoury.

The letter was hand-delivered to the Legislature Clerk, and various media outlets, including WKTV, by former attorney Robert Barry.

Hendricks would not admit he wrote the letter, only that he allowed his name to be signed to it. When asked if Barry had written the letter, Hendricks would not answer the question, and Barry denied he distributed the letter, despite witnesses who claim Barry dropped it off personally to the various outlets.

Hendricks said he did believe there could be ramifications to his political future after approving the distribution of the letter, and said it was not out of the realm of possibility that he would possibly step down, despite seemingly winning the seat.

Peter Caruso (Democrat) took the 25 Legislative District with 605 votes, beating out William Meola (Republican, Independence) who had 506, and Joseph Falcone (Working Families) who had 270 votes.

The results keep the Republican Party in control of the Oneida County Legislature 18-11. The Republican Party picked up three seats in this year's election.

In the race for Utica Common Council First Ward, Democrat Frank Vescera is the winner, according to the Board of Elections, beating out opponent Ed Hill. However, Elections officials said they did not have exact numbers for this race Tuesday afternoon, but that they knew Vescera was the winner.

The First Ward was the source of much scrutiny after an The claim to appeals court was filed by Frank Vescera.

Vescera was also the topic of election night discussion, when police alleged that he and opponent Ed Hill had gotten into an argument at Kennedy Plaza Apartments - a polling location. Police said witnesses told them the argument escalated and Hill ended up punching one of Vescera's poll watchers. Hill said the allegations are not true, and Vescera claimed that the argument involved only Hill and the poll watcher, that he was not physically involved.

Re-canvassing for other races throughout the county continue, and Board of elections officials said all absentees and military ballots can still come in until next week.

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