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While incumbents will likely lock-down five positions in the upcoming Cohocton town elections, three candidates apiece are scrambling for a justice seat and two councilmen positions.
David Domm, Michaela Cosgrove and Marvin Rethmel are all running for an open four-year term as town justice after Hal Graham decided not to run for re-election. Domm is currently one of the town’s assessors, and would have to resign his position if elected as justice.
Cosgrove is running as a Democrat, while Domm defeated Rethmel in the Republican primary. Rethmel in turn defeated Domm in the Independence Party primary, and therefore will run on that party line. Domm is also running as the Conservative Party’s representative.
“I wanted to be a justice for years, but they had good people, and going after an incumbent is kind of a political suicide unless they’ve done something wrong,” said Domm, who is the sewer plant superintendent for the Village of Wayland.
A professor at Keuka College in Penn Yan, a former dean of students at the college and a trained mediator, Cosgrove said her background would serve the Cohocton community well.
“I was a dean of students, and in that role I was the chief person in the campus judicial system,” she said. “That and mediation are different parts of the justice system, and I know I would need some different training, but I have qualifications for resolving problems at the local level.”
Rethmel is a veteran code enforcement officer for Steuben County and the Town of Campbell. Almost 12 years as a codes officer has provided him with experience in the justice system, he said.
“After spending some time on the prosecuting side, I thought the justice position looked interesting,” he said. “The way I work in my current positions and how I handle them, I think that would give me a good advantage and experience.”
Two councilmen seats are open this election, with Wayne Hunt deciding against running for another term. Incumbent Milton LeVesque, who’s served as a councilman for nine years, is running for re-election as a Republican.
“I have some unfinished business. We’re doing a pretty good job, but I’d like to see the playground (next to the Atlanta-North Cohocton fire hall) finished and improve the beautification in the town,” said LeVesque.
Democrat Margaret Adams and Republican David Simolo are also challenging for the open councilmen positions.
While incumbents will likely lock-down five positions in the upcoming Cohocton town elections, three candidates apiece are scrambling for a justice seat and two councilmen positions.
David Domm, Michaela Cosgrove and Marvin Rethmel are all running for an open four-year term as town justice after Hal Graham decided not to run for re-election. Domm is currently one of the town’s assessors, and would have to resign his position if elected as justice.
Cosgrove is running as a Democrat, while Domm defeated Rethmel in the Republican primary. Rethmel in turn defeated Domm in the Independence Party primary, and therefore will run on that party line. Domm is also running as the Conservative Party’s representative.
“I wanted to be a justice for years, but they had good people, and going after an incumbent is kind of a political suicide unless they’ve done something wrong,” said Domm, who is the sewer plant superintendent for the Village of Wayland.
A professor at Keuka College in Penn Yan, a former dean of students at the college and a trained mediator, Cosgrove said her background would serve the Cohocton community well.
“I was a dean of students, and in that role I was the chief person in the campus judicial system,” she said. “That and mediation are different parts of the justice system, and I know I would need some different training, but I have qualifications for resolving problems at the local level.”
Rethmel is a veteran code enforcement officer for Steuben County and the Town of Campbell. Almost 12 years as a codes officer has provided him with experience in the justice system, he said.
“After spending some time on the prosecuting side, I thought the justice position looked interesting,” he said. “The way I work in my current positions and how I handle them, I think that would give me a good advantage and experience.”
Two councilmen seats are open this election, with Wayne Hunt deciding against running for another term. Incumbent Milton LeVesque, who’s served as a councilman for nine years, is running for re-election as a Republican.
“I have some unfinished business. We’re doing a pretty good job, but I’d like to see the playground (next to the Atlanta-North Cohocton fire hall) finished and improve the beautification in the town,” said LeVesque.
Democrat Margaret Adams and Republican David Simolo are also challenging for the open councilmen positions.
An active community member who was instrumental in bringing a food pantry to Cohocton, Adams said she’s trying to expand her service to the board.
“I felt there needed to be somebody within the town and village willing to represent the people,” she said. “I’m very involved in the community, with the food pantry, school, and my church. I want to continue my community service to being on the town council.”
Simolo has served as an assessor and building inspector for Canadice, and is a member on Cohocton’s historical society committee and the town building committee. He said he was asked to run after Hunt decided against running for another term.
“I’m at virtually every town meeting,most village meetings, and dozens of planning board meetings,” said Simolo. “I feel like I’ll just be sitting in a different spot. I’ve been around local government for decades. I feel like with my experience, I have something to offer.”
Other positions up for election include town clerk, supervisor, highway superintendent, and two assessor positions.
Sandra Riley is running unopposed for town clerk after serving at the position ten years. Supervisor Jack Zigenfus is also running unopposed for another term after a decade at the post.
Brian Kuhn is running for his second term as highway superintendent, and is running without opposition. Joanne Damboise and Mark Densmore, both incumbents, are running for two open part-time assessor seats.
