Tensions ran high last night at Geddes Town Hall, where voting for two of the three Solvay wards was held and the results of the village elections were eventually announced. Just before 9 p.m., John McPeak, 2nd Ward trustee running for re-election against William DeSpirito, said he was nervous waiting for the polls to close. “I hate this part,” McPeak said. “I lost one, and I won one [election], and I felt the same way both times.” Just a few minutes later, the look of worry was replaced with relief as votes were tallied – McPeak kept the 2nd Ward. Mayoral candidate Kathy Marinelli’s expression was slower to change, as the numbers from each ward came in slowly, but by 9:15 it was all smiles for the Marinelli for Mayor team – the Republican beat Democratic candidate Daniel Bellotti 819-540. Marinelli is the first woman to hold the Solvay mayoral post in village history. Her opponent Bellotti was not present to accept his defeat, verifying recent village rumors that he was vacationing. Another change this year – residents did not vote down the Republican line in the only village in Onondaga County to run on major party lines. Here are the results:
Village of Solvay
Mayor
Kathy Marinelli (R) defeated Daniel Bellotti (D)
Trustees
1st Ward
Ronald Benedetti (D), defeated incumbent Patrick O’Neill (R)
2nd Ward
John McPeak (R, incumbent), defeated William DeSpirito (D)
3rd Ward
Jamie Colucci (D, incumbent), defeated David Pettitt (R)