11/13/07 - Absentee ballots confirm Dafoe win

Election victory gives Democrats control of county Legislature

Joe McIntyre/staff photographer
Republican James Miller is consoled by his wife, Debbie, after election results were announced this morning. He lost to incumbent Democrat Steven Dafoe 235-215 after absentee ballots were counted.

(As Published by Cortland Standard, Ida Pease reporting)

Democrat Steven Dafoe won re-election in Homer’s 11th Legislative District seat, picking up 25 absentee ballots to James Miller’s additional 12 ballots during a count this morning. The final tally was 235-215.

With Dafoe’s win the county Legislature will remain in Democratic control by a slim 10-9 margin. The Legislature currently has 11 Democrats and eight Republicans and the current terms end Dec. 31.

Dafoe, of 28 Clinton St., Homer, had been only seven votes ahead of Republican challenger James Miller, with 210 votes to Miller’s 203 votes after last Tuesday’s tally, which did not include absentee votes.

Two absentee ballots were thrown out, one before being opened and the other because of a stray mark on the ballot.

“I have nothing to say,” Dafoe told the Cortland Standard after his win.

Miller, 44, of Greenwich Street in Homer, said he was disappointed.

Miller said he would consider his options for the future. “I’ll see what happens in two years.”
Miller, a salesman for Bus Parts Warehouse in Manlius, ran as a candidate who would attend legislative sessions _and committee meetings. He pointed out that Dafoe has missed several legislative meetings and even more committee meetings.

Miller also said, in an interview before the election, that he would work to bring more businesses to Homer and push for the county to adopt a master plan for its space needs.

Dafoe, 49, runs a tree service. He did not return calls requesting an interview before the election.

Legislative Republicans won two seats in the city of Cortland with Ward 2 going to Tony Piombo, a Democrat who ran as a Republican, and Ward 5 going to Kathie Wilcox. Democrats Ric Van Donsel and Ron Van Dee lost in Wards 2 and 5, respectively.

The Democrats did win one seat that is held by a Republican. Challenger Democrat Kathie Arnold, of Truxton, won against incumbent Merwin Armstrong in Legislative District 16 (Cuyler, Solon and Truxton).