Community Corner
Apel Elected Mayor, Republicans Keep Their Majorities
GOP will hold a 7-5 council advantage and a 5-4 school board majority.
George Apel has captured Vernon's mayoral seat and the Republicans have maintained control of both the Town Council and Board of Education.
The 76-year-old Apel a Republican member of the Board of Education and the school board's chief negotiator, took the town's top political office on Tuesday with a total of 1,791 votes.
Apel garnered 251 votes more than Democratic Town Council member Pauline Schaefer, who received 1,540.
Petitioning candidates Gordon Paterson, a registered Republican, had 855 and James Krupienski, an unaffiliated council member, had 503.
A total of 4,446 residents went to the polls, a turnout of 29.09 percent.
The Republicans maintain the majority on the Town Council, but lost a seat for a 7-5 advantage. Brian Motola, the top overall vote-getter with 2,372, led the way, followed by Dan Sullivan, Judith Hany, John Kopec, Bill Campbell, Steven Peterson and Adam Weissberberger.
Michael Winkler, who had the second-highest total with 2,362, led the five Democrats. Also winning seats on the council were Marie Herbst, Thomassina Russell, Virginia Gingras and Thomas DiDio.
Republicans Laura Bush, the top vote-getter with 2,458 led the GOP Board of Education results. Also winning seats were David Kemp, and Dean Houle.
Michelle Arn, the second-highest vote-getter with 2,446, led the Democrats. Also winning school board seats were Amarjit Buttar and Terri Goldich.
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