GREECE, N.Y. — Voters in Greece flipped two seats on the town board, creating the first Democratic majority in the town’s history.
Last year, Greece elected its first Democratic town supervisor in more than a hundred years, marking the start of a trend that continued with this week’s results.
Ryan McDonald and Frank Femia, both Democrats, were voted onto the board and will join reelected Democratic member Amorette Miller. The fourth board member, Ricki Antelli Jr., is the only Republican remaining.
“It’s not surprising, especially what we’re seeing nationally and so it’s definitely a reflection for sure,” Miller said.
Miller’s election last year also marked a historic win, as she became the first Black woman elected to the board in addition to the first Democrat to lead her ward. She says she’s noticed a shift in the Greece electorate, which she partly attributes to the political ongoings at the federal level that trickle down into the actions of voters locally.
However, she notes that personality politics play a more important role for local candidates, as voters get to know them on a more personal level.
Miller said the board has worked well together in the past and expects that to continue.
“This year we’ve worked very well together, it’s been a mixed board, but I think when you go into this wanting to work with whomever comes in, we’re going to have the same impact and the same camaraderie because this is what Greece is now. We want to work with each other,” Miller said.
Antelli agreed, issuing the following statement in response:
“While the makeup of the Town Board has changed, my commitment to the residents of Greece has not. I was elected to deliver results for the people of this town, and that remains my focus. Every member of the board shares that responsibility, and I intend to do my part to make sure we meet it.
The work ahead is clear: transparent government, safer neighborhoods, stronger infrastructure, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and smart decisions that protect the quality of life people expect in Greece. These are the priorities of the families who live here and that I believe both parties agree on. I look forward to working with my fellow council members to deliver real progress for the residents we all serve.
Greece is our home and we are here to serve the people of Greece. That is the approach I will bring every day. When the focus stays on the residents, progress follows.”
News10NBC’s Erin Mahon spoke with voters at town hall. Some said they felt disappointed about the lack of Republican representation, while others were excited to see the Democratic trend continue.
“We definitely wanted to flip it to Democrat. Already he’s made so many great changes — like my husband who usually just complains at home. He can’t wait to go to the meetings now. So I think there’s a lot of enthusiasm, at least in my household,” Kathy Battaglia said.
Anthony Plonczynski-Figueroa, leader of the Greece Democratic Committee, said the change has been years in the making.
“This is a town that Democrats have been trying to flip for decades, literally. And so for us it was trying to build off the momentum,” Plonczynski-Figueroa said.
“The national stuff played into it, but really you learned about neighborhood issues and so these individuals spoke to those neighborhoods. They spoke to the individuals — what they were looking for in terms of what they want to see in their town government,” he continued referring to the campaign efforts exerted by both Femia and McDonald.
The newly elected board members will officially assume office after the new year.
To see Election results and for all of our Election coverage, click here.
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