CHEEK DEMS! -News releases
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NEWS ARCHIVES
Nov/Dec 2006
Nov/Dec 2006
MARKEL TAKES THE LEAD AS INTIAL RECANVASS IS COMPLETE
September 20... The Erie County Board of Elections is now reporting that undendorsed challenger Charles markel
has taken a slim lead over Stanley Kaznowski for the third and final spot for the Democratic nomination for
Council Member. With all district in, Markel has tallied 2715 votes, with Kaznowski at 2646 votes, a 69 vote
margin. Still to be completed is an official recanvass and the counting of paper absentee ballots. We will report
further news as it becomes available.
COUNCIL PRIMARY HEADING FOR EXTRA INNINGS
September 19... Ten votes. That's what separates endorsed candidate Stanley Kaznowski and unendorsed
candidate Charles Markel as the first unofficial canvas of the town's 111 voting districts took place this
afternoon.
With all 111 districts and 54 polling places now reporting, Kaznowski clings to his tenuous hold on third place,
with 2645 votes. In a spirited challenge, Markel is right behind at 2635 votes. Incumbents Jeff Swiatek and Rick
Zydel placed first and second in the race with comfortable margins. The top three finishers will receive the
Democratic nomination.
It was a night of high drama at Democratic headquarters last night, as over 125 committeemen and volunteers
assembled to bring in tally sheets and watch the returns. Early on the Town Clerk's was neck and neck, but as
more districts came in endorsed candidate Alice Magierski pulled away over challenger Diane Benczkowski,
winning the nomination with a 500 vote cushion and a 55% to 45% margin.
But while Magierski's margin was widening, Kaznowski's slim lead was shrinking, and by the end of the evening,
the Board of Elections web site reported Kaznowski with a 27 vote lead with two districts left to tally. There would
be no more results on this night and the party disbursed by 11PM.
This afternoon, the two missing districts, both in the north end, were added to the tally, shrinking Kaznowski's
lead to a razor thin 10 votes. Over 5200 Democrats cast ballots in the Town of Cheektowaga.
So what happens now? The Board of Elections will do an official recanvass of the voting machines at a date to be
determined, but with such a slim margin Cheektowaga is at the top of the priority list. Also remaining to be
counted are approximately 60 absentee ballots which were submitted on paper. Typically a recanvass does not
alter the count, although at times human error has led to an incorrect figure here or there. Once the recount is
complete, the 60 ballots will be tabulated and added to the totals, and a winner will be declared.
High political drama in Cheektowaga. And if there is a lesson to be learned here, it is that ONE VOTE does make a
difference.
We will post updates right here as we have them.
FINALLY! PRIMARY DAY IS UPON US
September 17... One of the latest dates ever to hold a primary election is finally upon us as voters will go the polls
on Tuesday to select their candidates in various county and town races. Here in Cheektowaga, four members of
the endorsed Democratic team will face opponents in the Democratic and Independence primaries. For Town
Clerk remember ALICE MAGIERSKI, and for Town Council, vote for JEFF SWIATEK, RICK ZYDEL and STAN
KAZNOWSKI.
Headquarters at 240 Dick Road (just north of Walden) will be open from 8AM and throughout the day, and
committeemen and other supporters are encouraged to drop by and assist with phone calls or handing out
literature at the polls. HQ coordinator Joe Farugia will be heading up the effort.
Then at 9PM all committeemen are encouraged to go to your polling station and collect the numbers and bring
your results over to the headquarters and join with your fellow Democrats as we bring in a big victory. We will
have a district by district tote board and will be tallying results. Refreshments will be served. ALL ARE WELCOME!
ps - Alice, Jeff, Rick and Stan want to thank the many many people who have worked so hard this summer on the
campaign.
103 DISTRICTS COVERED IN TOWN WIDE BLITZ
September 9... This past weekend many committeemen, Democratic loyalists and other volunteers descended on
cheekdems headquarters on Dick Road to execute a townwide literature blitz. Endorsed Candiodates Committee
Chairman Pat Staniaszek reports that 103 of the 111 election districts were canvassed. "We had a turnout of
almost 100 people, and that is pretty amazing" Staniaszek said.
In addition to fliers for the town endorsed team, the cheekdems were coordinating lit drops for County Clerk
candidate Kathy Hochul, County Judge candidate Tim Franczyk, and in the south part of town in the 9th legislative
district, legislature candidate Tim Wroblewski.
Committeemen are asked to come again this Saturday to cheekdems headquarters to participate in last minute
campaign activities.
CHEEKTOWAGA DEMOCRATS FILE DESIGNATING PETITIONS
July 22... The Democratic Endorsed Candidates Committee is pleased to report that 2832 petition signatures have
been filed for the Town's Democratic slate, well in excess of the 500 needed to qualify for the November ballot.
The designating petitions were submitted to the Board of Elections this past Thursday by Town Clerk Mary Holtz,
who is heading the 2007 ticket as candidate for Town Supervisor.
"This blows away any of our initial projections and is far beyond the usual benchmark of 2200-2500 signatures
which previous endorsed committees have managed to obtain in the past." said Patricia Staniaszek, Chairman of
the committee.
Staniaszek thanked the Democratic committeemen and the non-committee volunteers who gave of their time to
canvas the streets. "We have a solid grassroots effort, and our candidates also lent a lot to this effort. We are
going into the election season strong and united." Staniaszek said.
In addition to the Democratic petitions, the committee also coordinated the solicitation of signatures for the
Independence Party, and filed a total of 133 signatures to qualify for that line. The slate has also received the
backing of the Cheektowaga Conservative Town Committee. Members of the Conservative Party solicited petition
signatures and filed 190 signatures to qualify.
In addition to Holtz' candidacy for Supervisor, the rest of the slate includes Stan Kaznowski, Jeff Swiatek and Rick
Zydel for Council, Alice Magierski for Town Clerk, Mark Wegner for Highway Superintendent and Tom Kolbert for
Town Justice.
ANOTHER LINEUP CHANGE ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
July 12... The Cheektowaga Democratic Town Committee has made another change to its executive board. The
action took place at this past week's meeting of the committee.
Treasurer Marianne Whiting has resigned due to health reasons. Secretary John Marriott moves to the
Treasurer's position. Replacing Marriott as Secretary is Jackie Schmid. Schmid works as legislative aide in the
Buffalo office of Congressman Brian Higgins.
The appointments were recommended by the executive board and ratified by the membership in attendance.
STANIASZEK, MARRIOTT TO HEAD ENDORSED CANDIDATES COMMITTEE
July 5... Patricia Staniaszek and John Marriott have been named Chairman and Treasurer, respectively, of the
Endorsed Candidates Committee for the Town's endorsed slate.
Staniaszek serves as a Deputy Committeeman and Marriott is Secretary of the Cheektowaga Democratic Town
Committee. Both individuals bring a long term of service to the party and a great deal of experience in executing
town campaigns. "We have two good individuals steering the ship" said Chairman Frank Max, "And we will be
adding other key people as field coordinators to help our seven member slate on to victory this summer and fall."
Individuals interested in participating in this committee can email the website or contact Frank Max at 656-8966
or Pat Staniaszek at 896-1440 and we'll gove you an assignment!
DEMOCRATIC FUND RAISER DEEMED "A HUGE SUCCESS"
July 1... Why were officials from the Cheektowaga Democratic Town Committee beaming this past week? Over
340 people came through the door at Creekside Grove to show their support for the 2007 Cheektowaga endorsed
slate, and that means a good start to the treasury as the organization gears up for this November's election, as
well as for a possible primary challenge for select offices.
Supervisor candidate Mary Holtz made brief remarks to those in attendance, thanking the organization for its
endorsement and promising a spirited and robust campaign this year.
A good number of elected officials as well as office seekers were also in attendance. Assemblyman Dennis
Gabryszak was spotted in the crowd, fresh off of the closing of his first legislative session in Albany. West
Seneca Supervisor and Erie County Executive candidate Paul Clark headlined the notables working the crowd and
campaigning. Both candidates for Erie County Court Judge, Molly Gondek Musarra and Tim Franczyk, also
dropped by.
Legislative candidate Tim Wroblewski made an earlier appearance although he had to leave to attend to his son's
baseball game. Wroblewski is making a strong challenge to reclaim his seat in EC-9, which includes the Southline
corridor in Cheektowaga, and has won Demcoratic backing in his quest.
The attention now shifts to collecting and assembling designating petitions which are currently being circulated.
The filing deadline is July 16.
NEWS ARCHIVES:
May-June 2007
March- April 2007
January-February 2007
November-December 2006
September 20... The Erie County Board of Elections is now reporting that undendorsed challenger Charles markel
has taken a slim lead over Stanley Kaznowski for the third and final spot for the Democratic nomination for
Council Member. With all district in, Markel has tallied 2715 votes, with Kaznowski at 2646 votes, a 69 vote
margin. Still to be completed is an official recanvass and the counting of paper absentee ballots. We will report
further news as it becomes available.
COUNCIL PRIMARY HEADING FOR EXTRA INNINGS
September 19... Ten votes. That's what separates endorsed candidate Stanley Kaznowski and unendorsed
candidate Charles Markel as the first unofficial canvas of the town's 111 voting districts took place this
afternoon.
With all 111 districts and 54 polling places now reporting, Kaznowski clings to his tenuous hold on third place,
with 2645 votes. In a spirited challenge, Markel is right behind at 2635 votes. Incumbents Jeff Swiatek and Rick
Zydel placed first and second in the race with comfortable margins. The top three finishers will receive the
Democratic nomination.
It was a night of high drama at Democratic headquarters last night, as over 125 committeemen and volunteers
assembled to bring in tally sheets and watch the returns. Early on the Town Clerk's was neck and neck, but as
more districts came in endorsed candidate Alice Magierski pulled away over challenger Diane Benczkowski,
winning the nomination with a 500 vote cushion and a 55% to 45% margin.
But while Magierski's margin was widening, Kaznowski's slim lead was shrinking, and by the end of the evening,
the Board of Elections web site reported Kaznowski with a 27 vote lead with two districts left to tally. There would
be no more results on this night and the party disbursed by 11PM.
This afternoon, the two missing districts, both in the north end, were added to the tally, shrinking Kaznowski's
lead to a razor thin 10 votes. Over 5200 Democrats cast ballots in the Town of Cheektowaga.
So what happens now? The Board of Elections will do an official recanvass of the voting machines at a date to be
determined, but with such a slim margin Cheektowaga is at the top of the priority list. Also remaining to be
counted are approximately 60 absentee ballots which were submitted on paper. Typically a recanvass does not
alter the count, although at times human error has led to an incorrect figure here or there. Once the recount is
complete, the 60 ballots will be tabulated and added to the totals, and a winner will be declared.
High political drama in Cheektowaga. And if there is a lesson to be learned here, it is that ONE VOTE does make a
difference.
We will post updates right here as we have them.
FINALLY! PRIMARY DAY IS UPON US
September 17... One of the latest dates ever to hold a primary election is finally upon us as voters will go the polls
on Tuesday to select their candidates in various county and town races. Here in Cheektowaga, four members of
the endorsed Democratic team will face opponents in the Democratic and Independence primaries. For Town
Clerk remember ALICE MAGIERSKI, and for Town Council, vote for JEFF SWIATEK, RICK ZYDEL and STAN
KAZNOWSKI.
Headquarters at 240 Dick Road (just north of Walden) will be open from 8AM and throughout the day, and
committeemen and other supporters are encouraged to drop by and assist with phone calls or handing out
literature at the polls. HQ coordinator Joe Farugia will be heading up the effort.
Then at 9PM all committeemen are encouraged to go to your polling station and collect the numbers and bring
your results over to the headquarters and join with your fellow Democrats as we bring in a big victory. We will
have a district by district tote board and will be tallying results. Refreshments will be served. ALL ARE WELCOME!
ps - Alice, Jeff, Rick and Stan want to thank the many many people who have worked so hard this summer on the
campaign.
103 DISTRICTS COVERED IN TOWN WIDE BLITZ
September 9... This past weekend many committeemen, Democratic loyalists and other volunteers descended on
cheekdems headquarters on Dick Road to execute a townwide literature blitz. Endorsed Candiodates Committee
Chairman Pat Staniaszek reports that 103 of the 111 election districts were canvassed. "We had a turnout of
almost 100 people, and that is pretty amazing" Staniaszek said.
In addition to fliers for the town endorsed team, the cheekdems were coordinating lit drops for County Clerk
candidate Kathy Hochul, County Judge candidate Tim Franczyk, and in the south part of town in the 9th legislative
district, legislature candidate Tim Wroblewski.
Committeemen are asked to come again this Saturday to cheekdems headquarters to participate in last minute
campaign activities.
CHEEKTOWAGA DEMOCRATS FILE DESIGNATING PETITIONS
July 22... The Democratic Endorsed Candidates Committee is pleased to report that 2832 petition signatures have
been filed for the Town's Democratic slate, well in excess of the 500 needed to qualify for the November ballot.
The designating petitions were submitted to the Board of Elections this past Thursday by Town Clerk Mary Holtz,
who is heading the 2007 ticket as candidate for Town Supervisor.
"This blows away any of our initial projections and is far beyond the usual benchmark of 2200-2500 signatures
which previous endorsed committees have managed to obtain in the past." said Patricia Staniaszek, Chairman of
the committee.
Staniaszek thanked the Democratic committeemen and the non-committee volunteers who gave of their time to
canvas the streets. "We have a solid grassroots effort, and our candidates also lent a lot to this effort. We are
going into the election season strong and united." Staniaszek said.
In addition to the Democratic petitions, the committee also coordinated the solicitation of signatures for the
Independence Party, and filed a total of 133 signatures to qualify for that line. The slate has also received the
backing of the Cheektowaga Conservative Town Committee. Members of the Conservative Party solicited petition
signatures and filed 190 signatures to qualify.
In addition to Holtz' candidacy for Supervisor, the rest of the slate includes Stan Kaznowski, Jeff Swiatek and Rick
Zydel for Council, Alice Magierski for Town Clerk, Mark Wegner for Highway Superintendent and Tom Kolbert for
Town Justice.
ANOTHER LINEUP CHANGE ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
July 12... The Cheektowaga Democratic Town Committee has made another change to its executive board. The
action took place at this past week's meeting of the committee.
Treasurer Marianne Whiting has resigned due to health reasons. Secretary John Marriott moves to the
Treasurer's position. Replacing Marriott as Secretary is Jackie Schmid. Schmid works as legislative aide in the
Buffalo office of Congressman Brian Higgins.
The appointments were recommended by the executive board and ratified by the membership in attendance.
STANIASZEK, MARRIOTT TO HEAD ENDORSED CANDIDATES COMMITTEE
July 5... Patricia Staniaszek and John Marriott have been named Chairman and Treasurer, respectively, of the
Endorsed Candidates Committee for the Town's endorsed slate.
Staniaszek serves as a Deputy Committeeman and Marriott is Secretary of the Cheektowaga Democratic Town
Committee. Both individuals bring a long term of service to the party and a great deal of experience in executing
town campaigns. "We have two good individuals steering the ship" said Chairman Frank Max, "And we will be
adding other key people as field coordinators to help our seven member slate on to victory this summer and fall."
Individuals interested in participating in this committee can email the website or contact Frank Max at 656-8966
or Pat Staniaszek at 896-1440 and we'll gove you an assignment!
DEMOCRATIC FUND RAISER DEEMED "A HUGE SUCCESS"
July 1... Why were officials from the Cheektowaga Democratic Town Committee beaming this past week? Over
340 people came through the door at Creekside Grove to show their support for the 2007 Cheektowaga endorsed
slate, and that means a good start to the treasury as the organization gears up for this November's election, as
well as for a possible primary challenge for select offices.
Supervisor candidate Mary Holtz made brief remarks to those in attendance, thanking the organization for its
endorsement and promising a spirited and robust campaign this year.
A good number of elected officials as well as office seekers were also in attendance. Assemblyman Dennis
Gabryszak was spotted in the crowd, fresh off of the closing of his first legislative session in Albany. West
Seneca Supervisor and Erie County Executive candidate Paul Clark headlined the notables working the crowd and
campaigning. Both candidates for Erie County Court Judge, Molly Gondek Musarra and Tim Franczyk, also
dropped by.
Legislative candidate Tim Wroblewski made an earlier appearance although he had to leave to attend to his son's
baseball game. Wroblewski is making a strong challenge to reclaim his seat in EC-9, which includes the Southline
corridor in Cheektowaga, and has won Demcoratic backing in his quest.
The attention now shifts to collecting and assembling designating petitions which are currently being circulated.
The filing deadline is July 16.
NEWS ARCHIVES:
May-June 2007
March- April 2007
January-February 2007
November-December 2006