McGrouty rolls in council primary
WATERVLIET, N. Y. » City Democrats voted Tuesday night to have Frank McGrouty represent them in the race to fill a vacant seat on the Watervliet City Council.
With 408 votes, McGrouty easily outpolled Peggy Germano ( 290 votes) and Jeff Foster ( 251) on Tuesday night to face Republican Andrew Williams in the Nov. 7 general election for a a four- year council term.
McGrouty has been a city resident for 64 years and said he has lived in pretty much every area of the city. McGrouty retired after 27 years as city firefighter and also served on the city’s school board for 12 years. McGrouty
is also active in several youth programs, including Watervliet Little League, and is the owner of a small business.
McGrouty did not return repeated calls Tuesday night and Wednesday, but he did post a brief statement late Tuesday on his campaign’s Facebook page, saying he was honored to have been elected to represent city Democrats.
“I cannot thank everyone enough for coming out to the polls to vote for me tonight,” McGrouty wrote. “I am honored and humbled by your outpouring of support. I will continue to go out in the community and talk with residents to hear concerns about the city. Thank you again to everyone who helped me along the way. I’m honored to be your Democratic nominee.”
The council has been one member short since Democrat Nicholas Foglia resigned for personal reasons earlier this year. Since then, the council has been made up of Mayor Michael Manning and Councilman Charles Patricelli, a pair of Democrats.
Both losing candidates said Tuesday they were content with voter turnout, as well as the overall tone of the campaign.
“I’m OK with it,” said Germano. “I respect the voter’s choice, and I wish the best to Frank. He won fair and square, and that’s the way it is.”
“I had a blast campaigning for this,” said Foster. “I wouldn’t have changed anything, I have no regrets with anything I did, and I would still do it all over again.”