A new look for Troy City Council
TROY, N.Y. » The Troy City Council will have a new look next year. However, from a political party standpoint, the makeup more or less remains virtually the same. Much of that will depend on a District 6 race still hanging in the balance. Democrats Anasha Cummings, Ken Zalewski, and Eileen McDermott did not run for re-election this year.
Troy City Council President Carmella Mantello, a Republican, who was re-elected in 2019, remains, as the council president seat serves a four-year term.
Three incumbents also return following their re-elections.
In District 1, incumbent Republican Jim Gulli defeated Democrat Colin Charlestin, 62.79% to 37.21%.
Gulli thanked his supporters with the following statement via his Facebook page.
“I’m humbly proud to serve the Burghers for my 7th and 8th year as your council representative. It seems like it was just yesterday that you chose me to represent our neighborhoods for the first time. I want to thank everyone who voted yesterday… especially the ones who cast their votes to allow me to continue raising the bar in Lansingburgh. Barb and I love Lansingburgh as our neighborhood and love Troy as our city. This is our home! The best is yet to come,” Gulli stated.
In District 2, incumbent Republican Kim AsheMcPherson defeated Democrat Steven Figueroa, 56.47% to 43.40%.
Speaking at the Rensselaer County Republican campaign headquarters party Tuesday night at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom in Troy, AsheMcPherson also delivered her thanks to supporters in her district.
“I am so excited to be re-elected to this position because it’s about the people and representing the people and I love District 2! District 2 is awesome and I’m so excited to come back and represent them for another two years, so, thank you and let’s go forward!” Ashe-McPherson exclaimed on her re-election.
In District 3, incumbent Democrat Sue Steele defeated Republican Beth A. Wright-Clemente, 61.55% to 38.45%.
Steele additionally thanked supporters and commented on the new makeup of the council headed into next year.
“I’m very thankful to D3 voters for their support and confidence. I look forward to continuing to help residents and be an effective advocate for them. With several new faces on the incoming City Council, it will make for an interesting term. As I’m known to say, “Onward!” Steele stated.
In District 4, Democrat Emily A. Menn de
feated Republican Anthony R. Papineau, 76.80% to 22.12%.
Menn also thanked supporters and outlined some of the challenges she hopes to address on the council in January.
“Violent crime and harassment are surging in downtown Troy to the point of undoing the progress we’ve made in the last two decades. The areas around Barker Park and Congress Street are scary,” Menn stated.
“My home a few blocks away was broken into and robbed this Sunday and the tools I use to maintain my buildings were stolen. I understand the fear and anger my constituents are expressing as they try to live normal, peaceful lives at work and in their downtown homes,” Menn continued.
“My first priority is to work with District 4 residents, civic leaders, religious organizations and business owners to address these problems with simple solutions, such as enforcing existing nuisance law, installing bright lighting, and removing trash and graffiti,” Menn explained.
“I oppose the pay-as-youthrow garbage fee, which increases illegal dumping while punishing responsible Trojans. I want to expand our tax base by encouraging development of under-activated buildings and vacant lots. At the same time, I plan to closely monitor large-scale developers seeking tax breaks,” Menn noted.
“Now that Troy is financially stable, I will prioritize fully staffing and equipping our city departments of Streets, Code Enforcement, Sanitation, Fire, Public Works and Public Utilities so that we fix and maintain our urban fabric,” Menn added.
In District 5, Democrat Kiani Conley-Wilson defeated Republican Aaron Lozier, 55.78% to 38.30%.
Like Gulli, Conley-Wilson also thanked supporters via her campaign page on Facebook.
“We won!! Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign and me for nearly this entire year! Big things coming to Troy in January,” Conley-Wilson stated.
In District 6, Democrat Cheryl L. Kennedy defeated Republican Irene D. Sorriento, 44.84% to 43.47%.
Kennedy thanked her supporters and appeared to be confident in what was a close race with absentee ballots still outstanding.
“Election Day results are in! We are in the lead, but absentee ballots still need to be counted. We look forward to working through the Democratic process as we have done my entire campaign. Thank you to everyone who cast their vote, whether it was during early voting or on Election Day. I am humbled by your continued support. Stay positive, and stay tuned!”
Sorriento also thanked her supporters and likewise seemed hopeful the absentee ballots would come for her when the absentee ballots are fully tallied.
“I want to thank everyone who supported my recent campaign for Troy City Council in District 6. Each and every word of encouragement and every moment of assistance meant far more to me than you may realize!” Sorriento exclaimed.
“I want to thank the voters who expressed their confidence by voting for me. Their trust in me motivates me to continue improving myself and to work at being the very best that I can be,” Sorriento continued.
“This is a real close race and I am optimistic on the outcome of the final results after the absentee ballots are counted. Win or lose, we worked our hardest and did the best we could,” Sorriento noted on the campaign and results.
“Regardless of the outcome, the residents are and should always be number one priority,” Sorriento added.
Editor’s note: All results were provided by the Rensselaer County Board of Elections website. The results are considered “unofficial” results. Absentee ballots will be counted in the coming weeks.