Wind drives local politics: Candidates increase in Steuben towns with proposed wind farms Republican primaries slated for Hartsville, Howard, Cohocton

Steuben County towns featuring the biggest wind battles are also the towns that boast the larger numbers of candidates running for elected office in the fall.

According to information from the Steuben County Board of Elections, the towns of Hartsville, Cohocton and Howard all feature Republican primaries with at least one wind farm opponent throwing their hat in the ring. Primary day is from noon to 9 p.m. Sept. 18, while the general election will be Nov. 6.

One of the most vocal of the wind opponents in the area - Hartsville's Steve Dombert - is on both the Republican and Democrat lines for a two-year supervisor term. Dombert will face incumbent Republican Gene Garrison and Republican challenger Ken Porter for the Republican bid for supervisor.

As for a four-year term as town council member, incumbent Democrat Mattie Parini will face a challenge from Conservative Larry McCormick and Republican Michele HerrNeckar for her seat.

Meanwhile, Republican Clerk Kay Miles and Republican Highway Superintendent Thomas DeWall are both unopposed in their bids to return to office for another two years. Republican Benjamin Ray is unopposed for filling the remainder of a two-year term on the town council.

In the Town of Howard, there will be a Republican primary to fill two councilman seats, with incumbents Robert Palmer and William Hatch facing a challenge from Eric Hosmer, a wind opponent. Supervisor Don Evia, listed on the Republican and Conservative lines, is unopposed for a two-year term, while Clerk Loreen Karr also is unopposed in her bid to return for two more years.

The Town of Cohocton will have Republican primaries for the supervisor, clerk, justice, two councilman seats, highway superintendent and two assessor positions, spearheaded by an anti-wind development contingent there.

Incumbent Supervisor Jack Zigenfus is being challenged by Robert Strasburg II for a two-year term, incumbent Sandra Riley will face off against Blair Hall for a two-year clerk term, incumbent Justice Hal Graham will be opposed by Stoner Clark for a four-year position, while incumbent councilmen Milton LeVesque and Wayne Hunt are being challenged by Cesare Taccone and Steve Sick. The other Republican primaries include incumbent Thomas Simons against Charles Mohr for a two-year highway superintendent position, and incumbents Joanne Damboise and Mark Densmore - who also is listed on the Conservative line - facing off against Rebecca Conrad and Christina Brautigam for two four-year assessor slots.

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