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Siegel Leads, But Diana Not Conceding Yet In Yorktown Town Board Race

YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Susan Siegel appears to be the newest member of the Yorktown Town Board, but her opponent is not going quietly.

Susan Siegel

Susan Siegel

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Susan Siegel
Tom Diana

Tom Diana

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tom Diana

According to unofficial election results from the Westchester County Board of Elections, Siegel leads Tom Diana 5,543 votes to 5,414 votes, 51 percent to 49 percent, with 100 percent of the vote counted. 

Siegel, a Democrat and former town supervisor, and Diana, a Republican, were running to fill the seat left vacant when Dave Paganelli was elected town highway superintendent.

Diana said due to absentee ballots yet to be counted, he was not ready to concede. Diana also said machines have been impounded due to a major glitch and a recount might occur. 

Absentee ballots will be counted on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

"We're going to wait and see what happens," Diana said. "It's that close. I ran a good campaign and met great people. I hope I am given the opportunity to serve them."?

Siegel said she was cautiously optimistic that she was elected. 

"I'm very encouraged and very positive," Siegel said. "I'm looking forward to serving and bringing back civility to the town board."

The former supervisor said the town has to start moving forward and doing a better job for residents. She hoped the election results would be certified in time for her to vote on the town's 2015 budget.

Siegel, who has often been at odds with Supervisor Michael Grace, the man who ousted her from the supervisor's position, said she feels comfortable working with him.

"There are things he has proposed I can fully support," Siegel  said.

The Town Board still has to fill the vacancy left by the recent resignation of Councilman Nick Bianco and will have to fill another vacancy following Tuesday's election of Councilman Terrence Murphy to the State Senate. 

Yorktown residents also overwhelmingly approved a proposition allowing the Town Board to fill a vacancy within 30 days. If the vacancy is not filled within 30 days, the Town Board can call for a special election or fill the seat in a general election, whichever would come first.

The proposition passed 7,064 votes to 2,450 votes, 74 percent to 26 percent, according to unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections.

Absentee ballots will be counted on Nov. 12.

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