ONEIDA, N.Y. — The city of Oneida is welcoming a number of candidates at the city and county levels on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Wards 1 and 2 residents can vote at St Paul’s Methodist Church at 551 Sayles St., while residents of Wards 3, 4, 5, 6 can vote at the Kallet Civic Center at 159 Main St.
While most positions are incumbents who are running unopposed, the races for Oneida’s first and third wards represent changes in philosophy and approach to governance in the city.
“After witnessing elected officials preventing and sabotaging progress, I am more motivated than ever to serve on Common Council,” First Ward candidate Lynne McHugh said in a campaign statement. “They drove out qualified people and used inaction as a tool to advance personal agendas. This has come at a great cost to the city.”
The Oneida Common Council will have four new members because four of its current councilors — First Ward Councilman Jim Szczerba, Second Ward Councilman and Deputy Mayor Steve Laureti, Third Ward Councilwoman Andrea Hitchings, and Fourth Ward Councilman Rob Winchell — are not running for re-election.
Council members serve two-year terms.
“They made excuses and avoided transparency,” McHugh said. “Our region is on the cusp of growth and we need new, vibrant energy to move this city forward. Residents deserve leaders that will adhere to principles of good governance and be able to look at old problems with new eyes.”
Former Oneida Mayor Peter F. Hedglon is running on the Republican and United 4 Oneida against McHugh, who is running on the Democratic and ONE Oneida parties to represent Oneida’s Ward One.
McHugh is a therapist who has maintained a successful private practice in Oneida for more than 15 years. She said she will support local business by streamlining and simplifying codes while exploring untapped possibilities for revenue.
Hedglon was Oneida Mayor from 2008-2009. He worked as the Sylvan Beach Village Attorney and addressed matters ranging from wastewater treatment system bonding to implementing the Open Meetings Law. He also worked in public employee labor law negotiating contracts and disciplinary cases.
“While a Councilperson votes on resolutions, local laws and ordinances before the Council, there is an equally important role for Councilpersons to provide information to the public as to what the Council is doing and, more importantly, why it is being done,” he said.
Democrat Nathan Smith is running against Brian D. Bortree, who is running on the Republican and United 4 Oneida party lines, to represent Oneida’s Third Ward.
Smith has criticized the current council over their handling of former interim City Manager Douglas Selby’s tenure, citing a lack of professionalism and transparency in their approach. He strongly opposes the council’s recent budget, which he believes irresponsibly drains the general fund and was passed without the necessary votes.
Smith has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the State University of New York at Oswego and currently works as a manager and product owner in software testing for a large insurance company.
“I am running because the residents of Ward 3 deserve a voice on the Common Council who will prioritize their concerns and hold city leadership accountable,” Smith said in a campaign statement. “The way our current Common Council has operated — through closed-door meetings, financial mismanagement, and questionable decision-making — has eroded public trust.”
“It’s time for a change,” Smith continued. “Trust is the currency all communities trade in, and I want to restore that trust between our city government and the people of Oneida.”
Melissa Luck was running unopposed for a two-year term as Oneida City Chamberlain on the Democratic party line, but has withdrawn from the race after taking a position with another employer.
In July, the council voted 5-1 to abolish the elected position of City Chamberlain. Oneida residents can now vote on the law on Nov. 4. The item will be placed on the city’s general election ballot. If passed, the city will eliminate the chamberlain position effective 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2027.
Before the July vote, former Oneida City Supervisor and Sixth Ward Councilman Joe Magliocca said Oneida is one of only two or three municipalities in New York State that still elects a city chamberlain.
“It is time to move forward,” he said. “A strong public information campaign like the one that successfully promoted the city manager referendum is crucial. It’s about bringing responsibility, structure and accountability to this office.”
Republican David M. Cimpi is running unopposed for Ward Two councilman.
Republican Janet M. Jones is running unopposed for Ward Four councilwoman.
Incumbent Republican William P. Pagano is running unopposed for Ward Five councilman.
Incumbent Republican Thomas L. Simchik is running unopposed for Ward Six councilman.
Oneida Mayor Rick Rossi is running unopposed for a second two-year term on the Republican and United 4 Oneida party lines.
The city has three candidates running for two-year terms for Oneida Supervisor Wards 1,2,3. Incumbent candidates Mary Cavanagh and Matthew Roberts on the Republican and the United 4 Oneida party lines. Current First Ward Councilman James B. Szczerba is running as a Conservative.
Republican Brandee DuBois Henderson and Michelle Ironside Kinville are running unopposed for Oneida Supervisor Wards 4,5,6 on the Republican and United 4 Oneida party lines.
Todd Dexter is running unopposed for a two-year term for Oneida City Judge on the Democratic, Republican, Conservative and Working Families party lines.
A number of incumbent candidates are running unopposed for Madison County positions. Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood, Madison County District Attorney Robert A. Mascari and Madison County Clerk Michael T. Keville II are running for four-year-terms on the Republican and Conservative party lines.
