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Catalina Claims Victory in Peekskill Mayoral Race; Common Council Too Close

UPDATED 12:25 A.M Wednesday

Mayor Mary Foster

Mayor Mary Foster

Photo Credit: File Photo
Frank Catalina

Frank Catalina

Photo Credit: File Photo

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- With 81 percent of districts reporting, Frank Catalina leads Mary Foster in the race for mayor of Peekskill, 52 percent to 48 percent.

With unofficial results in, Catalina had tallied 1,567 votes to Foster's 1,458. Foster has yet to concede though Catalina is claiming victory and looking ahead to his next term.

"I feel elated," Catalina said. "We're very gratified."

Catalina said residents were tired of six straight years of deficit budgets with no expansion of Peekskill's tax base. 

"You can't blame it on the economy," Catalina said. "Cortlandt didn't. We don't need to have studies and consultants. It's time for a action. People think the city has thrived, but everyone knows that we're not thriving. We're hurting."

Catalina said he would repeal the transfer tax, and remove time limits for speakers at meetings and remove police from meetings. He said he would have office hours on Saturday.

"We are going to be an open and transparent government," Catalina said. "We will not go into executive session without specifying why."

The race for three seats on the Common Council is too close to call.

Democrats Drew Claxton had 17 percent of the votes, Andrew Torres had 16 percent and Marybeth McGowan had 17 percent. Republicans Chris Hanzlik had 17 percent of the votes, Joe Torres had 17 percent and Vincent A. Vesce had 16 percent.

Councilwoman Drew Claxton, was running for a fourth term, and fellow Democrats Councilwoman Marybeth McGowan and Councilman Andrew Torres were running for second terms.

The Republican challengers were Vinny Vesce, Joe Torres and Chris Hanzlik.

Incumbent Democrat Vivian McKenzie and Republican Leslie Detres were running for an unexpired term. McKenzie was appointed in the wake of Councilman Don Bennett's resignation due to health issues.

McKenzie leads Detres 51 percent to 49 percent. 

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