POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Candidates wanted

By Mark Scheer<br><a href="mailto:scheerm@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Mark</a>
Greater Niagara Newspapers

July 06, 2008 12:55 am

— Niagara County’s Conservative Party is looking for a few good candidates.
Party Chairman Daniel Weiss announced this week plans to hold open interviews with county residents seeking the party’s endorsement for various offices that will be up for grabs in this year’s election.
Members of the party’s Executive Committee will hold interviews from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Wheatfield Community Center, 2790 Church Road, North Tonawanda.
For more information, contact Weiss at 531-5332.
Democratic endorsements
Members of the Niagara Falls City Democratic Committee this week formally endorsed Diane Vitello for City Court judge and James Voutour for Niagara County sheriff.
Vitello, a former Niagara County assistant district attorney, was appointed earlier this month by Mayor Paul Dyster to replace Robert Restaino as City Court judge. She took the bench June 23 and has announced her intention to seek election for a full, 10-year term in City Court later this year.
Votour entered the unofficial race for sheriff earlier this month. Current Sheriff Tom Beilein, who is expected to take a job in Albany with the state Commission of Corrections, has endorsed Votour as his preferred successor. Votour will likely face off against Republican candidate and Niagara Falls Detective Capt. Ernest C. Palmer.
Also receiving the nod from city Democrats this week were a pair of incumbents, U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter in the 28th Congressional District and Francine DelMonte in the 138th New York state Assembly District. Committee members previously endorsed New York state Sen. Antoine Thompson in the 60th Senate District.
Upcoming event
City Democrats have announced plans for their annual summer event, which will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 13 at the VFW Post 917 LaSalle Griffon, 2435 Seneca Ave. Slaughter will be the honored guest.
For additional information, contact Kevin Ormsby, Niagara Falls Democratic Committee chairman at
990-5539.