Eager eyes watched the television screens at the Onondaga County Democratic Committee post-election party as the cheers and whistles of Democratic zealots echoed through a crowd of 350 people and signaled voting percentages that leaned towards the party’s favor.

The scene was upbeat at the gathering Tuesday night at the Genesee Inn, where the two newly elected at-large common councilors were announced: Democrats Beth Brownson, with 38 percent of the vote, and Bill Ryan with 41 percent.

‘It was a fantastic night for the Democratic Party in the city of Syracuse,’ said Robert Romeo, the chairman of the Democratic Committee in Onondaga County.

The two candidates said they both worked hard to earn their elected titles.

‘I did everything I needed to do, and I figured that’s all I could do,’ Ryan said.

Brownson, too, was content but exhausted from her extensive campaign. Kurt Schmeling, the defeated third candidate, acknowledged that his chance for a seat in the office was a long shot.

‘I did my best to get my message out,’ he said. ‘The flattering part of this whole process is the issues that I started with are the issues they are talking about now.’

Brownson is eager to begin her four-year term this winter.

‘Throughout my campaign, I was only able to report people’s concerns, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it,’ Brownson said. ‘Now I can call it in and ask the department to report back to me. It’s a way for me to bring closure to the situation.’

Her first priority in office will be to question the budget, especially in the area of education.

Brownson said her previous experience as a county legislator will help her identify fiscal concerns.

‘I’m not afraid to question things,’ she said.

Ryan doesn’t have specific plans he is looking forward to implementing as soon as he enters office in January. Because this is his first position as an elected official, he will approach the first months with an open mind.

‘To start off, I’m going to keep my mouth shut and my ears open,’ Ryan said.

Donna Kassman was pleased to see results in favor of the Democratic Party, including Democrats taking all four open seats on the school board.

‘When you’re a part of the working class, it’s the Democratic Party that’s out there working for you,’ Kassman said. She attended the party in support of both Ryan and Peter Kavanagh, a common councilor who lost in the first district race.

‘We’re taking all the people who are less fortunate along with us,’ Kassman said.

Though the loss was discouraging, Schmeling said it wouldn’t prevent him from running again in the future.

‘If the same conditions exist, then most definitely,’ he said.

His main concern with the common council is the amount of influence lawyers hold over it.

‘[There is too much] robbing Peter to pay Paul,’ he said.

Schmeling’s supporters, too, were discouraged that not enough voters gave him a chance at office.

‘He has always had problems with the city,’ said his son Derek Schmeling, who voiced similar concerns about current council values.

Published on November 4, 2003 at 12:00 pm