Irondequoit, N.Y. -- One of the biggest upsets to come out of Tuesday's election is in the Town of Irondequoit where Supervisor Mary Ellen Heyman was voted out, to be replaced by relative newcomer Mary Joyce D'Aurizio.
Mary Joyce D'Aurizio says she's ready to get to work. She'll start right away by asking the current administration to issue a hiring freeze and a bonding freeze, and to stop all contract negotiations until her new administration can fully examine the 2010 budget.
The promise of fiscal responsibility is one reason voters with whom we spoke say they voted for D’Aurizio.
Items that top the list for the new supervisor include the challenge of Medley Centre redevelopment and the controversy over whether to move the town's senior center or to expand the existing one.
D’Aurizio said that in this economy taxpayers need government to be careful with their money.
“They do not want to see any more employees hired. They do not want to see any more debt for the time being. They're trying to stabilize their own lives because of loss of jobs, and we're faced with the two issues of reduced tax revenue and pension funds that have to be boosted,” she said.
D'Aurizio said that while she's pleased that two Republicans will replace two Democrats on the town board giving Republicans the majority, she wants to bring an end to the divisiveness in the town and work across party lines.
