Fawcett to hold GOP line on ballot

LYONSDALE — Lyonsdale's town supervisor will hold the Republican Party line in the November general election.

Supervisor Roscoe K. "Rocky" Fawcett Jr. — who tied challenger and past Supervisor Samuel A. Marmon, 63-63, in a Republican primary earlier this month — has chosen to hold the party line, according to Lewis County Board of Elections officials.

Mr. Fawcett also holds the Independence Party line and an independent line, while Mr. Marmon will appear solely on an independent line.

Attorneys at the state Board of Elections office determined that the town of Lyonsdale's Republican Committee — of which Mr. Fawcett is the only member — should be allowed to break the tie.

At a meeting last week following a discussion on the matter, county Republican Party committee members encouraged the incumbent supervisor to accept the party line, said Samuel F. Villanti, the county's GOP chairman.

"I asked them for advice, and they gave it to me," Mr. Fawcett said. "And I followed it."

Mr. Marmon said he thought it was a bit of a cop-out for his opponent to follow others' advice, rather than just making the decision himself.

"I'm glad they didn't suggest we have a duel, like Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton," he said.

If the roles were reversed, Mr. Marmon said he would have left the Republican line blank.

"I hope he joins the Lyonsdale Republican Committee," countered Mr. Fawcett.