Stephanie Aldersley was just reelected to her second full, four-year term on the Irondequoit Town Board last November, but said this afternoon (Wednesday, July 11), that she will seek to be appointed to a vacancy on the County Legislator and, if appointed, run for the seat in a special election this fall.
The vacancy arose early this week when County Legislator Vincent Esposito, D, Irondequoit, who was also reelected last November, announced that he is resigning, effective July 20, to accept a post with the Finger Lakes region of Empire State Development.
"I agonized over this (decision)," Aldersley said, "but I really think I can better serve Irondequoit in the County Legislature ... that's the basis I made my decision on."
Aldersley, a Democrat, did serve in the County Legislature from 1998 to 2008 and was elected three times, but was term-limited at 10 years.
It has been "well-established," however, that a legislator who had previously been term-limited can run again after a hiatus, Aldersley said, pointing to Legislator Carla Boyce as one example.
Aldersley said that while she will miss serving on the Irondequoit Town Board, where she has made some wonderful friends, "I feel almost more needed in the Legislature ... Irondequoit needs a strong representative in the Legislature, and with Ted O'Brien (Irondequoit's other County Legislator) running for State Senate, I felt that's where I need to be, and that I have a good shot of winning."
While the President of the County Legislature — currently Republican Jeff Adair — makes appointments to fill vacancies, "it has been the custom to accept the recommendation made by the party," Aldersley said, adding that the Monroe County Democratic Committee plans to submit her name.
If she receives the Legislature appointment, the Irondequoit Town Supervisor is charged with appointing someone to fill the vacancy, Aldersley said, "or the supervisor is also allowed to leave the seat vacant."
In any event, there would also be a special election in November to fill the remainder of her term, more than three years, on the Irondequoit Town Board, Aldersley said.
Stephanie Aldersley was just reelected to her second full, four-year term on the Irondequoit Town Board last November, but said this afternoon (Wednesday, July 11), that she will seek to be appointed to a vacancy on the County Legislator and, if appointed, run for the seat in a special election this fall.
The vacancy arose early this week when County Legislator Vincent Esposito, D, Irondequoit, who was also reelected last November, announced that he is resigning, effective July 20, to accept a post with the Finger Lakes region of Empire State Development.
"I agonized over this (decision)," Aldersley said, "but I really think I can better serve Irondequoit in the County Legislature ... that's the basis I made my decision on."
Aldersley, a Democrat, did serve in the County Legislature from 1998 to 2008 and was elected three times, but was term-limited at 10 years.
It has been "well-established," however, that a legislator who had previously been term-limited can run again after a hiatus, Aldersley said, pointing to Legislator Carla Boyce as one example.
Aldersley said that while she will miss serving on the Irondequoit Town Board, where she has made some wonderful friends, "I feel almost more needed in the Legislature ... Irondequoit needs a strong representative in the Legislature, and with Ted O'Brien (Irondequoit's other County Legislator) running for State Senate, I felt that's where I need to be, and that I have a good shot of winning."
While the President of the County Legislature — currently Republican Jeff Adair — makes appointments to fill vacancies, "it has been the custom to accept the recommendation made by the party," Aldersley said, adding that the Monroe County Democratic Committee plans to submit her name.
If she receives the Legislature appointment, the Irondequoit Town Supervisor is charged with appointing someone to fill the vacancy, Aldersley said, "or the supervisor is also allowed to leave the seat vacant."
In any event, there would also be a special election in November to fill the remainder of her term, more than three years, on the Irondequoit Town Board, Aldersley said.
