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Walker Officially ‘Loves

Otsego,’ Judge Declares

Marietta Will Use ‘Otsego United’ Line

COOPERSTOWN – Republican Tim Walker is the winner of this round of the contest with county Rep. Andrew Marietta, D-Cooperstown/Town of Otsego, for the District 8 seat on the county Board of Representatives.

State Supreme Court Judge Eugene D. Faughnan today issued his opinion in an action brought by Marietta:  “Independent party names are only protected to the extent their petitions for the same office are filed first, for that election cycle.  There is nothing in the election law which provides any ‘year over year’ protection to an independent party’s name or symbol.”

Marietta had run on the “I Love Otsego” label in 2015, and used the term to brand his Facebook page and website.

However, at 9:01 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, the first day independent petitions could be filed, a county Board of Election employee, on Walker’s behalf, filed for “I Love Otsego” and the same symbol Marietta had used two years before.

The more significant round comes Tuesday, Nov. 7, when the 14 county board seats are up for election.

Walker’s name will appear on the Republican and “I Love Otsego” lines on the Nov. 7 ballot, and Marietta’s will appear on the Democratic and “Otsego United” lines.