Green Leaf Party mayoral candidate George "Butch" Starkie defeated both current Mayor George Graf and challenger John Garry Jr. in the March 18 village election.

Starkie received 742 votes, while Graf, a member of the Farmingdale Family party picked up 684 votes, and Remembrance Party candidate Garry received 218 votes.

Ralph Ekstrand, a Farmingdale Family party candidate, and William Barrett, a Green Leaf Party candidate each nabbed a trustee spot, earning 782 and 768 votes, respectively. They edged out current trustee and fellow Graf running mate Joseph Rachiele, who received 712 votes and Green Leaf Party candidate Cheryl Parisi, who earned 725 votes.

Starkie called his win "a great victory for Farmingdale."

"We now have an opportunity to show our friends and neighbors that we can work together for the good of our community," he added. "I look forward to working with Ralph Ekstrand. He has been an active member of our community and we all bring assets and strengths to the board. I would also like to thank George Graf and Joe Rachiele for their service to the community. I enjoyed working with them and I look forward to a smooth transition."

Starkie added that he will recommend to the new board that they consider his running mate Cheryl Parisi to fill his trustee position.

"Cheryl received the next highest vote count," he explained. "She has many talents that she will bring to the board and I look forward to working with her."

Being that the position is appointed, the new trustee would have to run in a special election in one year.

Both the mayor and trustees will serve four-year terms. The candidates will be sworn in at the April 7 village trustees meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Village Hall.