Retired obstetrician and political rookie David Kogon is the new mayor of Amherst.
Kogon got more than twice as many votes as George Baker, the controversial councillor recently suspended by the town's police commission.
Kogon had an ally in former mayor Jerry Hallee.
"He...put his support behind me, and he became a very welcome addition to my campaign team,” Kogon said Saturday.
Kogon said the main challenge faced by Amherst over the next four years is the declining business base.
“I think the Number 1 issue that needs to be addressed is growth and development of our businesses. Amherst had a bit of decline, compared to gains, and our commercial tax base is projected to shrink over the next few years, and that trend needs to be reversed."
Baker hit a rough spot in his campaign, receiving a 90-day suspension from the local Board of Police Commissioners on Oct. 3 , for using a racial slur. He sits on the board as a councillor.
The matter was sent to the Board of Police Commissioners after Amherst council decided not to reprimand him.
Baker, admitted to saying, "I am not your n--ger" in the summer, while working a side job at Bambino's Pizzeria.
The councillor, who has served five terms, decided to continue his mayoral campaign, even after numerous requests, and a downtown rally, demanding that he withdraw.