By ANDREW MARTIN
The Democratic process was alive and well on Wednesday, July 2.
At least that was the consensus of the town and state government hopefuls asking for signatures at the Charlestown Mini-Super.
Registered voters passing through or buying groceries made their way over to two tables swarming with candidates. Placed in front of them were several petitions waiting for signatures.
Since filing papers were due on June 25, the next step for candidates is to collect 50 signatures so they can run for office. Endorsed candidates, such as Republican council hopefuls Charlene Q. Dunn and Forrester C. Safford, only need 25 each.
CCA President Daniel Slattery was very pleased with the turnout. “Some candidates have collected up to 60 percent of the required signatures,” he said during the first of two signing events from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The second was scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m.
Candidates were notified either via the CCA e-mail list or press releases sent out to local papers, Slattery said. In total, there were petitions available from four state House of Representative candidates; six council hopefuls; and four seeking a seat on the Planning Commission.
Current councilor Katharine H. Waterman, who won’t be seeking reelection but is hoping to gain a spot on the Planning Commission, was shaking hands and welcoming passers-by to invite them to sign her petition. Like Slattery, she was ecstatic about the event.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this kind of event happen and I’m just thrilled with the atmosphere. The Democratic process is in its best form here today,” Waterman said.
Echoing her sentiments was Safford, who is vying for a council seat. “It’s great. There has been no negative feedback at all. It’s all just been very positive,” he said.
Safford, who has lived in town for 60 years and was on the council before, said repeatedly to everyone that signing the papers didn’t indicate how you would vote. It was simply to allow people to run, he added. “This is what America is all about,” Safford said.
Resident Elizabeth Schiedler made her way to each petition to provide her signature, something she said she does every election year.
And although he was there to support his wife Marjorie, who is running for council, Richard Frank put down his name for every candidate. “I think we need to make a change and we need a little help doing that. It’s looking good today, I’m very impressed,” he said.
It was clear by the numerous people providing their John Hancocks that the event was a success. But just to ensure they could gather as many signatures as possible, the CCA invited the candidates to come back for the second signing in the evening. Safford, who already had enough names, said he would be back just to meet any potential voters.
Between the two signings, the following candidates showed up or provided their papers: -Running for council: Democrat Ralph C. Conti; Republicans Forrester C. Safford and Charlene Q. Dunn; Independents Gregory J. Avedisian, Frank L. Bradbury, Marjorie F. Frank and Richard Hosp -Running for Planning Commission: Bruce A. Ennis, Katharine H. Waterman; Vic G. Dvorak; Gordon L. Foer -Running for state Rep. Dist. 36: Republicans Donna M. Walsh and David Cotè; Independent Matthew McHugh -Running for state Rep. Dist. 39: Democrat Larry Valencia.
|
