Election Results (From Salem News)

MAYOR
7,468 - Bonfanti
2,712 - Donovan

AT-LARGE
7,363 - Bettencourt
5,952 - Gravel
5,729 - Manning
5,725 - Garabedian
5,315 - Liacos
---------------
4,376 - Moutsoulas
4,238 - Aylward

WARD 1
1,083 - Osborne
0,993 - Forti

WARD 4 - RECOUNT?
1,150 - Driscoll
1,149 - Grayson

WARD 6
1,366 - Sinewitz
0,993 - Sheehan

SCHOOL COMMITTEE
6,297 - Dunne
5,655 - Rossignoll
4,936 - Hochman
-------------------------
4,167 - Nizwantowski
4,088 - Olimpio

MUNICIPAL LIGHT COMM
7,183 - Paras
3,914 - Wheatley
----------------
3,387 - Bonfanti
2,153 - Chancey

LIBRARY... all will get in

Peabody Patriot reporting election results live tonight

The Peabody Patriot is reporting election results live.

http://peabodyelections.blogspot.com/

City Election, Tuesday, November 3, 2009

POLLS OPEN TUESDAY MORNING
AT 7:00 AM AND CLOSE AT 8:00 PM

Please vote. It is what countless American's before you have fought and died for... so that you can have the opportunity to express your right to have the government of your choosing. Not voting is both unpatriotic and a damning indictment of our system of government. It also means that you choose not to matter... and you do matter.

Where to vote: Massachusetts Voting Information

Voting location in Peabody by Ward and Precinct.

Ward 1 - 1: St. Ann’s Church Hall, 140 Lynn Street
Ward 1 - 2: Woodbridge Assisted Living, 240 Lynnfield St
Ward 1 - 3: St. Ann’s Church Hall, 140 Lynn Street
Ward 2 - 1: Welch School Gym, end of Swampscott Ave
Ward 2 - 2: Welch School Gym, end of Swampscott Ave
Ward 2 - 3: South Memorial School Gym, 16 Maple St Ext
Ward 3 - 1: Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rear Lower Lvl, 50 Walsh Ave
Ward 3 - 2: Our Lady of Fatima Church, Rear Lower Lvl, 50 Walsh Ave
Ward 3 - 3: Wilson Terrace Community Hall, 15 Wilson Terrace
Ward 4 - 1: Higgins Middle School Gym, 1 King Street Extension
Ward 4 - 2: Higgins Middle School Gym, 1 King Street Extension
Ward 4 - 3: Peabody Veterans Memorial High School Gym, 485 Lowell St
Ward 4 - 3A: 300 Brooksby Village Drive, MacIntosh Clubhouse
Ward 5 - 1: Kiley School Gymnasium, 21 Johnson Street
Ward 5 - 2: Kiley School Gymnasium, 21 Johnson Street
Ward 5 - 3: McCarthy School Gymnasium, 76 Lake Street
Ward 6 - 1: West Memorial School Gymnasium, 15 Bow Street
Ward 6 - 2: Burke School Gymnasium, 127 Birch Street
Ward 6 - 3: Burke School Gymnasium, 127 Birch Street

Ward Councilor Races in Peabody

I was asked to give some predictions and endorsements for the upcoming elections in November. Now, predictions are often rather easy here in Peabody... never bet against the incumbent. As for endorsements... well my though it who cares what I think? But I was asked so I will give mine below... BUT PLEASE add yours in the comments as well. Especially OG as you were requested as well.

But first... here are the 3 recent news articles from The Salem News on the three ward races with challengers.

Two campaign for Ward 1 council seat

Newcomer, veteran vie for Ward 4 seat

Ward 6 hopefuls tangle over temperament

So lets start with the sad news... Ward 2, 3 and 5 can't even muster enough interest to get a challenger to the incumbent,

Ward 2: Arthur Athas (unopposed)
Ward 3: Rico E. Mello (unopposed)
Ward 5: David R. Gamache (unopposed)

This is a sad state of affairs in my opinion. I like to see a vigorous campaign with lots of ideas being tossed around and a future vision of Peabody being discussed. Sadly this will not be happening in Wards 2, 3 or 5.

Ward 1

Endorsement: Rob Forti
Why? I think he has shown he has both an interest in his Ward and a high level of energy that he is willing to put into the job. When he used to post on the Peabody blogs, he was often a very reasonable person who made logical arguments and seemed willing to listen to others point of view. I think he would bring some new energy and responsibility to the council and Ward 1.
Prediction: This one could be close... but I think inertia will prevail and Barry Osbourne will emerge as the winner.

Ward 4

Endorsement: Jeff Grayson
Why? I have met both these candidates (I live in Ward 4) and while I personally like Bob Driscoll, I think he has lost real interest in the job. He is running hard (first time in a while) but I don't like what he has turned into as a councilor. He has sided with irrational and misguided neighbors over zoning issues in Brooksby Farms (going against the recommendation of the City's experts in order to placate a few vocal locals.) But more importantly, while I have heard him blame the CC for inaction on many issues... he is PART OF THAT PROBLEM and has been powerless to do anything about it for too long. Time to give someone else a chance to try.
But enough about why Driscoll has lost my support. I think Grayson has a future in Peabody politics. He is young and bright and full of energy and ideas... and idealism as well. And while idealism alone is NOT enough to change the world... it is better than a "No We Can't" attitude that the current City Council membership seems to rejoice in.
Prediction: This one will probably NOT be close... Bob Driscoll will win.

Ward 6

Endorsement: Barry Sinewitz
Why? Or rather... WHAT?? How can I endorse Sinewitz? I do not personally find Councilor Sinewitz to be either well informed or particularly gracious in his actions as a councilor here in Peabody. I certainly often disagree with his opinions and voting record, but mostly I dislike his reactionary style of politics. And yet I am endorsing him.
His opponent, Mr. Sheehan is perhaps a fine fellow... but he has yet to make that clear to the people. I NEVER FULLY TRUST what I read online... but then he goes and makes the Westside a linchpin in his campaign when given an open opportunity in the Salem News article. I am beginning to see why so many people see him as a non-candidate.
Prediction: This one will be a landslide and Barry Sinewitz will win easily.

I welcome comments and thoughts on the Ward Councilor races here. I will be posting additional posts on the At-Large and the School Committee races.

I will not bother to look at the other races as the race for Mayor is a joke and Bonfanti will win by a huge margin (with no real competition) and as for the other races????? Who cares?

Missing Signs

I just wanted to make a mention here of the sign controversy in Ward 6, where Councilor Sinewitz's signs have gone missing in two different incidents. There are also other signs, including Mr. Sheehan's, missing - but in numbers that do not indicate a targeted action. The Sinewitz signs do appear to be being targeted.

The Salem News: Sheehan condemns theft of opponent's campaign signs
The Salem News: Sinewitz's campaign signs stolen in Ward 6
The Salem News Opinion Letters: West Peabody race gets nasty

There is much discussion going on at Keith Doucette's Peabody Patriot blog.

I feel that both candidates are handling this very well and that neither is involved in the pilfering of the other's signs. I am very hopeful the Peabody police get to the bottom of this quickly.

Stealing ANY campaign sign is simply unamerican and cowardly! Freedom of speech, especially political speech, is a hard fought for right and a basic expectation in our country.

Election Posts - Updated

I have updated all the election blog topics (top left menus) to include the most current information on candidates running for these offices.

This is a place for talking, questioning and politic'ing... but likewise for people holding candidates to the task of explaining what they plan to do if we elect them.

Separate blog topics may be started for more news related items and as we get closer to the November election date.

Rumor wrong - Doucette NOT running in Ward 6

Well it seems the rumor was wrong and that there was some organized group of posters (or simply one mimicking many) who wished to make it look as if Keith Doucette was running for Ward 6 Councilor. This rumor is and was false.

Here is what I wrote at Keith's Blog:
Note: I am not linking to Keith's blog at his request.

Keith...
I reported a 'rumor,' then it was 'confirmed' by many posters.
Then you pulled your site down.
This all seemed to fit.
Sorry if you feel wronged again.
Unlike many others I will state when I have made a mistake. This obviously is a mistake and I am sorry if I have offended you (yet again.)

That being said... I am not a paid reporter and do not have all the time in the world to check everything myself. I do not, for instance, call the participants in every news article to confirm the reporters veracity.

However... I probably should have been a little more vigilant when it comes to rumor passing by anonymous sources. I will try and do better.

Ward Council races starting to get interesting

It has been reported on The Peabody Patriot that two new folks have tossed their hats into the ring. Jeff Grayson (a political new comer - at least to me) has pulled papers to run against Ward 4 Councilor Bob Driscoll and in Ward 6, Keith Doucette has also pulled papers to run against Councilor Barry Sinewitz.

I personally welcome ALL participants into the political fray - as long as they are serious candidates and have the best interests of the people at heart.

I think a vigorous campaign that is well intentioned and focuses on substantial issues in these difficult times is the VERY BEST THING FOR OUR CITY!

I would be proud to sign the nomination papers for these two gentlemen, or anyone else serious about entering the political stage.

Ward 6: City Council

This is the area for people to post comments on the race for Ward 6 City Councilor.

Incumbent:
Barry C. Sinewitz

Challenger:
Ronald A. Sheehan