Candidates Named at Town Caucus

Here's a rundown of the candidates nominated at last night's caucus.

  There is one contested race in the upcoming March election following last night's Town Caucus. There is still time for potential candidates to get their names on the ballot though. As of last night, the only real race is that for a five-year term on the Concord Housing Authority. The race is now between Raymond Snay and Linda Escobedo, both of whom are very active in town affairs. Snay, the current chairman of the Council on Aging was praised for his work with senior citizens by speaker at last night's caucus, and was said to have a keen insight into that demographic in town, which would make him a good fit for the Housing Authority. Escobedo, who has worked with the Community Chest, Hugh Cargill Trust, and the Open Table has a …

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REMINDER: Town Caucus Tomorrow

Nominate your candidates tomorrow night at the Town House.

  The annual Town Caucus will be held tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., at the Town House. Anyone interested in running for an elected position is encouraged to attend and seek nomination at the caucus.  Appearing on the ballot this year will be a one-year term for Town Moderator; two three-year terms on the Board of Selectmen; two three-year terms on the School Committee; and one five-year term on the Housing Authority. Although a sample ballot will not be drafted until after the Town Caucus, those who have expressed interest in running for various positions so far include incumbent Town Moderator Eric Van Loon and incumbent Selectman Elise Woodward seeking re-election. Additionally, Phil Benincasa intends to run for a seat on the School Committee, …

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Town Positions Up for Grabs in Spring Election

Town Clerk Anita Tekle talks Town Caucus and the nomination process.

  The annual Town Caucus is set for Monday, Jan. 9, and Town Clerk Anita Tekle is encouraging people considering a run for town office to come out and make it official. "I'm urging people to come get nominated on the ninth," Tekle said. On this year's ballot, is a one-year term as Town Moderator; two three-year terms on the Board of Selectmen; two three-year terms on the School Committee; and one five-year term on the Housing Authority. Although there are no official candidates until after the Town Caucus, Tekel said incumbents Town Moderator Eric Van Loon and Selectmen Elise Woodward will be seeking re-election. Selectman Greg Howes and School Committee members Peter Fischelis and Jerry Wedge are not running for re-election. According to …

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The Week in Review

The Things We Covered

Looking back at last week in the news.

The past week included a town election with a dismal turnout, prompted, we hope, by the lack of candidates. Incumbents ran unopposed for moderator, School Committee and selectman. There was a three-way race for Housing Authority that K.C. Winslow won, defeating Anita Barker and Stephen Newbold. There was an April Fool's snowfall on Friday that did not pose any threat since the temperature was high enough to see it melt over the weekend. The Emerson Umbrella debuted "Ragtime," which is the subject of the upcoming "Viewfinder" this Thursday on Patch. We covered a forum on Haiti in Carlisle where representatives of nonprofits met under the aegis of the Concord Rotary Club to report on progress in the still-suffering island nation. According …

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Election Results 'Interesting' Town Clerk Says

Turnout 'pathetic.'

The results are in, and Tuesday's local election cost the town $16 per vote, according to Town Clerk Anita Tekle. There are 12,000 registered voters in town, and 742 turned out. In the one contested race, K.C. Winslow edged out Stephen Newbold for a seat on the Housing Authority by 33 votes, 289 for Winslow and 256 for Newbold. Winslow also beat a second challenger, Anita Barker who got 171 votes. Tekle said each of the Housing Authority candidates won in their own precinct, making it a close race. Jeff Wieand was reelected as selectman with 607 votes; Eric Van Loon is moderator for another year with 635 votes; and Pam Gannon was reelected to the School Committee with 617 votes, each in uncontested races. "The turnout was a pathetic 6 …

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Betsy Levinson

10:34 am on Thursday, March 31, 2011

Interesting. Certainly there is concern about the lack of attendance at Town Meeting. It may be inevitable that the town adopts some new way of handling the town's business so that more voters can participate.   more ›

Update: Dismal Turnout by Midday at Town Election

Record low voting reported.

Tuesday, March 29 is election day in Concord. There are three uncontested races for School Committee, selectman and moderator, and one spot open on the Housing Authority for which three people threw their hats in the ring. Jeff Wieand is the current chairman of the Board of Selectmen and has no challenger. Pam Gannon is running uncontested for School Committee. Eric Van Loon seeks another one-year term as moderator. But by 1 p.m., the polling places were all but vacant except for the poll workers and the police officer assigned to the room. Harvey Wheeler poll Warden Bill Ritchie shook his head when asked about the turnout, and poll worker Ray Hanselman said only about 63 people had cast a ballot. At the Keyes Road precinct voting booths, …

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