Concord’s Town Caucus Is Today

What do you look for in a town leader? Let us know in the comment section below.

  At  7:30 p.m. tonight at the Town House, Concord will hold its annual Town Caucus, a ceremony of sorts featuring nominations of candidates for each office to be filled in the upcoming Town Election. The caucus can nominate up to two residents for each opening, and their names will automatically be placed on the ballot. But it’s not the only way to get on the ballot – folks who want to run and aren’t nominated can take out nomination papers, collect signatures from 50 registered Concord voters and submit their papers by 5 p.m. the day after the caucus, which in this case means tomorrow, Jan. 29. This year’s openings include: In years past, the caucus has come and gone without causing much of a stir; bad jokes often outnumber the contested…

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The Week in Review

Week in Review: Town Caucus, Skiing Accident, Carjacking

Here's a look back at some of the top headlines on Concord Patch over the last week.

  Concord's Town Caucus was held on Tuesday. Candidates who would like appear on the ballot in the March election may still do so, even if they were not nominated at the caucus, by turning in the proper paperwork to Town Clerk Anita Tekle by Jan. 17. Click here for an introduction to the candidates nominated at the Town Caucus, and keep an eye out for more in-depth candidate profiles in the coming weeks on Concord Patch. Also on Tuesday, a 7-year-old girl on a trip with the Concord Recreational Ski Program fell 17-feet from a chair lift at the Nashoba Valley Ski Area. The girl was taken to UMass Medical Center in Worcester for reported back pain after the fall onto 2-feet of packed snow. On Wednesday, we broke a story about a carjacking …

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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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Selectmen to Meet Before Town Caucus

Here's a look at what's up for discussion before tonight's caucus.

  The Board of Selectmen is meeting tonight at 6 p.m. to take care of some business before the Town Caucus at 7:30 p.m. The Board will first convene in executive session to discuss matters of land acquisition, before calling to order open session at 6:30 p.m. The consent agenda will include the town accountant's warrants, minutes, and acceptance of a $500 gift for the Police and Fire Gift Accounts and a $1,250 gift for the Visitor Information Center account. After hearing Town Manager Chris Whelan's weekly report, the Board will vote on a health plan benefit change, and will finalize the 2012 Annual Town Meeting warrant. The Board will also discuss the appointment of Catherine Perry to the Conservation Stewardship Committee through May …

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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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Democratic Town Committee to Meet Jan. 31

Concord's Democratic Town Committee will convene at the Main branch of the Public Library.

  The following announcement comes from Janet Beyer on behalf of the Democratic Town Committee. The Concord Democratic Town Committee will meet Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Main branch of the Concord Free Public Library, in the downstairs meeting room. Gathering starts at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be Harmony Wu, supporter and commentator of the Occupy movement. Harmony is an organizer of the Occupy the 'Burbs effort to build a mainstream, grassroots movement to fight for economic justice.  Harmony will talk about what Occupy has accomplished, where it is now, where it's going, and how to become involved. The meeting will also discuss the upcoming caucus to elect delegates to the Massachusetts …

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Tonto

9:39 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012

Ya think Wu will be honest and tell the crowd the Occupoo thing was a big diversion away from OblameO's failed economy? The DNC called it off as it ran out of contol with kooks, bums, and wacos?   more ›

Escobedo to Run for Concord Housing Authority

Linda L. Escobedo of Wedgewood Common announces her candidacy for the Concord Housing Authority.

  The following announcement comes from Linda L. Escobedo: After considerable thought and with the encouragement of others, I am announcing my intention to have my name placed in nomination at next week’s Town Caucus for the open seat on the Concord Housing Authority Board. As a Concord resident and active community volunteer for many years who currently serves on boards of the Concord Community Chest and Open Table, and previously on the Town of Concord's Hugh Cargill Trust, I have seen the importance of the town supporting a range of housing options to the benefit of all in our community. There are many efforts in the town that work toward this goal, as challenging as it is. One important component of these efforts is the work of the …

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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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