Ladies take the two school seats
Published on April 7th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - School Committee Chairman Steven Gucciardi is going to be one lonely guy.
Incumbent Jeanne Craigie, a Duncklee Avenue resident, and Walsh Avenue resident Mary Pecoraro were successful in their bids to improve further upon the educational system in Stoneham - joining current members Mary Carey, Marie Christie and Gucciardi, now the committee's lone male.
Pecoraro was the top vote getter in the three-way race, garnering 1,768 votes compared to Craigie's 1,504. Charles Street resident Thomas Noonan fell short in his bid, however, receiving 1,031 votes for a seat.
"I appreciate the confidence that the voters of the Town of Stoneham had in me," Pecoraro, a newcomer to the political game, said. "This is my first campaign. I thought it (the 1,768 votes) was wonderful and energizing.
"I plan to do my best."
Craigie was equally pleased with the outcome of the race.
"I'm happy I'm in," she said. "I'm very appreciative to the voters once again for allowing me to remain on the School Committee. I know that they know that I will serve them in the best interest of the children."
Noonan said he was mildly disappointed to have lost the campaign, but maintained that his confidence in the School Committee has not faltered.
"I thought I did good. I thought the race was a lot of fun. I met a lot of nice people; a lot of interesting people who had a lot of good stories to tell."
Noonan said he was particularly interested in one resident's opinions on the need for town-funded busing next year - a conversation which resulted in a change of opinion.
"I don't sway easily, but having talked to her, I was swayed," Noonan said of his present mindset. "I hope they take care of that issue and keep it in the schools."
Craigie said that the campaign was well run on all sides and expressed the need for further movement by the School Committee.
"Both opponents ran a good campaign. It (Pecoraro's top billing) shows that she worked hard. I hope that we can work together as a team and do what's best for the School Department.
"I really want to thank the voters. Mary and I both received their support and I'm very grateful."
She continued by saying, "We need to finalize the budget first of all. We have to relook at the busing issue because we have some unanticipated funds that now look like they're available. We also need to immediately set up the committee to look for a new special education director."
Pecoraro stated that during her first few weeks on the committee, she will have to play some catch-up and added that she was grateful to the voters of Stoneham for their support.
"As a freshman member, I think I'll have to get up to speed on some of the issues," she said. "I think I can listen. I think I can make some new decisions. We have to keep working with the kids on the academic process because they'll be taking the MCAS in May.
"I think going out and talking to people helped (in her victory). I made a point to go out and visit people. I think that was really helpful," she continued. "I'm exhilarated for myself. I'm very flattered and thrilled that the people of Stoneham had confidence in me."
Craigie said that the choice of Superintendent Joseph Connelly last year was a major accomplishment but, despite her past three terms on the committee, the work never gets easier.
"It doesn't because the issues change every week. Unanticipated things happen. You don't go in every day and have the same routine business, but we have a wonderful superintendent. I really look forward to continuing to work with him. We've chosen a good one and I'm very proud that we brought him to our town."
As for Chairman Gucciardi, Craigie says that she and her other female members will try to take it easy on him.
"It will be a different mix. The chair has served the town well," she said. "I won't harass him."
In other election news, Martin Louis Way resident William Jordan won his uncontested bid for the lone available seat on the Board of Assessors. Jordan, a first-timer on the board, garnered 2,050 votes.
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