Presidetial Election still unknown, but we do know...
Published on November 8th, 2000
STONEHAM, MA - The Presidential race is too close to call with the whole thing riding on the final numbers out of Florida. The winner in the Sunshine State will be the next President of the United States. Bush has a slight lead, but votes are being recounted and thousands of absentee ballots are outstanding.
Looking at the local scene, incumbent Democrat Paul Casey defeated Republican challenger Michael Rotondi in a wild Rep's race. For residents of Stoneham precincts 1, 2 and 3, Casey is still the Rep.
Residents of precincts 4, 5 and 6 reelected Michael Festa , who was unopposed, as their State Rep.
Seventy-four percent of the 15,212 registered voters in Stoneham (11,286) had their say at the polls. Considering only "active" voters — voters who filled out 2000 Census forms — the turnout was 11,032 out of 14,018, or 79 percent.
Eighty percent turned out in Reading, 86 percent in Winchester.
Massachusetts turnout was unofficially above 70 percent.
Nationally the 2000 election has drawn higher than average numbers because the race is the closet since John Kennedy's victory over Richard Nixon in 1960.
Ted Kennedy was reelected to the US Senate.
Ed Markey was reelected to the US Congress in the Seventh District.
Michael Callahan was reelected as Councillor in the Sixth District.
Richard Tisei was reelected as State Senator in the Third Middlesex District.
Edward Sullivan was reelected as Clerk of Courts.
Eugene Brune was reelected as Middlesex Register of Deeds.
John Buonomo was elected as Middlesex Register of Probate.
Anthony DeTeso was reelected as Stoneham's representative to the Northeast Voke School Committee.
The Questions
District lines will be drawn two not four years after each federal census (Yes on Question 1).
Mass felons cannot vote anymore (Yes on Question 2).
The dogs tracks are still in business (No on Question 3).
The income tax will be rolled back to five percent over three years (Yes on Question 4).
There will be no major overhaul of Mass healthcare yet (No on Question 5).
People who use the tolls still cannot get a refund on their excise taxes (No on Question 6).
But people who make charitable contributions can now deduct the amount from their state taxes (Yes on Question 7).
The cops can still keep drug money (No on Question 8).
What the candidates said
Rotondi was unable to unseat 12-year incumbent and Winchester local Casey, but Rotondi, a Stoneham native, is proud of his effort.
"I had a great experience campaigning, meeting people and becoming closer to the community," Rotondi said. "I have no regrets."
Rotondi attributed his loss in part to the monumental task of defeating a Democratic incumbent in a Presidential election year in which the Democratic candidate for President won big in the district.
He also credited Casey's focused effort in Stoneham.
Rotondi said he will continue to serve Stoneham as Town Moderator and continue work toward his master's degree at Tufts.
As for future runs at political office, Rotondi said, "You never know what life holds." He thanked everyone who worked with him on this go 'round.
Casey was at a meeting in Stoneham Wednesday morning. He did not return calls in time for this edition, but his State House staffer Mike Auerbach said, "Everyone is excited to continue working with Paul."
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!