Election 2002 analyzed by the candidates
Published on April 10th, 2002
STONEHAM, MA–Does good weather mean a large turnout? Not always. Does a low turnout mean the voters endorse the status quo. Not necessarily.
In the April 2, 2002, Town Election, around 17 percent of registered Stoneham voters narrowly re-elected August Niewenhous to the Planning Board over former Board of Appeals Chairman Chuck DeCoste and replaced incumbent Selectman Darin Leahy with Charles Smith. Edward Pinato, a longtime resident and former Stoneham police officer beat out Elizabeth Parise for the open Housing Authority seat.
Deciphering any code from the vote or coherent message from the people is difficult. But the candidates tried to make some sense of it all.
Niewenhous said he believes that the people respect his proven track record as a member of the Planning Board. The race was close, and in response to a question about what he plans to focus on in office, Niewenhous mentioned working on the sign bylaw, an area his opponent, DeCoste, had mentioned during the campaign. This highlights the similarity of these candidates.
But Niewenhous was already on the job, doing a good job in voters eyes, according to Niewenhous’ analysis, which sounds logical.
DeCoste couldn’t be reached before press time.
Niewenhous attributed the poor turnout to civic burnout.
“I think most people felt like they had discharged their civic duty after going out to both nights of the Special Town Meeting,” Niewenhous said. He added a “thank you” to everyone who did come out, especially his supporters.
Smith agreed with Niewenhous’ theory.
“People were a little frazzled from the schools vote,” he said.
And he said the lack of competition may have kept turnout low.
“We only had three contested races, a total of six candidates going for them,” Smith said. “Maybe more candidates would mean more voters.”
Smith was happy with the results, however.
“The people wanted a new voice, and I’m ready,” Smith said. “I want to look at finances long term and be proactive.”
Leahy wished Smith good luck and openly credited Smith’s campaign.
“He ran a better campaign,” Leahy said.
Although the chairmen of the Town’s three main elected boards — Selectmen, Planning Board and School Committee — have come back from defeat, Leahy said he has no plans at this time.
And as for the turnout, he offered another common sense hypothesis: “People are busy.”
Pinato agreed with Smith’s opinion that a lack of competition yielded a low turnout. And he shared Leahy’s logic about what it took to win the race.
“I think I won because I worked harder,” Pinato said.
Parise said she learned a lot from the race and is determined to help the elderly of Stoneham in some capacity.
“If there are ever openings on the Council on Aging, I would look at that,” she said.
Parise thanked all her supporters for their help and congratulated her opponent.
She said many people she spoke with simply forgot about the election.
Town Clerk John Hanright agreed with Parise and said Stoneham officials should organize a public information campaign.
“The elected and appointed officials of this Town must come together to get the word out and educate people,” Hanright said. “We get calls at the office asking for directions to City Hall or for the aldermen.” (Stoneham as we know is a town with selectmen.)
Two unopposed candidates, Cheryl Walsh and David Sheils, were elected to the School Committee for the first time in the April 2 election. Sheils had served a one-year appointed term, filling Mary Pecoraro’s seat after she was elected Selectman in 2001. Walsh leaves the Central School PTL to join the Committee.
“I disagree that the Special Town Meeting lowered the turnout,” Walsh said. “I would think that would energize people.”
She said she didn’t know why turnout was low, perhaps the best answer. But the people are energetic.
“The calls have already started,” Walsh said with a laugh. “I expected that though, and I’m ready.”
She thanked her campaign group and said she wants to hear from the community about anything people consider important.
Sheils thanked his supporters as well but said he wished more people had come out to vote. But he did discern a message from the election.
“I think the people are asking for some changes,” Sheils said. “A new Selectman was elected this year and last year.”
As a newly elected official with some experience in the trenches, Sheils said cooperation among boards is key.
“The School Committee and the Selectmen must listen to the people,” he said.
The people have spoken, or at least 17 percent, and the candidates have responded. Whatever messages are being sent, now is the time for clear communication and hard work to get the best for Stoneham.
Town department budgets were discussed Tuesday and Wednesday night. More on the new folks at work next week.
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