Viselli, Doherty take open seats
Published on April 4th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - In a huge showing from the Precinct 3 home of election candidates Dan Doherty, Joe Viselli and Tony Kennedy, Viselli and Doherty became the newest members of the School Committee and Board of Health respectively after 3,032 ballots (21 percent of Stoneham's 14,243 registered voters) from Stoneham's Tuesday election had been cast and counted.
The race was close in many of the districts between newcomers Viselli and Shelley MacNeill, but Viselli managed (330 votes) a 3-1 victory over MacNeill (107 votes) in his home district that basically decided the race.
Overall, Viselli topped the School Committee ticket and will take over Kristin Russo's post after collecting 1138 votes, while MacNeill placed second with 899 votes and Michelle Meagher finished third with 515 votes - while Stephen Dapkiewicz, who dropped out of the race prior to the April election, still received 204 votes.
Viseilli was happy with the first time experience running for public office, and hoped to bring his private global business acumen to the world of the Stoneham school system.
"I really thought as I watched everyone out there holding signs and getting involved that this was a pretty exciting day, and one that everyone should be proud of," said Viseilli, who was a day-long presence at the polls outside Town Hall. "It was a great day and had the kind of energy that this town really needs.
"I really thought that my corporate background and my ability to think outside the box were things that resonated with voters and allowed me to win the race," added Viselli. "I'm really looking forward to getting involved with the School Committee and starting the learning process immediately."
MacNeill managed a solid campaign in her first political effort, and didn't rule out again pulling papers for office if the right opportunity should present itself."The only thing that could have been better yesterday is if the sun had come out," said a laughing MacNeill. "This was a great experience for both myself and my family, and I think it really gave my kids a great education as to how the government process and election process work.
"My parents weren't extremely political people, so getting involved in politics has been a learning experience for me for quite some time now," said MacNeill. "I was overwhelmed by the support I received and the nice notes and comments from people I didn't even know as I was campaigning for office. This is time when people really need to come together for the betterment of the town, and I really think days like yesterday help us to do that."
In a hotly contested race for an empty Board of Health seat, Forest Street resident Dan Doherty - who had previously run unsuccessful bids for Selectmen and School Committee - was victorious in a tight win over Ernest Paul Sacco. Once again Precinct 3 was a difference-maker, as Doherty beat Sacco by a 2-1 margin in his home territory and overall garnered 1407 votes while Sacco finished with 1249 votes.Sacco didn't return a phone call from the Stoneham Independent as of press time seeking comment about the election results or any recount possibilities, and Doherty was happy to be on the victorious side of an election for the first time.Doherty believed his performance at the candidate events as well as the name recognition from the last two elections may have helped get him over the hump for the Board of Health posted vacated by incumbent Ben DiRusso.
"As a former athlete I've been on the winning end and losing end of things many times, but it definitely feels good to come out on the winning end of an election. Paul Sacco was a formidable opponent and I really thought this was a very tight race.
"I think we were both pretty equal in signage, but I thought I did a pretty good job of getting my message and my experience out there during the Candidate's Night and during the candidate statements. I'm pretty excited and grateful that I was elected to the Board of Health and I'm really looking forward to getting in there and getting involved."
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