Charlie Mitchell and Louise Barteau hold signs for Barbara Acksen for Board of Health in Fairhaven on election day, 4/2/18. The two met four years ago on election day, holding signs for candidates, and are still in a relationship today. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
In a big surprise, challenger and newcomer to politics, Albert N. Martin, Jr. tied with incumbent Robert “Hoppy” Hobson in Fairhaven’s local election on Monday, 4/2, for the Board of Public Works. Each candidate received 338 votes. A total of 713 people voted, a 6.24% turnout, according to unofficial numbers. Results will be certified in a few days. The morning snow may have contributed to the low turnout, even though the snow was pretty much gone by mid afternoon.
Two seats were up for re-election in the BPW race, with both incumbents, Mr. Hobson and Keith Silvia, running to retain their seats.
ABOVE: Al Martin, who is tied with Robert “Hoppy” Hobson for the BPW, addresses voters on Monday, 4/2, after the voting was done. Photo by Beth David.
Even Mr. Martin seemed a bit stunned by the news as he waited at Town Hall to get the results first hand. He also took advantage of the opportunity to speak to the voters directly via Government Access TV, a tradition in Fairhaven that goes back to the first year the medium existed in town. Mr. Hobson did not go to town hall on Monday night.
“It really surprised me,” Mr. Martin told voters, that he “wound up” in a tie with a long time board member.
He said he was hoping that he would win out, “I’ll fight to the end.”
Later in the evening, Mr. Martin reiterated his surprise.
“I’m feeling good. It’s my first time out and I tied a legend,” he said. “I know a lot of people know who I am.”
Mr. Martin is retired from the Fairhaven Highway Department.
He said that he thought he would be battling it out for second place with Keith Silvia, not Mr. Hobson. Mr. Silvia received 480 votes.
“I didn’t think it would be close with Hoppy,” said Mr. Martin.
Mr. Hobson said he went to town hall on Tuesday and ran into Mr. Martin there, as they tried to figure out the next step.
“I said ‘why don’t we just flip a coin,’” said Mr. Hobson, but they wouldn’t let them do that.
L-R: Fairhaven Assistant Town Clerk Carolyn Hurley and Town Clerk Eileen Lowney punch in the numbers on Monday, 4/2/18, when the town election resulted in a tie for the Board of Public Works. Photo by Beth David.
Mr. Hobson took out the papers for a recount.
If the recount results in another tie, or “failure to elect,” then the BPW and the Selectboard will have a joint meeting and vote to appoint someone. It is unclear if it has to be one of the candidates, or if the two boards can choose anyone.
In 2013, when a problem with the hand counts resulted in a failure to elect on the Board of Health, a judge ruled that the town had to hold a special election. In that case, one candidate was ahead, then the hand counts put the other candidate ahead by one vote. But a ballot that was not marked correctly put that one-vote margin at risk, so the judge ruled that the town should hold a special election.
Hand counts are ballots that are rejected by the machine because it cannot read them for a variety of reason. This year, the first count had Mr. Martin up by three votes, 337-334. After the hand counts, it was tied at 338.
Mr. Hobson blamed low turnout for his poor showing in the vote count. He said he did not campaign much, but he did go to the candidate nights and did take advantage of the free publicity offered by the Neighb News. He also ran a couple of small ads.
Mr. Hobson credited Mr. Silvia’s big win to having the “machine” behind him, noting the support of long-time politician Mike Silvia, who won a seat on the Board of Health by a large margin, and was on the Selectboard for years.
“If I knew I’d have had to campaign more, I would have,” said Mr. Hobson.
Mr. Hobson has to get 10 certified signatures from each of the six precincts; one signature from each precinct has to be notarized; and he has to return those papers by April 12.
Mike Silvia, who won his bid for a seat on the Fairhaven Board of Health, addresses voters after the results were announced on Monday, 4/2. Photo by Beth David.
In the other contested race in Fairhaven, for Board of Health, Barbara Acksen lost 247-444 to former Selectboard member Mike Silvia, who has not held office for a few years. He explained at candidate nights that family pressures caused him to leave public life, but now he is ready to serve again.
On Monday, he thanked Dr. Acksen for being a “gracious opponent” who ran a “civil campaign.”
Mr. Silvia said he enjoyed talking with his opponents’ supporters, too, and that everyone was “cordial.”
He thanked the voters for “welcoming me back to public life in Fairhaven.”
Later in the evening Mr. Silvia said his immediate goal will be to get to know the new health agent better, and learn more about restaurant inspections and other areas under the board’s authority.
Ms. Acksen also addressed voters, thanking her supporters and those who voted for her.
“Hopefully next year the sun will be shining and more people will come out, because we need more democracy,” said Ms. Acksen.
Later in the evening she said the weather was definitely a factor, but that Mr. Silvia also had the “larger organization.”
Keith Silvia also addressed voters, thanking his family, people who put signs on their lawns and former BPW member Kathy Sturtevant for her support and help organizing.
He said he looked forward to working with the board, “whoever it is,” referring to the tie.
Selectboard member Bob Espindola ran unopposed for his third term. He thanked voters and his wife, Ann, noting that it was their 32nd anniversary.
He thanked the people who supported him in the past, and said, “I look foward to another three years.”
Barbara Acksen holds signs outside of the Fairhaven Recreation Center, the polling place for precincts 5 and 6, on Monday, 4/2. Dr. Acksen lots her bid for a seat on the Board of Health. Photo by Beth David.
Later in the evening, Mr. Espindola reiterated the mantra: “Every vote counts.”
“We know every vote counts,” repeated Mr. Espindola, and thanked everyone who did show up to vote. “It’s important to show up.”
Donna McKenna won her third term to the School Committee, also running unopposed. She told voters it has been a “terrific six years.”
She said she thought of the School Committee as family.
She said the new Town Administrator form of government has been good for the school system, and praised Mark Rees, the TA. She said everyone is getting along with each other and that is good for everyone.
Selectboard member Charles Murphy emceed the Government Access TV portion of the program on Monday.
“It just goes to show that every vote counts,” said Mr. Murphy.
He thanked everyone for running, “whether you run or lost.”
Earlier in the evening, Mr. Murphy also served as a second witness when Ms. Lowney had to open up two boxes of ballots. Hand counts are supposed to go into a separate envelope and not sealed up with the ballots. But the poll workers at two precincts had sealed up the envelopes. Registrar Nils Isaaksen unsealed the boxes with Mr. Murphy standing by, and the press and a few residents on the other side of the counter. Ms. Lowney retrieved the envelopes only to discover they were empty.
No other races were contested in Fairhaven, and a seat on the Planning Board is vacant. For School Committee, Collin Veitch was also re-elected. Other races included: Colleen Silvia, Commissioner of Trust Funds; John Farrell, Planning Board; John Farrell and Gregory Tutcik for Housing Authority, with Mr. Farrell’s seat being for an unexpired term; Mark Sylvia, Moderator; G. Bourne Knowles IV, Tree Warden. •••
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