By Beth David, Editor
It looks like Fairhaven may have some bona fide contested races this election. Candidates have until February 28 to withdraw from their names, so until that date, there is still a possibility that the field will change.
The Board of Public Works has three candidates for two seats. Incumbents Robert “Hoppy” Hobson and Keith Silvia will run to keep their seats, while newcomer Albert Martin will try to unseat one of them.
The Board of Health has a race, too. With incumbent Lindsay Graham out of the race because she moved out of town, the open seat will be battled over by former Selectboard member Michael Silvia and Commissioner of Trust Funds member Barbara Acksen, who held a BOH seat for one term. Both are well known in town and have held a number of elected and appointed seats throughout the years.
In a bit of an unusual twist, there is a real race for Tree Warden. Incumbent Brian Bowcock, a former long-time Selectboard member, has held the seat for one term. A chiropractor by trade, Dr. Bowcock said he ran last time because no one else stepped up when long-time Tree Warden Antone Medeiros decided not to run. This time around Dr. Bowcock will face G. Bourne Knowles IV, a well known call firefighter in town whose family owns G. Bourne Knowles & Company, a complete tree and landscape that, which has been in his family since 1961.
Selectboard member Bob Espindola is running unopposed for his seat; and moderator Mark Sylvia has no challenger for his seat. Other uncontested races include two seats for School Committee, with both incumbents, Donna McKenna and Colin Veitch, returning papers; incumbent Colleen Sylvia for Commissioner of Trust Funds; for Housing Authority, incumbent Gregory Tutcik will run unopposed for his seat, and sitting HA member John Farrell will run to finish out the unexpired term he was appointed to.
For Planning Board, there is only one candidate for two seats. Incumbent Peter Nopper did not take out seats to run for re-election for his seat. PB member John Farrell, is running for re-election, in addition to running for the unexpired term on Housing Authority.
Anyone who wants to run a write-in campaign for the empty seat should call Town Clerk Eileen Lowney at 508-979-4023, Ext. 3.
Tuesday, March 13, 2018, is the last day for town residents to register to vote in the town election. The clerk’s office will be open until 8 p.m. that day.
Candidates night scheduled
The annual candidates night held by Government/Cable Access, Channel 18, will be held on Wednesday, 3/7, at the Fairhaven Senior Center, 229 Huttleston Avenue, at 7 p.m.
The event will be moderated by members of the local press. If the format remains the same as in past years, candidates will be allowed an opening statement; and each reporter will ask one question of each candidate.
The event will be recorded by cable access and will run on Channel 18 until the election. It will also be available online through the town’s website: www.fairhaven-ma.gov
Please forward any questions to Pattie, Cable Access Administrative Assistant, billing@fairhaventv.com
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