Local ballots set for Nov. 6

REGION — With the passage of the filing deadline in South Portland Monday, the ballots are set for municipal elections, to be held in conjunction with the Nov. 6 presidential vote.

There are competitive races in Scarborough, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, in part because longtime leaders in all three municipalities have chosen to step down.

SCARBOROUGH

In what may be the most competitive race, four hopefuls are vying for one of two, three-year seats on the Town Council. They include incumbent Jessica Holbrook and general contractor Paul Andriulli, making his second run at a council seat. They are joined by Christopher Coon and Edward Blaise.

The resignation of Karen D’Andrea last month to concentrate on her nonprofit work also sets up a race to fill the final two years of her term, pitting, William Donovan against Katherine St. Clair.

There are exactly three candidates for three school board seats, including Donna Beeley, Christopher Caiazzo and incumbent Jacquelyn Perry. School board Chairman Robert Mitchell chose not to run again, after serving nine of the last 12 years. He will remain a member of the Wentworth Building Committee. Another incumbent, Jane Wiseman, did submit papers to run again, but according to the town clerk’s office, pulled her nomination on Friday, citing time constraints of a new business venture.

Incumbents Nick Rico and Ben Viola are the only two candidates for two seats on the Sanitary District Board of Trustees.

The Scarborough ballot also will include a $900,000 bond question, as the town seeks voter permission to buy a new ladder truck for the fire department. The truck already is included in the 2012-2013 capital improvement project budget approved in May by town councilors. However, a voter nod is required because proposed borrowing is for more than $400,000.

CAPE ELIZABETH

The decision of Town Council Chairwoman Sara Lennon to not run leaves three candidates for three seats, including incumbents Jessica Sullivan and Jim Walsh, as well as local attorney Jamie Wagner, owner of the Local Buzz café on Route 77.

Lennon, who recently joined the board of the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation and is the new co-president of the High School Parents Association, said she was “tempted” to run for a third term, but ultimately decided the council needs “a fresh face.”

“I'm delighted that Jamie Wagner will take my seat,” she said. “He will be a superb addition to the council.”

Wagner is representing neighbors of the Spurwink Rod and Gun Club on Sawyer Road, who have complained of noise and safety issues, appearing as recently as last week on their behalf before the council. Wagner would not say precisely how he intends to handle the case once elected, saying via email, “I will follow the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, which dictates ethical standards for attorneys.  

“I will also speak with the current members of the Town Council and the Town Manager with regards to the practice of the Town Council in these types of situations,” wrote Wagner.

Town Manager Michael McGovern declined to say Tuesday how Wagner’s involvement in the gun club issue might be handled, refusing even to say of any existing ordinance, charter provision or council ethics policy in Cape Elizabeth addresses the apparent conflict of interest.

“I do not comment about council candidates or join in speculation about what should occur if they are elected,” he said. “Further, I do not involve myself in any issue involving any claim of conflict of interest for an elected official.  These issues are handled by the town attorney giving advice to the Town Council. The Town Council has not sought advice on the question.” 

Potentially compelling if more competitive, is the school board race, with five candidates for three seats, including William Gross and Michael Goulding, as well as incumbents John Christie, David Hillman, Mary Williams-Hewitt.

SOUTH PORTLAND

Linda Cohen is the only candidate for the District 4 seat on the City Council, which Maxine Beecher was forced to vacate because of term limits. Meanwhile, incumbent Rosemarie De Angelis received a late challenge in District 3. As late as Sept. 5 she was seemingly the only person running, but Melissa Linscott took out papers on Sept. 7, collected signatures over the weekend, and submitted them in time for the Monday deadline.

South Portland’s school board races feature a dearth of candidates. Incumbent Richard Matthews is running unopposed in District 3 while board Chairman Tappan Fitzgerald is similarly unopposed in District 5.

With James Gilboy not submitting papers to run again, District 4 had no candidate on the ballot. Gilboy did not respond to calls or emails asking while he stepped aside.

According to Town Clerk Susan Mooney, the lack of a candidate leaves the door open to a write-in candidacy, with the City Council free to offer the three-year post to the top vote-getter.

There appears to be a conflict of opinion in how to fill another seat, however. On Sept. 7, Jeff Selser resigned his at-large seat on the school board to accept a coaching job at Mahoney Middle School. Mooney said on Monday that the City Council may appoint someone to fill the seat until the next election, and that the council could call a special election as soon December in conjunction with the expected resignation of City Council member Tom Coward.

As the only candidate for Cumberland County Commissioner for District 4, Coward presumably will resign his council seat on his ascension to higher office, leaving the council to call a special election to fill out the remaining two years on his term.

However, School Superintendent Suzanne Godin said Tuesday via email that voters should not expect to see Selser’s seat appear on that same ballot. Whomever gets the council nod, she said, will serve to the next regular municipal election in November 2013.