Selectmen’s Race Makes for Interesting Politics

For many political observers, this election season was an interesting one, especially in the selectmen's race. 

Due to language in the most recent charter revision, described by most as an error, political parties were able to field just two selectmen candidates in addition to the first selectman. 

Republicans backed current First Selectman candidate and incumbent Richard Barlow and former police chief Lowell Humphrey is running as an unaffiliated candidate. The Democrats did not field a candidate for first selectman and Lou Daniels ran for a while as a petitioning Republican but dropped out due to work commitments. 

And despite the limited selectmen options from the party perspective, the ballot contained numerous choices. 

In all seven candidates put their hat into the ring for the four selectmen seats, including Republican nominated Steve Roberto and David Gilchrist and Democratic endorsed Tom Sevigny and George Thimot. 

In addition, current selectmen Marc Cerniglia is running as an unaffiliated petitioning candidate. Republican Kevin Jackson is seeking a post as a petitioning candidate and Ben Holden garnered the Green Party nomination.

But even with seven choices for selectmen, voters can only pick two choices. To make things more interesting the losing first selectman candidate drops into the pool and could "bump" another candidate, making for number of possibilities. 

"I have no idea what's going to happen," Cerniglia said. "I don't think anyone knows just because of all the idiosyncrasies of the charter." 

Democratic Committee Chairwoman Mary Tomolonius, also a Board of Finance candidate, said the number running for selectmen certainly shows some dissatisfaction and a high level of interest in local government. 

"I think people care about what's going on in town," she said. 

She did say she wished that more Democratic candidates would come forward. The party did not field a first selectman candidate and Thimot was a late entry in the race, replacing Jim Bixler. 

She feels part of the issue is the four-year commitment but the party does hope to field more candidates next election. 

"I'd love to have more Democrats and I'd like to have more women," she said. "We will be regrouping and trying to figure out how to get additional candidates involved." 

But whatever the party, Republican Town Committee Chairman Brian First said all the candidates truly care about the town. 

"I appreciate that everyone ran spirited but gracious campaigns," he said. "They all care about the community." 

Polls are open until 8 p.m. at Canton Town Hall in Collinsville.